<p>So it's my junior year. I totally screwed up this semester GPA wise. I feel totally hopeless. I know I'm being melodramatic, but I (seriously) have nightmares about applying to colleges and all of them rejecting me. I have a list of 19 colleges I'm looking at (for undergrad alone), I'm trying to decide if I want to study in another country or not (it's a <em>lot</em> of work to get into UK/Canadian/Australian schools if you're coming from the messed up American public school system), which schools I can call safeties, which are matches, which are reaches, which I actually like, how I'm supposed to visit them while being broke and stuck in the middle of nowhere, what I'm actually looking for in a college, what's actually important to me, trying to find out which schools will accept my PSEO credits as college credits or just high school credits, if they accept my college credits that brings up the question of how to apply- freshman or transfer? The list of things just keeps going on and on and on. I always thought it'd be fun to pick out colleges, but so far I just keep getting more stress and less sleep. Not to mention schools that I previously had a good shot of getting into, I now have far under the average GPA. (Like I said, totally screwed up this semester). Anyone else in the same boat? Anyone who survived have any advice for me? How do I narrow down schools? How do I manage the stress? What do I if I get rejected from every school I apply to? How many should I apply to? I was thinking 2-3 reaches, 2-3 matches, and 1-2 safeties. How safe should my safe schools be? Like if my GPA is 3.6 and ACT is 33 should I apply to a school with a 3.0 and 23 ACT? Okay, sorry for the long rambling, I ramble when I'm stressed. :)</p>
<p>P.S. Class of 2014, going to major in Architecture and possibly Physics and minor in Spanish</p>
<p>Arquitecta, Don’t despair, it gets easier as you sift through the options. The first thing you have to clarify is the money. How much can you spend? Does your family qualify for need based aid? If you don’t know the answer ask your parents to use an on-line calculator to find out how much aid you may be eligible for.</p>
<p>Secondly, do some research on the type of architecture degree you’re interested in pursuing. The only the bachelors of architecture (B.Arch) allows you to practice architecture upon graduation. Some B.Arch programs require a portfolio and interview as part of the admissions process.</p>
<p>Many colleges offer a BS or BA in architecture or architectural studies. With this degree you would still need to get a B.Arch or an M.Arch in order to work as an architect in the U.S.</p>
<p>Lastly think about what you want (not just where you could get in). Big/small/medium, urban/rural/suburban, location, sporty, politically active etc? Once you identify the general culture and personality that appeals to you you can put together a list that includes several reaches matches and at least one safety.</p>
<p>If you tell us what your top choices are at this point, we can help you find others that are similar in different levels of selectivity.</p>
<p>Junior year is the right time to be working through this process. It’s not too late. Try to visit some colleges that are nearby and have different attributes – size, personality, academics. </p>
<p>How about your college counselor? Your friends? Reach out and talk about it with people who have been there and done that.</p>
<p>But most importantly start with the money.</p>
<p>I agree with momrath. First start with the money. If you need good aid look at some merit schools. <a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/financial-aid-scholarships/1348012-automatic-full-tuition-full-ride-scholarships.html[/url]”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/financial-aid-scholarships/1348012-automatic-full-tuition-full-ride-scholarships.html</a> Second, you will be a freshman applicant even if the school accepts your PSEO courses for credit. This is to your advantage (transfers students get little aid). Third, you can assess your chances by comparing your info to the Common Data Set at US schools (section C). For foreign schools see if they have a freshman profile to use.</p>