<p>Basic stats:
Hispanic (Not Puerto Rican or Mexican) female, low-income, first-generation
Attending an NJ urban high school (pretty large and overcrowded..)
SAT scores: CR: 620 Writing: 640. Math: Kinda poor. Will be retaking</p>
<p>Prospective majors: Japanese language [or Asian language/studies] and International Studies/Relations.</p>
<p>Wants in a college: </p>
<p>Not too far from a city (no rurals)
Strong in my majors
Study abroad that can be attended by anyone [financial aid transfers]
Not insanely huge in population [I am sick of over overcrowded-ness :))
Good need-based financial aid
Decent dorms
Internships abound! :P
Mid-atlantic, New England states location would be preferred but I am open-minded.</p>
<p>Not biased towards LAC or Uni, public or private.</p>
<p>My HS only offers 3 AP classes (yeah, not kidding.) I am taking 2 of them. However, I have taken the hardest classes I could (honors) and have never gotten anything below a B in any of them. Mostly As.</p>
<p>Where in the world should I apply? As to a future career, I am not entirely sure. I want those majors because I am good in languages and I already have experience in Asian ones (took Japanese, currently in Chinese) which I enjoy. Diplomacy really, really interests me.</p>
<p>you're in the middle 50% for American, bring your scores up a bit and that should become a match
U Michigan appears to have a strong program for japanese, but the middle 50% math scores are 630-730, which might be a bit high based on what you have described (ok this school might be too big for you as well)
George Mason came up as a popular school for international relations
your SAT CR is above the middle 50%, their math middle 50% is 510-610</p>
<p>Connecticut College is a fantastic school that doesnt require the SAT-1, and is actively recruiting minority applications.</p>
<ol>
<li>Not too far from a city (no rurals): a suburban town 45 minutes from New Haven, 60 minutes Hartford, from 60 minutes from Providence, 90 minutes from Boston, 2 hours from New York City.</li>
<li>Strong in my majors/Study abroad that can be attended by anyone: known for innovative international studies programs, over 50% students study abroad, great Eastern Asian Studies/International Relations departments</li>
<li>Not insanely huge in population: 1900 students on a beautiful 750 acre campus, known for closeknit and very friendly community</li>
<li>Good need-based financial aid: if you need it you will get it.</li>
<li>Decent dorms: some of the best i've seen. after freshman year you get a single. 98% of students live on campus for 4 years.</li>
<li>Internships abound!: this summer, the New York Times referred to Conn many times in an article about internship opportunities for undergrads. The Career Center will set you up with a $3,000 summer internship anywhere in the world. tons of connections in nyc, boston, dc.</li>
</ol>
<p>I'd take the ACT if I could but it isn't offered anywhere near where I live and I have no rides to places. I am trying to study for the SAT math now, but I doubt that alone I could jump into the high 600s. :P</p>
<p>Thank you for the Connecticut College suggestion! I will check it out.</p>
<p>Darn Connectict College looks perfect but they want 2 SAT IIs? I have yet to take those at all. Should I take them in December? Note that I won't be able to take them again and that will be my first time. </p>
<p>What exactly is Conn College's test policy? This is what I understood (each - is an option):</p>
<p>-SAT I
-SAT I AND 2 SAT IIs
-2 SAT IIs
-ACT</p>
<p>Look at your state public colleges because that's probably where you'll get the best financial aid. Your scores are OK, but probably not outstanding enough to get you into the private colleges that have the best financial aid for very low income students. Consequently, look at New Jersey public universities.</p>
<p>Remember, too, that travel and phone can eat up lots of your $. Just take a look around CC and see how many students are homesick while attending college far from home. That's good reason to consider in-state colleges, particularly since you'll be first generation college so will be breaking new ground in your family. If your family is poor, you also probably wouldn't get to travel home much nor would your family be able to travel to see you much.</p>
<p>I am looking into Rutgers, especially the Honors college, but the problem with a lot of the in-state schools is that they are more commuter campuses then they are residential. I want a college that has an active campus with people living there, not a suitcase college.</p>
<p>Oh and edit: my gpa is 3.98. my rank is 7/377</p>
<p>Earlham College, a LAC in Richmond, Ind. has a strong Japanese major and study abroad program. It's reasonably priced, has decent financial aid, and is interested in having a diverse student body. I believe it has fewer than 2,000 students, but look it up to make sure.</p>
<p>While it's not near a large city, it does have some of the features that you're looking for. The students tend to be laid back, not into expensive clothes or other kinds of material things. I think that you'd have a good chance of getting admitted with the kind of aid that you appear to need.</p>
<p>East coast schools, excepting the Washington DC area and the Ivy League, typically don't have strong Asian Studies programs, though their individual study abroad program may be good. On the west coast, consider the U of Washington. Probably one of the best Asian and Japanese Language and Studies Departments.</p>
<p>Other options;</p>
<p>DePaul University (Chicago), Major
Towson University (Maryland), Minor
U of Maryland Baltimore County, Minor
Temple University, Minor</p>
<p>I stand corrected; there are additional Asian/East Asian Departments (as a major) in East Coast.</p>
<p>Seton Hall University (NJ)
Florida State University
U of Pittsburgh
Wesleyan University (CT)</p>
<p>and these excellent colleges in the Midwest, which have very competitive freshman admissions; U of Wisconsin-Madison and Indiana University. You can't do much better in most any field than UW and IU. They are so-called "public ivies."</p>
<p>I actually do want to stay in the East, so thanks for your latter post. I will check out more of those programs. I am already applying to Seton Hall. </p>
<p>I think Wesleyan is a reach for me. And they require SAT IIs, I believe. Do you think it is too late for me to take them? My last chance would have to be the December ones. How well could I do when I haven't really prepared all that much for them?</p>
<p>If you are low-income and need financial aid, you schoud think about
Calvin College in Michigan, good school and give good financial aid to low incom.</p>
<p>University of Puget Sound, if you'd be ok with the Pacific Northwest, seems to fit your stats and has an EXCELLENT asian studies program, including a study abroad program that tours countries on the pacific rim.</p>