<p>nyermom, yabeyabe2, and anniezz - thank you so much! Temple is now on our list, and with so many schools we’ve been introduced to recently being in OH and PA, we’re now planning visits to those two states. Rutgers and Philly UOS were already on my list, but not really on her radar.</p>
<p>I know Brown is out, but I’m wondering if it’s a rejection she needs to help her keep her eyes on the PharmD prize while she’s an undergraduate? Is that cruel?</p>
<p>She said last night that if it’s not a Rhode Island school then she definitely wants to be a big fish in a small pond, so if she has a chance at being an honors student in a less selective school she’ll jump on it as long as the money is there.</p>
<p>I should add something about her low ACT score, if it matters. When she went as a sophomore to register for dual enrollment classes, they noticed she hadn’t taken it, so she took the ACT Residual on the spot. She was far from happy (or fed or rested for that matter), but I’m slightly comforted in the fact that the score isn’t reported anywhere.</p>
<p>Cb, if you are heading up to OH and PA, I believe Ohio State has a strong pharmacy program and if either Pitt or Penn State offers pharmacy, those are good options generally. Note that the 2 Philly schools and Pitt will not offer the large amounts of green space that many associate with college, but both cities offer a great deal of activity.</p>
<p>cbreeze, I am the parent of a 3.0 2012 student (actually a bit under the 3.0.) IMHO, we did a great job of choosing schools that he would be successful (and wanted…) at. He is not an URM, but an okay athlete. In the college arena, we (3.0ish parents/students need to shift our focus from the schools “we” want to the schools that want “us.”</p>
<p>Basically, steer clear of the super-selective schools- including not just the Ivy League, but any school that admits less than 25% of their applicants. Once you realize this, you will find there are numerous wonderful, fabulous, amazing schools that want our fantastic kids. </p>
<p>Figure out what your child has “to offer” a school. Are they trying to grow there volleyball team? Are they looking to increase their racial diversity? Do they need to grow in geographic diversity? Are they lacking in computer science nerds? Whatever your child may have to offer… there are schools that need him/her. Seek them out and apply there. That is the way to gain acceptances and even merit money (which is financial assistance that is not dependent upon your “perceived financial health.”)</p>
<p>So, do your research. Find out which schools are less diverse, and would ‘benefit’ from attendance by your child. Find schools where her scores are on the upper end of its acceptances. If she has something that makes her stand out from the other applicants, then showcase that. The application essay is a wonderful opportunity for her to express her individuality.</p>
<p>And, as for being the first in her family to graduate college: don’t underestimate this hook. They will ask if the parents have graduated from college, which it sounds like you have not. It won’t matter that you went for a couple of years. I wish you luck. Do your research, and be realistic, and I’m sure she will be very successful in her college search.</p>
<p>3boys: Well thought out, and well said. We followed the same strategy you outlined. My S was accepted at all schools too, with some very good merit aid, surprisingly.
I can’t stress how important it is to seek schools that will want your child. In most cases, we definitely targeted schools where Asian Americans are URM’s.</p>
<p>Long time lurker, new to posting.
Would love some wisdom/advice!
Here’s my D:
3.3 UW, 3.5 W with more like a 3.0 if you take out the “fun” classes, but trending upward
29 on the ACT, but will take it again next week
extracurricular: some community service, and school clubs, but no consistency or leadership positions
Junior at a pretty competitive suburban high school in the midwest - that doesn’t have Naviance
She’s hoping to attend a college in California with a real residential feel with at least 2000 kids, preferably more. No idea what she wants to study.
Money is an issue, we’ll need financial aid to make this work!
Any thoughts would be so appreciated!</p>
<p>Have her look at Whittier College. My D and I looked at it last year and it’s a beautiful campus and a nice college town. Bit of warning, the area surrounding it isn’t ideal, but once you are at the college, it’s a lovely tile roofed, stucco campus, lots of green landscaping and has a view of San Gabriel mountains behind them. They offer some talent scholarships and your D would fall within their range for merit scholarships (might even be chosen for their Scholars program with those stats). </p>
<p>Otherwise, in CA, your D could look at some of the Cal States which are around 30K per year before aid. You have to recalculate her GPA with the Calif. guidelines though and remove all art classes, PE, from her GPA calculations. They have a formula that determines eligibility to apply, but your D’s SAT scores will pull up a GPA that ends up being lower by removing those courses (think she’s still in the running for most of them). She may like, Sonoma (look at Cal State website). Do not bother looking at any UC’s like Merced since these are generally over 50K per year OOS. </p>
<p>Also, have her look at Dominican University. Known for good need-based aid and your D may be offered merit as well. Good luck!</p>
<p>Thanks jkiwmom! I’ll check out the schools you mentioned.
