<p>OK so I'm taking a trip to california this February with my mom to look at colleges, since I'm pretty sure that's where I want to go. Ideally, I'd want to go somewhere in southern cali (it's warmer). So far, we're planning on looking at the claremont schools (pomona, scripps, maybe claremont mckenna), USC, UC Berkley, Stanford, and maybe UCLA. I'm pretty new to the whole college-search thing, so am I missing any good schools in cali? I don't want to go to a christian college and Occidental seems too small for me. Also, what are my chances of getting in to Pomona or Scripps? They're my top choices right now.
Oh, and here's a little about me:
Junior this year
GPA= 3.93
APs= 5 on AP world last year
4 in AP bio last year
Currently in AP calc, spanish, and language: anticipating a 5 in calc and lang, and a 4 in spanish
Going to take AP stats, lit, and environmental science senior year.
SATs= haven't taken a real one yet, but getting around 2100 on practices (740 reading, 700 writing 690 math...ish)
800 on bio subject test
730 on world history subject test</p>
<p>For extracurricular stuff, i'm a competitive figure skater year-round (not really good tho, lol) and i'm the co-pres of the nonprofit organization Yard Sale for Cancer. I'm involved in youth group and tennis as well.</p>
<p>Yeah... i know i need more leadership stuff, lol.</p>
<p>Oh, and also, how long should i take to do the claremont schools? 1 full day for school seems excessive... especially considering i only have a week to do all of cali!</p>
<p>Play up the competitive figure skating, seriously. Aim for 2200+ (practice math a lot) for Pomona. Not necessary but helpful. With a 2100 SAT you will definitely get into Scripps.</p>
<p>Well money IS an object- a big one- and I don’t compete so much anymore, because it’s so expensive. Basically, I can’t go anywhere out of state- so anywhere in california- unless i get a decent scholarship (and i mean one that leaves my family with no more than $15-20,000 tuition to pay ourselves. Seriously.)</p>
<p>I’ll aim to pull up my SATs for sure. I’m thinking about majoring in zoology or animal science (i want to be a vet probably).</p>
<p>mom2collegekids, i feel like the UC schools in general don’t let in many people from out-of-state, or give our much scholarship money. Am i wrong?</p>
<p>And I’m Jewish so I don’t think I’d be comfortable at LMU…</p>
<p>Do you guys think i stand a shot at Pomona?</p>
<p>Also, I know Berkeley and Stanford aren’t in southern CA, but we’re looking at them anyways because who knows? Maybe i’ll fall in love with one of them…Bekeley is supposed to be gorgeous, especially… but yeah I’m mostly focused on the Claremont schools for now.</p>
<p>I’ve ruled out Pitzer and Claremont Mckenna mostly because i heard the people at CM are really homogenous and politically active (which i’m not) and pitzer just seems kind of… hippyish… based off what i’ve heard, that is. But am i overgeneralizing? Maybe I could give one or both of them a look if there’s a good reason to…</p>
<p>CMC is not totally filled with politically active people. I know someone who went there who wasn’t politically active. California doesn’t really have the kind of good liberal arts colleges that the east coast has. Most people go to the UC’s and if they want a top private they go to Stanford, the Claremont colleges, or USC as you have already mentioned. There are colleges that might offer you money like Redlands or Chapman. The Catholic schools are really the next best option after the tippy-top schools. Santa Clara, Univ of San Diego, Univ of SF, LMU. There are a few Jewish kids there.</p>
<p>I’m not quite comprehending…are you from CA or not?</p>
<p>
</p>
<p>I thought you implied you were a CA resident in bold I, but in bold II, you weren’t.</p>
<p>If you’re not a CA resident and $ is a large concern, then X-out the UCs.</p>
<p>I know of plenty of Jewish students who went to LMU, but for their law school which is detached in downtown LA. Undergrad, I’m sure probably at least some, but not as many.</p>
<p>The only way a UC school would be feasible is if you were from an area where, say, Cal and UCLA were strong out of state, in say, NY or generally the tri-state region of CT, NY, NJ or DC. THen you could approach the alumni assn for those regions about private scholies.</p>
<p>And UC schools are looking for larger non-resident enrollment in the future esp, Cal and UCLA. But they’re looking for full-tuition payers, which wouldn’t be hurt by private non-school related scholies.</p>
<p>All of the religious schools in California are way too conservative (I guess that’s how they should be though).
