Parents of the HS Class of 2013 - 3.0 to 3.3 GPA

Parents Forum Class of 20xx Community
761

<p>Ruby–I see that liking all of the schools is a good thing! Having a large list expands your merit potential. When it comes down to actually applying, just the amount of time it takes will probably weed some of those out. I don’t know how far he is into the trip but I would suggest that he make a list as he goes along and rank the schools after each visit-just write the names down and put a 1, 2, 3 after them, change after the next visit. I think immediate impressions make a big difference. The first question I ask the kids after a visit is if you applied today-where does this school rank. Their #1 and #2 choices have stayed consistent for the most part but the 3-10 schools move around quite a bit.</p>

<p>We are applying to about 20 schools between the 2 of them. Thankfully only one of those schools has an app fee :D. Most will take ACT/SAT scores on their transcripts or if we email over the official copy we got from ACT. That is really nice!</p>

762

<p>So I’m a senior and I have a GPA of a 3.0 unweighted, and a 3.3 weighted. I know my GPA isn’t the best, but it’s a little late for that now.
I have an SAT score of 1640 (i’m going to retake)
I have taken 2 AP classes, and am currently enrolled in 3, I have also taken 5 honors classes.
I have over 50+ hours of community service, and I am passionate member, and the leader of a club at school that helps special needs kids feel more involved, and helps them to develop their social skills.
I also am a female, and 100% Hispanic, I know that sometimes helps if you’re a minority.
My plans for the future are to pursue a career as a teacher, preferably an elementary school teacher, or working with special needs.
Which colleges would you recommend I apply to that has the programs I’m interested in, as well as ones that seem reasonable to be accepted into? (I don’t expect to go to Stanford or Berkley)
I live in San Diego California, and I would like to attend college either in-state, or in Oregon, Washington, or Arizona. I’m also not opposed to attending a college out of these states, or even a Community college and then transferring over, I would just like to know all my options. thank you:)</p>

763

<p>I briefly looked at that student reviews site and noticed how outdated many of the reviews were. I do think though that the bad reviews can point out areas you might want to look further into if it’s any sort of concern.</p>

764

<p>Well it’s Back To School week here and the official start of senior year. Feeling pretty good about what my daughter has accomplished over the summer with a first draft of her essay and a fair amount of the common app complete. She is doing her first admissions interview tomorrow at Muhlenberg - yikes. Just wanted to wish you all luck as the season gets underway!</p>

765

<p>brianarae- I posted this on another thread and know that you found the Western schools thread. I don’t know much about these (and the financial aid) but a little geographic diversity SOMETIMES helps. Take a look at these two for an education major:
Ashland University in Ohio
Southern Oregon University
They don’t get a lot of play on this board but may suit you.</p>

766

<p>Left-coaster on our way to do a college tour in the east. W’ere going to be driving from Harrisburg PA up to Boston area on a Sunday. Google maps offers 2 options - I84 inland or I95 (through NYC??). Can anyone offer advice on which is a better route and why? Thanks much!</p>

767

<p>Mikasauntie, at this time of year, you’ll hit traffic either way. I prefer 84. You might also think about taking the NY thruway and then 80 across. Longer on paper, but in the longrun, probably less traffic and a shorter (or at least easier) ride.</p>

<p>Sent from my DROID2 GLOBAL using CC</p>

768

<p>

</p>

<p>Dear mikasauntie,</p>

<p>I’ve made this trip a million times. There are many options. It’s probably best to PM me.</p>

<p>But I will say this (as a former New Yorker): Never, never, never take I-80 over the George Washington Bridge through NYC to get to New England.</p>

<p>The NYC bridges are toll one-way and the GW bridge traffic is horrible at many times, including weekends.</p>

<p>Generally speaking, it is best to get on I-84 through Port Jervis, Newburgh, Beacon, Danbury, etc. to get to New England. *****</p>

<p>Be aware, though, that traffic near Danbury could be bad too Sometimes but sunday should be ok.</p>

769

<p>Thank you Joisymom, we have 2 more weeks to go but then we’re off.
DH and DS returned yesterday from their tour of 3 colleges, this is the info I managed to pry out of them:
Hobart and William Smith: Still DS’s #1, loved the campus, I guess it is stunning at the top of Lake Geneva. DH said the buildings were all very well maintained and the dorms were the best he had seen (the dorms @ Fairfield U were very nice too). DS loved the small class sizes (~11 students), that is a big selling point for him. Students have to take ~9 classes in a variety of subjects but they have some flexibility as to the classes they choose. DH liked the research vessel that goes out on Lake Geneva. Sounds like they have good internship, student abroad and job placement services. DH felt DS would get a solid, well rounded education there and that the staff really gets to know each student and their needs.DS really has his heart set on going here. Only turnoff:there was a lacrosse player in the info session that the admin staff kept giving shoutouts too. They were clearly trying to recruit him but he looked totally bored and was actually cleaning his nails with a swiss army knife during the tour.<br>
Dickinson: DH and DS were disappointed, I don’t know what happened, nothing like previous posts I’ve read. Buildings appeared run down, and the carpets were dirty. On the tour they showed the kids a newly renovated dorm that did not impress. DH thought if this is the best the place is going to look it is not looking good. The ballisters were gone from the railings in the stairwells and replaced with painted plywood that was stained as though some one had thrown/spilled liquid all over them, DS does think he can get a very good education here but it dropped way down on his list. They actually skipped the info session.
Gettysburg: They both loved the campus and the surrounding town. Nice campus, nice dorms, well maintained buildings, great info session, small class sizes and strong curriculum. Another one of DS’s favorites.</p>

