<p>Live in Arizona
High school senior
GPA=3.8 unweighted; GPA weighted 4.2
SAT (6/08) = CR 580, Math 600, Writing 500
SAT (5/08) = CR 560, Math 580, Writing 570
Exceeded all AZ AIMS tests = Arizona state tuition waiver
Legacy Northwestern
Undeclared major, but leaning toward science/health
Family has no college nest egg; will apply for aid</p>
<p>National Honor Society; freshman mentoring program; Women Scholars; community service; newspaper staff two years.
Haven't been involved in more activities, athletic, or music due to family illness and resulting circumstances and responsibilities at home. No formal job experience outside babysitting.</p>
<p>AP Euro History (A in course as soph; 1 on test=shocked)
AP Calculus (?)
AP Biology (?)
All Honors courses when offered in all other areas.
Straight A's junior year and one semester soph year, no grades lower than B. GPA unweighted 3.8.</p>
<p>I've been accepted at all three in-state schools, but they're party schools with easy admission; waiting for scholarship offers from these schools. </p>
<p>I'm not a fan of California and I'm concerned how much travel will add to my college costs if I fly out of state elsewhere. Surrounding states don't seem to offer any more challenging opportunities, unless I'm mistaken. I've already taken the SAT twice and haven't taken subject tests. With my average testing profile, are the in-state schools my best hope or can you suggest some interesting matches and dream schools out of state as well? Our in-state schools have good programs, but AZ is known as party country and I want a great education. </p>
<p>You should look at the pinned thread heading this forum, on colleges that offer great merit aid. Try to find some where your GPA will be in the upper 25% or higher among entering freshmen. Most schools have respectanble science programs, so look for good schools where partying isn't a major preoccupation.</p>
<p>Thanks Dadofsam. Since my GPA unweighted of 3.8 seems proportionately a bit higher than my CR and math SAT scores would indicate (1200), should I look more at schools based on GPA or are my SAT scores highly relevant as well? I plan on taking the ACT soon as well.</p>
<p>New Mexico Tech is good, but small, isolated, and sciences only. Colorado School of Mines is better, not as small and isolated, but close to flying range. U of Utah is good, comparable to the Arizona schools, but not as large and less partying. I like Salt Lake my year there. FWIW Mormans are a minority there, about 40-45% of the population. Prescott College in Arizona is a possibility, but rather more specialized than I think you want. UNM is similar to Utah, but is more a commuters school, and Albuquerque is not as pedestrian friendly as Salt Lake was 20+ years ago. Texas Tech is similar to UNM and Utah, but near flying distance. Lubbock is underrated by most people, but it doesn' take much to exceed most people's opinion of Lubbock.</p>
<p>Though youd have to fly, you might want to consider Smith College. It has great academics, wonderful mentoring, and a strong sense of community. Smith is part of a 5-college consortium (with Amherst, Hampshire, Mt. Holyoke and Univ Mass). You can take classes at any, and there is a free shuttle bus to get to classes and activities at the other campuses. </p>
<p>Smith has good financial aid and merit scholarships. Also, Smith no longer requires SAT or ACT scores for US applicants.</p>
<p>This is what's great about collegeconfidential...two people digest the op's desires, and one spits out Texas Tech while the other spits out Smith. It's like if a gal placed a personal ad for a boyfriend in a newspaper, and Stephen Hawking, Kevin Federline, and K.D. Lang all responded to it.</p>