Two questions-
Do you think Sonoma State has a real residential campus? Many students live on campus, but if they all head home to friends and jobs on the weekends, that would be a problem. It’s what has discouraged us from the Cal State schools. I think we could maybe afford them, and some she’d get in to, but she really wants the “college experience”.</p>
<p>I’ve looked at CSU Mentor and tried to re-calculate her GPA that way. Am I right in thinking I should only use 10th & 11th grade math, english, science and social studies and foreign language? What about art? I thought that might be included too. Are the average GPAs listed for the campus the gpa of strictly academic classes? In that case, I’m not sure she’ll get in anywhere!</p>
<p>cbreeze,
I agree that Temple and University of Sciences are two very good choices, but I think Pitt and PSU might be a little out of reach. I know that state colleges are often a match for B students and that’s the case with Temple and any of our state schools in this tier - [Welcome</a> to the PA State System of Higher Education](<a href=“http://www.passhe.edu/Pages/default.aspx]Welcome”>Home | PA State System of Higher Education) Pitt and PSU, however, are more for B+ students, at least that’s how it’s worked out for kids in our HS. There does seem to be a tip for out of state (oos) students though, as I’ve seen on this forum. My son had 5 AP’s, dual credits classes and an on-location College class, a 3.3 gpa and was not accepted at main campus at either of them. A huge consideration is that most OOS public schools will not give much in merit aid. </p>
<p>I know next to nothing about the path to pharmacy but I would think that it’s pretty much a pre-med major, isn’t it? Which would mean looking for a college that has a high acceptance rate to Pharmacy schools or just start with a college that offers Pharmacy to begin with, which seems much less stressful. This site lists all of those colleges: [Pharmacy</a> schools in the United States](<a href=“http://www.globalrph.com/pharmacyschools.htm]Pharmacy”>Pharmacy Schools - Updated October 2014 - GlobalRPH) </p>
<p>My D’s godmother just retired from Sonoma State after 20 years. ( I lived in the Bay Area/Sonoma County for 10 years too.) It is my impression that years back yes, the campus emptied out on weekends with everyone going home. But that is improved, if still less than perfect. </p>
<p>Rohnert Park where the college is situated is not an old, staid college town (too bad). There is much to do nearby, but that means going off campus and requires transport. Petaluma is a cute, funky town that has really upgraded, there is Healdsburg not too far away, and many, many outdoor activities and other places to go (Armstrong Woods, Bodega Bay, Occidental). So not sure it will meet your student’s idea of a residential college. But if your D is comfortable going off campus and finding her interests, then maybe.</p>
<p>Yes, you calculate the GPA without 9th grade coursework (this actually is a detriment for my D who did a little better that year). And yes, you remove the art courses, PE, and they have a list of other courses on their website mentioned as well, but can’t recall all of them. The good news for your D is that her test scores are probably high enough to still be eligible to apply to Sonoma. The scores are factored into the formula used and even if she has a little below a 3.0 GPA, I think she’s still ok. Calculate it today and see whether it’s an option anyway. Sonoma has added housing over the past decade and has a population around 6K if I remember correctly. Have her do her research on Sonoma and see what she thinks (if she turns out to be eligible to apply). </p>
<p>Definitely have her look at Dominican U of CA and Whittier too which are likely to offer her merit awards in addition to decent need-based aid (separate apps. for talent based scholarships at Whittier btw). Do their online calculators and determine the “guesstimate” of FA she may be offered. Also do the FAFSA forecaster on the gov site and confirm need-based aid approximations. </p>
<p>Her GPA is still rather high overall (for the 3.0-3.3 kids) and along with her scores, she’s likely to have some great options if she chooses a realistic list of schools. So keep the faith! :). If there turns out to be a school she absolutely falls in love with, and you can afford it, then consider applying ED. Good luck!</p>
<p>MomofCAGirl – how about Occidental? 2100 students, nice campus, and they gave my daughter merit aid when she was accepted last year. She had 29 on ACT also.</p>
<p>cbreeze22, Your D is more than likely going to have to attend grad school right? If so, reducing the amount of undergrad debt is probably going to be a big concern. I don’t know anything about pharm programs but financially, maybe start crunching numbers to see how instate schools will compare to out of state schools just to get an idea. She might at least consider an instate school for her safety.</p>