<p>They didn’t make it to Franklin and Marshall so any feedback would be appreciated. Lafayette was crossed off as too much of a reach.</p>

770

<p>***** And, if you’d like a more scenic route … about fifteen minutes after the Newburgh/Beacon Bridge (over the Hudson River) take the Taconic State Parkway North.</p>

<p>The Taconic connects with the Mass Turnpike, and the Mass Turnpike leads right into Boston.</p>

771

<p>

</p>

<p>Wow, thanks r/b2 for the great reports about H&W Smith, Dickinson and Gettysburg.</p>

<p>Too bad no chance to report about Franklin & Marshall and Lafayette. </p>

<p>Those are all five schools my D is looking into. Though, her first choice is (to row in) Division I.</p>

<p>I’ve heard nice things about Hobart but that would be a very far trip to visit.</p>

772

<p>GolfFather
If you get a chance to tour F&M let us know what you think, it’s a great option for DS.
I’d love to hear NPRmom’s thoughts on Dickinson, maybe DS and DH hit it on a bad day.</p>

773

<p>

</p>

<p>Yes, I absolutely will. I’m going to try and arrange some time a “Pennsylvania tour.”
We have visited three schools so far but each one, we happen to be in the area for other reasons.
Trying to find the time to make college-visit specific trips is going to be very hard.</p>

774

<p>Thank you Anniezz and GolfFather. I will be shutting myself away with the computer tonight to try your suggestions out and make a plan. SO looking forward to checking out that area. </p>

<p>Ruby, Gettysburg is really high on my list. Unfortunately its not even on D’s radar. Guess I’d better step up the subliminal messages. :)</p>

775

<p>Here I am, Ruby!</p>

<p>I love my Dickinson story. I fell in LOVE with the beauty of the school, those lovely limestone buildings and the lacy black wrought iron gates everywhere. Our tour guide, from Alaska, had turned down Amherst to attend and I thought that the school must be very special. (Most likely, Dickinson gave her good merit!) I didn’t notice run down carpets. I liked the dorm I saw, which was new, but I preferred the look of the older dorms which we were not shown. I loved the library, I loved the town, and I loved the info session, led by Alan Paintner (sp?). It was INTERACTIVE! I thought it was the perfect target school for my D.</p>

<p>But, she HATED it. She felt that the school lacked genuine racial diversity. I forced her to apply early action thinking she was likely to be accepted becasue of her grades, her SATs and her minority status, in case she was deferred or rejected by her ED choice, but she really didn’t want to go. I was heartbroken. Thankfully, she was accepted to her first choice school.</p>

<p>We also visted Gettysburg. There our tour guide was very Greek and that affected our vision of the school. Cute campus though. It just didn’t “speak” to us.</p>

<p>To me, F&M is the quintessential college, with a football team and lovely brick buildings. It’s a nice size, it’s diverse and it’s in a great town. I didn’t love it at first, but it really grew on me after a few visits. D liked it all along, as did my good friend. I think it could have been a target for D but it’s too much of a reach for S. He interviewed there and attended the camp, as I mentioned, but he felt like a number there, not a name, and will not apply.</p>

<p>Here are some PA schools we never saw: Bucknell, York, Leheigh. Others we did see: Haverford, Juniata and Ursinus.</p>

<p>To those of you touring, TAKE PHOTOS and write notes immediately after the tour. You won’t remember details weeks and months later!</p>

<p>Remember, I blogged about both kids’ college visits. PM me for my blog address if you’re interested.</p>

<p>FYI S is “working” on his essay and has the common ap about half way done. He’s planning to begin applying in early September. I hope he has the thing done before school starts in 2 weeks.</p>

<p>Good luck everyone!</p>

776

<p>It is interesting how different people get very different impressions of the same school. We visited Dickinson last Fall and my daughter liked it and I loved it. I commented afterwards “Who cares what you think! That’s where I want to go!!!”</p>

<p>I thought the campus was lovely and it seemed well maintained. I don’t remember anything about the dorms which probably means they looked pretty much like every other dorm we’ve seen. It seems like a laid-back, friendly campus. The academics include an emphasis on the international and small class sizes. </p>

