Opening my mind to new schools...? Need Help

College Search & Selection
1

<p>I am a senior at a catholic high school in southeastern Indiana. I am looking for more colleges to apply to and explore outside of the "usual" schools that people attend in my area. My school counselor is somewhat clueless when it comes to schools outside of our immediate geographical area, so I thought that I would look for some advice on here : ) </p>

<p>Stats: School - It is very small (200 in the school, 50 in my class). I am ranked ~10 as of the end of my junior year, but with a 3.978 weighted GPA.
1930 SAT (planning to retake) with 630 Reading and Writing, 670 Math. Also have a 33 ACT (planning to retake) with 34 Eng, 29 Math, 33 Reading, 36 Science, 30 English/Writing combined.
I have decent extracurriculars (I think? let me know about this one) - Varsity Soccer and Golf all 4 years, All academic soccer junior year, NHS, National Society of High School Scholars, Student Council Class Rep senior year, about 50 volunteer hours, as well as work experience all 4 years during the school year and summer. Also some more random clubs and stuff.
AP Tests - took AP US History last year and got a 2 (Should I report this to schools or not?). Also taking AP Chemistry and AP Calculus this year. My school doesn't offer many AP classes. The most that I could have possibly taken in my 4 years at the school was 5 or 6. </p>

<p>I will be applying for scholarships, but only merit based ones. After filling out the form for the "estimated family contribution", it was way above the tuition for even my most expensive prospective schools. </p>

<p>Now that all that stuff is out of the way...</p>

<p>I am considering medicine, and a major in biology or another similar science field. However, I am not dead set on this, so I am looking for a school with a good science department, but one that would also allow me a little freedom if I decide to change my major/career path. </p>

<p>Another factor in my selection is location and scenery of the campus. If I decide to leave the area that I am in, I would like to be somewhere relatively close to the mountains on either the eastern coast or mountains in the west. I love skiing and being outdoors, and schools out west appeal to me a lot. However, that is just 1 factor in my selection process. </p>

<p>I think that I want to go to a big school, rather than a small one. I have visited Indiana University, Miami University, and Butler University. I didn't like Butler very much, but really liked IU and Miami's size and campuses. </p>

<p>My list of possible schools at the moment is:</p>

<p>Indiana University - "safety" school, but also appealing to me - big school, know lots of people there, not too far from home, can get 9k a year automatically for 4 years. Also very pretty
Miami University - Another one that I really liked, but it is expensive. I automatically qualify for $10,000 a year for 4 years, but it will still end up being expensive because I am out of state. Really liked the campus
Northwestern University - my "reach" school. Good school, and doesn't seem too intense for me. I looked into ivy league schools a little bit, but it seemed like the pressure at those schools could be overwhelming. Northwestern seems like it wouldn't be overwhelming, but it is still a respected school. However, they don't give merit based financial aid.
University of Virginia - Suggested by my dad. Apparently it is a very pretty campus, and a great school for undergraduate education. Looked into it and they don't give merit based financial aid and seem to highly prefer Virginia residents. Geographic location appeals to me - decent skiing/outdoor life in the area. </p>

<p>Colorado College - this schools seems a little "different". Have a funky block schedule, but it is in an AMAZING location. Haven't really looked into it too much. Any extra information about this schools would be awesome! </p>

<p>As of now, those are the only real schools that I have looked into. However, I am hoping that you guys can help to point my in the direction of some other schools, based by the information I posted on here, you think would be a decent match for me. </p>

<p>Thanks, and if I need to post any more information, let me know!</p>

2

<p>Do you need merit aid or would it just be nice? </p>

<p>Colorado College gives little merit aid as well and would be unlikely to give you any with current stats.</p>

3

<p>I’m glad you have an in-state safety you would be happy to attend. That seems to be the hard part. With that ACT Alabama would give you a Presidential Scholarship. [Out-of-State</a> Scholarships - Undergraduate Scholarships - The University of Alabama](<a href=“http://scholarships.ua.edu/types/out_of_state.html]Out-of-State”>http://scholarships.ua.edu/types/out_of_state.html) There are other guaranteed merit scholarships available: <a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/financial-aid-scholarships/848226-important-links-automatic-guaranteed-merit-scholarships.html[/url]”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/financial-aid-scholarships/848226-important-links-automatic-guaranteed-merit-scholarships.html&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

4

<p>If you like large schools and need to contain costs then IU is your best option.</p>

<p>Most of the western schools in or near the mountains are on par with IU in terms of the education you will get - schools like Univ of Colorado Boulder. Regis University in Denver is a little different because it’s Catholic and more nurturing. You might get some merit aid there because you are way above the median ACT score. You would also be in the honors program. In the east, you might look at Syracuse for it’s location in upstate NY and size. For smaller schools closer to home there’s Vanderbilt as a reach and Rhodes College as a match.</p>

5

<p>You should just submit your ACT, which is competitive at your reaches.</p>

6

<p>Might look at Holy Cross-great pre-med program and strong science majors. HC just built a $70 science building and has nice campus 1 hour from Boston. Good ski areas are less than half hour from its campus. Like Northwestern, Holy Cross has combination of academics and athletics.</p>

7

<p><a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/parents-forum/696637-merit-aid-percentage-common-data-set-6.html[/url]”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/parents-forum/696637-merit-aid-percentage-common-data-set-6.html&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

<p>Many students who are drawn to Colorado College also like Whitman College. Whitman’s average merit award is slightly lower, but they grant more than twice as many awards as CC does (to >20% of non-need students compared to about 9% at CC).</p>

<p>If your scores go up you might qualify for some merit aid at CC, but to have a shot at more than a few thousand dollars, you’ll need to consider some schools that are a little less selective. Check out Rhodes College, Earlham, and Centre College. If you really like the block plan, consider Cornell College in Iowa (which is less selective than CC, and awards more merit aid too.)</p>

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<p>^ TK21769, I’m not sure the OP needs to have much higher scores for Colorado College. His ACT is well above the 75%ile for CC (33 vs. 31). The SAT is not as good.</p>

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<p>Consider University of Utah. Right size, good medical research so there are research opportunities for UGs, in the mountains. With your stats, cost should be minimal.</p>

10

<p>Colorado College is a great choice if you are considering a smaller college. The block schedule is intense but it gives you a nice break between classes to enjoy the outdoors. The block plan is not for everyone but perfect for the right type. You may want to check out their link on CC for more specific information or questions. </p>

<p>My son garduated from Miami University and loved the experience. However, I am not sure I would Miami and the extra tuition over IU. You have some great selections to choose from.</p>