<p>reeinaz, as much as I detest GA, that is a great way to approach choosing some GA schools. I can’t imagine her not getting in where she’s doing her dual enrollment, so that’s the super safety.</p>
<p>thanks much kathiep, great info and suggestions. Her feelings on PSU are formed by the recent scandal though, so it’s off the table anyway.</p>
<p>Like familyof3boys and everyone else is saying, I have reanalyze her match schools, prioritizing schools that want what she’s offering now instead of what we thought she’d be offering 2-3 years ago.</p>
<p>Thanks kinderny for the input on the Sonoma State area. I think my D needs a truly residential place, rather than one where she’ll have to go off campus to find her activities.</p>
<p>Jkiwmom - that whole GPA recalcuation business is confusing, thanks for getting me on the right track. A “realistic list” is what it is all about, you’re so right.</p>
<p>Classof 2015 - she’d love Occidental, it’s just the kind of place she’s looking for. But if she did somehow get in, the financial aid wouldn’t be there.</p>
<p>Been lurking on here for awhile, so decided to finally join the party. My d is an energetic, life- grabbing, right-brainer with a 3.0 gpa. Plays tennis, has had a few jobs, key club, hs nespaper - that’s about it as anything else might begin to interfere with her very important (to her) social commitments ;). Taking the ACT for the first time next week. Hoping for a composite of around 26 based on practice tests. She’s an excellent writer and thinks she’ll end up doing something with that and/or owning her own business (she says “a cupcake shop would be fun!”).</p>
<p>Colleges we’re considering:</p>
<p>University of Illinois (in state - probably a reach)
DePauw University (reach but mom is alum)
Indiana University
Miami of Ohio
Elon
Clemson (reach)
Truman State
University of Iowa
KU</p>
<p>She says she doesn’t want anything “super-small” but her dad and I feel she may need a place where the prof notices if you skip class and where there isn’t the opportunity for a great party every night of the week, so we’ll have to see. Mostly we want a school for her that helps her get some great writing samples together, opens her eyes to all sorts of possibilities for her future, has more to do for fun than just drinking, and where she can make some good, life long friends. Any suggestions are much appreciated!</p>
<p>We just got back from a junior day at Truman State. It was our 2nd visit and we liked it even more after this visit. To say that Truman emphasizes writing and critical thinking is an understatement; it is in the fabric of everything there. Every major requires 2 writing enhanced courses (minimum of 25 pages of written work with rewrites and feedback is required). Every student must also take a Junior level integrated learning seminar that is also writing enhanced. All majors also require a capstone course/project that is often a major written work.</p>
<p>U Iowa has a reputation for being a party school and it is justly deserved.</p>
<p>@Frazzlemom, I like Truman a lot too and the cost is certainly ideal for out-of-state students. If you are looking at NC then I figured Virginia might not be too far for you --look at U of Mary Washington. If you are considering more privates, then I’d suggest Ohio Wesleyan, U of Dayton, John Carroll, Lake Forest.</p>
<p>@momCAgirl -I know, the entire CA application process is complicated to figure out!</p>
<p>Frazzlemom - look at High Point University. People either love it or hate it due to its unconventional growth. It’s definitely a gorgeous campus. They have a degree in entrepreneurship. Close to Elon, so you could easily see both on one trip.</p>
<p>Wow! You guys are great! Thanks for the suggestions! We only heard of Truman through this site and we’re on their mailing list now. It almost sounds too good to be true - happy students, great profs… How do they give such quality at such a comparatively low price and why don’t/can’t some of the other schools follow suit?
Haystack - We have heard the same about Iowa but they do have a very good writing program. Still worried about whether or not she could resist the fun when she needed to.
Jkiwmom - thank you! We will research those!
Mama duck- I read that crazy High Point thread! Might have to look just to see it for ourselves ( going to the area in early fall).
Question - would it be out of line to ask colleges for a copy of their course catalog when we visit? I know some are online, but it would be nice to be able to give D some to page through and see what she (hopefully) gets excited about .</p>
