Need Help with Matches/Safeties

College Search & Selection
1

<p>I, um, posted this to the wrong forum last night, so if this looks familiar, that might be why. (And now I can't delete that other one.)</p>

<p>I've already applied to UOP, and am finishing up my UC apps to Davis, Berkeley, and UCLA. I'm chugging through the Common App and the supplements for the reach schools like Harvard and Brown, which is a very big stretch considering that my GPA is mediocre at best to below average realistically at those schools. </p>

<p>What I'm looking for now are some potential safeties or good matches beyond what I already have- and it'd be nice to have some human opinion beyond all the sales pitches!</p>

<p>My stats are as follows.</p>

<p>Southeast Asian Female, California resident
Neurosci major, or if not available, Bio with Neuro/Psych emphasis
Academic GPA(9-12): 3.3 unweighted, 3.6 weighted
Academic GPA (10-12): 3.5 unweighted, 3.9 weighted
Total GPA (9-12): 3.4 unweighted, 3.6 weighted
SAT: 2300 single sitting, 2310 individual top scores
SATII: 770 Math II, 770 Bio M, waiting on US History and English Lit but not banking on them
ACT: Did not take
8 APs completed/in progress; with AP Econ next term it would be 9
Three tests taken, 5 in all (Bio, Lang/Comp, Calculus AB)
Rank 125 out of a class of 523, or 69 going by 10-12 grades
Extracurriculars:
2 years ongoing piano lessons
Hospital Volunteer at Mercy
Academic Decathlon since 10th grade
Creative Writing Club since 11th, one of the original members though not an officer
National Merit Scholarship Competition Semifinalist</p>

<p>My parents can be expected to pitch in about $25,000 a year, and I'll be applying for financial aid and scholarships up the wazoo.</p>

<p>I'm open to most any kind of school, really, though my preference lies more towards Universities than LACs, middle sized schools, and urban over rural settings. Region... doesn't much matter, but preference for either coast more than middle of the country.</p>

2

<p>What I’m looking for now are some potential safeties or good matches beyond what I already have- and it’d be nice to have some human opinion beyond all the sales pitches!</p>

<p>:)</p>

<p>Great SAT!</p>

<p>And, you’re a NMSF. Are you applying to any schools that will give you big merit scholarships for that???</p>

<p>*
My parents can be expected to pitch in about $25,000 a year, and I’ll be applying for financial aid and scholarships up the wazoo.*</p>

<p>Anyway…since safeties don’t typically give good need-based aid, you’ll need to consider that when you pick your safeties. You’ll need schools that will give you merit aid.</p>

<p>Neuroscience major? Will you be pre-med or research?</p>

<p>Are you applying to USC?</p>

3

<p>Out of the colleges and universities listed here <a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/national-merit-scholarships/649276-nmf-scholarships-updated-compilation.html[/url]”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/national-merit-scholarships/649276-nmf-scholarships-updated-compilation.html&lt;/a&gt;, I’m only applying to USC (so yes, yes I am!)… should I look more into the others? None of them jumped out at me much when cross-referencing with a list of well known neurosci/bio schools, but then again…</p>

<p>It can go either way as far as pre-med or research… but I have much more of a leaning towards the pre-med side of things!</p>

4

<p>Well if you get the USC scholarship that would be great! That’s half tuition. You might get more from them with your 2300. </p>

<p>UCDavis is your safety, right? I think you’re good!</p>

5

<p>I agree with @mom2collegekids (as I usually do, LOL). Great stats; great prospects.</p>

6

<p>Not safeties but maybe matches would be Rice and Wash. U. Both supposed to be great for pre-med, both urban universities and Rice may have some LAC feel.</p>

7

<p>Even with the strong score, I’m afraid Davis can not be considered a safety. Their average GPA is 4.0. Maybe Santa Cruz?</p>

8

<p>Good point…missed the GPA. </p>

<p>I wonder what the UC GPA is.</p>

<p>Since the student is a NMSF, she could apply to a school that gives big merit for NMFs are her safety school.</p>

9

<p>Might look at Holy Cross and Tufts both very good for pre-med. Holy Cross is also need blind for admissions, great medical alumni network(including Nobel Prize winner),new science building and sponsored internships.</p>

10

<p>Obvious…do you know what your likely EFC will be?</p>

<p>Quick EFC - this is a rough estimate<br>
[FinAid</a> | Calculators | QuickEFC](<a href=“Your Guide for College Financial Aid - Finaid”>Quick EFC - Finaid)</p>