<p>While I’m at it, I’ll summarize my thoughts on Muhlenberg and Gettysburg. My daughter absolutely loved Gburg but can’t exactly tell me why lol. Another lovely campus and the proximity to a town with lots of shops and restaurants plus historical sites is a plus. It definitely felt more competitive to me on that old collaborative-to-competitive scale. Small class sizes and a real focus on excellence. Sports - including club sports - seemed to play a big role here. </p>

<p>Muhlenberg is in Allentown and while the surrounding area is fine it certainly has more urban surroundings. A nicely maintained campus with very old, stately buildings and a fine chapel, plus a crazy/cool new dining hall. Our smart/spunky/nerdy/cute tour guide insisted she had taste-tested her way through several colleges and selected the one with the best food. The arts are highly valued at Muhlenberg and it seems to be an especially supportive place; I was impressed that there is free tutoring available for all courses. </p>

<p>Juniata and Susquehanna are in our plans for Fall travel so I will keep you posted!</p>

777

<p>Joisymom… thanks SO much for the college visits reports. I always love reading those, as DS12 added a lot of schools that we would have never heard of. My DS14 will be applying to Muhlenberg as a theater major… sounds like a VERY special school. </p>

<p>Ruby… my DS12 was admitted to Hobart and Smith… ha had never visited but flew all the way from CA to see it after after acceptance because they offered him a HUGE merit schoalrship + met full need. He was also admitted to St Lawrence U with the same FA and merit, which is about 2 hours from H&S</p>

<p>I tell you, it was a hard decision, but SLU won out. He had a friend( a beautiful girl btw) at H&W, who he hung out the whole time on his overnight, so I think he really got to see the social life. Unfortunately, for him, he just felt there were to many “jock/bro” types and he was really looking for the more outdoorsy/moutain types. SLU’s outdoor club was AMAZING and a huge pull for him. He just felt he jived more with the SLU student body. They both had fantastic professor/student relationships, faculty, and career placement. SLU’s retention rate at 92% was also a consideration. I think both schools are hidden gems and give great merit aid to B students.</p>

<p>One disclaimer though… I think my S’s geographic location in CA, might have been seen as a postitive… as well as his high SAT’s.</p>

778

<p>5boys
Thanks for the info on HWS, they seem really interested in DS and are hinting at $$ in merit. DH and I are a little concerned that it may be too much of a “jock” atmosphere based on the admin staff’s attitude towards the star lacrosse player on the tour but DS is VERY focused on it. Can you ask your son for me if his friend is happy there? He likes the look of SLU despite not having seen it.
Here’s his list right now:
HWS, Stonehill, Fairfield, Union (REACH), Gettysburg, Wake Forest (REACH), SLU, F&M,
St. Mike’s, Merrimack maybe Clark or Providence
I desperately need a financial safety or two and he does not want to go to UMASS Amherst or Lowell because they are too big (I live in MA) I’m thinking about one of the SUNY’s like Geneseo which would be a reach or Salem State (a state school in MA) ANY ideas would be greatly appreciated.</p>

779

<p>FWIW, my son was admitted to HWS, and he did get a merit scholarship. The money, however did not work out.</p>

<p>I agree with some of the schools listed to check out. Juniata was mentioned on the previous page. For us, they were tied for 2nd as far as our son’s best packages. The best package when looking at final dollar amounts for us was U of Tampa, which we never even visited. I don’t discuss where my son is attending school on CC, but the other school that tied with Juniata for 2nd best package is where he is a rising junior.</p>

<p>This is going back quite a few years, but our oldest son’s best package when looking at the bottom line was Marist College. It might be worth a look.</p>

780

<p>Ruby… my S is actually hiking the Pacific Crest Trail right now… a 2650 mile trek from the Mexican to Canadian Border. He is on a gap year… he deferred a year to SLU… so he will actually be in the class of 2017. </p>

<p>The thing that I remember my S saying about H&S was that it was a great school for girls… he thought all the girls were beautiful, smart, academically inclined and nice… he just didn’t like the guys much… nothing wrong with them, just wasn’t his type. He felt like after 1 day and night there he didn’t think there was one guy he could hang with. His friend LOVES it there and was really sad that my S choose SLU. My DS wants to be an ER Dr. and Hobart’s pre-med emphasis and 100% acceptance to med school was also a huge plus for DS, and he really liked the ES mock class he took on his accepted students day.</p>

<p>My S spent the first overnight at SLU and then went to Hobart. I think he was so enamored with SLU at that point that it might have been unfair to Hobart. My H said the town of Geneva was great and the campus was stunning… I think prettier than SLU. My S was looking for a very cohesive environment where there is no division between social groups. He felt SLU was very much like that… he had the time of his life there on his overnight. </p>

<p>Where do you guys live? I think your list sounds good. I have a friend whose daughter is at Gettysburg and is extremely happy there… just raves about it.</p>