Living in San Diego, I’d suggest visit UCSD.</p>
<p>Do not go to any of the Claremont Colleges if you want to major in zoology or animal science. As far as I know none of the colleges offer these majors. However, this does not mean you cannot be a vet…</p>
<p>drax12, sorry for the confusion, but no i’m not a CA resident. Also, yeah that’s why I’m thinking the UC schools are a long shot- tuition is so high for out-of-staters, and they give out very little aid. And I live in Washington, which isn’t one of the areas you mentioned that has strong out-of-state enrollment.</p>
<p>Yes, i know some non-Catholic people go to to those schools, but I really don’t think I’d be comfortable there anyways.</p>
<p>I’ve heard Chapman isn’t that good of a school actually, and also that it’s very artsy (which isn’t exactly my thing). So I haven’t really considered it as an option…</p>
<p>Really, anonymous91? I could’ve sworn they were majors… but if not, those aren’t very common majors anyways, and I could still major in biology or something to get into vet school.</p>
<p>mom2collegekids, yeah now I’m thinking there’s hardly any point in visiting the UC schools at all, since there’s really no way I could afford them without incurring an exorbitant amount of debt!</p>
<p>And I’m not totally opposed to schools with a religious association- as long as it’s not a really strong association, like at Loyola and Pepperdine (or so I’ve heard).</p>
<p>I have no idea what our EFC will be… is there a way to know that in advance, before actually filling out the FAFSA? Our family income is $80,000 before taxes (is it before taxes or after taxes that counts, for your income?) but probably around $65,000 after. Also, my sister is in college, which should help lower our EFC, right?</p>
<p>I haven’t heard much about Redlands or Whittier, but i’ll check them out…</p>
<p>Wonderful campus, wonderful location, excellent academics. Yeah, it’s a little rainy, but, the other stuff far exceeds the rain factor. You have a wonderful choice right in front of you.</p>
<p>If you were from CA and with your economic background, I’d recommend that you possibly go to community college and then later commute to the nearest UC. That way you could reduce whatever debt you might incur by the time you take your BS degree. </p>
<p>This is because you may not even be halfway done depending on your veterinary practice because of four years of vet school, followed by post-grad education and specialites.</p>
<p>A good portion of debt incurred prior to grad school might kill grad aspirations. </p>
<p>And a lot of schools are marking up their grad professional degrees because they’re in such high demand. So Davis Vet School wouldn’t be cheap for in or oos students.</p>
<p>LMU has lots of religious diversity. But it’s culturally pretty homogenous (my D is quirkier and is very happy there, but she’s often making fun of the bro’s and party girls). </p>
<p>I don’t think Whittier would be strong enough for you academically.</p>
<p>If you need money, consider Chapman, Redlands. LMU. And I wouldn’t rule out Occidental for being small-- it’s bigger than Pomona or CMC. It’s a very fine school.</p>
<p>Funny you should mention it… but i live right by UW, and there’s nothing i want more than to get away from here and somewhere warm! So that’s out.</p>
<p>researching4emb, I know Pomona and CMC are small, but at least there’s 4 other schools within walking distance! That’s the difference between it and Occidental. I feel like Occidental would be high school all over again…</p>
<p>justadream92- really?? A friend told me it’s really beautiful… but maybe that’s because she goes there and is a little biased. Thanks for letting me know!</p>
<p>Lol, I’m sorry. I’m a little biased too since we’re rivals, but not too biased. I visited Berkeley for Big Game a month ago and the campus buildings looked like prisons that haven’t been renovated since the 1950s. But def visit if you can and see for yourself.</p>