<p>Hi! I just signed up here and I am an incoming junior in high school. I have just started thinking about colleges and it seems that it is already time to start visiting and perhaps making a list. I was looking for advice on a list. I am interested in either film, science or social science. A good study abroad program is important to me, it would be great if I could study abroad multiple times. My current unweighted GPA is 3.9 and my weighted GPA is 4.45. I have signed up for many clubs but I have only been a consistent member of one and I intend to run to become an officer of the club next year. I am in band (will be 4 years by graduation) and marching band (will be 2 or 3 years by graduation). I was in AP euro and got a 4 on the test. I am in all honors except for CP Chinese and I am taking 3 AP's next year ( English, psych, chemistry). I volunteer through the boys and girls club and the American cancer society (as a Relay for life team captain).
Schools as I am interested in are Northwestern (high reach), USC (high reach?), NYU, Chapman, UT at Austin, University of Wisconsin- Madison, UCSC, UCSD.
Thanks in advance of any advice :)</p>
<p>What is your home state? What can your family afford? UT will cost $50K/year for an OOS student. The UCs cost AT LEAST $23K + EFC for an OOS student. And NYU FA stinks.</p>
<p>I am in California. Money is not a huge issue, but something cheaper will probably be better. I can apply for scholarships and take out loans and such.
Thanks:)</p>
<p>It is hard to give opinions until you get your standardized test scores back. But you seem to be looking at a range of schools that make sense.</p>
<p>I haven’t taken the standardized test scores back yet but would you recommend the SAT, PSAT and ACT? Or jus the SAT or ACT? GPA-and-other-information-wise what would be possible safeties? I know it is still early but I am wanting to start visiting schools. </p>
<p>Definitely try the PSAT. If you do very well you can potentially be a National Merit Finalist which opens many scholarship opportunities. If you don’t do too well then consider taking both tests. Some students do better on one over the other.</p>