<p>Just starting to look (HS class of 09). Heading to California this summer to tour. Need some suggestions as to what schools my stats fit.</p>
<p>current:
GPA weighted 3.7 unweighted 3.6 (should go up a bit by end of this year based on current classwork)
PSAT: 95% of sophomores/ PLAN (pre-ACT) 96% of sophomores
Currently taking all honors plus AP Bio (took all honors in 9th)
Grades: mostly A's a few B's
Attend a very competitive private school so class rank will most likely NOT be in top 25% (have strong feelings over this ranking practice!) </p>
<p>EC's: Ambassador/recruiter program (school leadership), Orchestra/flute choir, honor society, JV Crew -3 hrs day practice. Zoo volunteer.
Have the opportunity to take a summer university leadership program or do overseas volunteer work this coming summer. Not overly interested in the leadership program but it is a nominated admissions vs. not through the volunteer program. Any feedback here appreciated as well.</p>
<p>Just want to narrow down the search as I won't have time to tour ALL. I am very social and like to interact with lots of people but yet like the classroom connection I have with my teachers at my present small school which makes me think liberal arts schools may be a good fit (except for size!). Also prefer suburban or urban environment.</p>
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Just want to narrow down the search as I won't have time to tour ALL. I am very social and like to interact with lots of people but yet like the classroom connection I have with my teachers at my present small school which makes me think liberal arts schools may be a good fit (except for size!). Also prefer suburban or urban environment.
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<p>Sounds like Pomona and CMC are perfect for you. You get the benefit of small, individual colleges, but then 5,000 students total in the Claremont Consortium to meet.</p>
<p>CA parent here. I really feel the CMC might be a stretch for you in terms of admission. The UCs mentioned and the Calstates are very large schools..not small LACs. Take a look at: University of the Pacific, University of Redlands, Occidental College, USC. Those are just a few, I'll come up with more I'm sure. Since you say "heading out to CA" I assume you are OOS? If so, there is no advantage I can see to the UCs or Calstates as you would be paying OOS tuition.<br>
For OOS tuition, the only UCs I would consider would be the top tier: UCLA, Berkeley, and I don't think you will have the stats to get it.<br>
Please don't take anything in this post as a negative..I'm just not convinced the schools the other posters have mentioned are a good fit...(based on the limited information you can provide in this setting.)</p>
<p>I appreciate any input at this stage no offense taken at all. I talked with my college counselor today. She is from CA and attended Claremont McKenna and actually confirms your suggestions. She suggested Pitzer/Scripps of the Claremont group. Redlands, LMU, Santa Clara, Occidental and as said before Stanford as a far reach. This is based on where students with similar stats from my HS actually got accepted and enjoy their colleges. She did not suggest UC's due to the OOS status. I visited UW (Washington) and really liked it but not sure about the huge lecture undergrad classes. That would take the place of the UC's as I would be in state. If you have anymore suggestions please feel free to add.
Thanks!</p>
<p>Well, nbg127, I was just going to post, but I was going to say more or less EXACTLY what your last post did! CMC and Pomona seem like they'll be definite reaches, Scripps might end up being a slight reach or high match (but definitely seems within regular match range), and Pitzer will also be good to look at. Beyond that, I'd recommend looking into LMU, Occidental, Redlands, and Santa Clara, as you say. Also: St. Mary's (probably safety), University of San Francisco, University of the Pacific, University of San Diego, and perhaps Chapman. USC might also make a reasonable reach (but definitely able to be turned into a match over the course of time) for you, and fit the bill of "very social, want lots of people"/"like small classes, personal attention." I don't know the stats for a few of those off the top of my head, but I'm pretty sure they'll all be in a more or less reasonable range. Double check, though!</p>
<p>Note that a LOT of things will/can change between now and your actual college search. GPA can go up a LOT, your SAT scores will be very influential, you have plenty of time for EC development, and so forth, not to even mention changes in your own personal tastes and preferences. It's great that you're starting to look right now, but it's almost impossible to tell you what is and isn't within your reach. Get an idea now of what you like now, while you still have a fair bit of time to strive for it!</p>
<p>Also: I'd personally recommend service abroad. Ten times over. On the one hand, yes, it says something that you were nominated for this leadership program. On the other hand, it says a lot that you'll be choosing to spend your summer doing service in a unique environment (I assume, though you haven't specified). Do what will make you happier, knowing that it will also happen to look very nice on an application.</p>