<p>I'm having a really difficult time narrowing down which schools to apply to. My grades etc. obivously limit my choices quite a bit, so I'm really not sure as to schools I'm capable of getting into.</p>
<p>I don't have my transcript, so I can't be too specific, sorry.</p>
<p>Freshman year-All IB classes and requirements, Art 1
Sophmore-Combination of honors and IB courses, Photography 1
Junior-IB english, AP Environmental Science, Hospitality Leadership (block class), Art 2, Service Learning
Senior-English 101, Economics Honors, Trig/pre-calc, Hospitality Internship, Art 4 AP, Service Learning 2</p>
<p>SAT:1160, although I am retaking in November and am confident that I will be in the 1200's.</p>
<p>I have been in standard math courses all 4 years, and have fluctuated between 3.5-3.8 GPA. I have been involved in a lot of community service for the past two years, and am passionate about art (few awards), although I am not looking at art schools.</p>
<p>If anyone has any suggestions as to what schools I have any chance of getting into that would be a decent match for me, I would really appreciate it. Thanks</p>
<p>(ps-What do you think would be my absolute furthest reach shcool?)</p>
<p>Also, I'm not really looking at any specific majors, I just want a school with a good reputation, preferrably smaller to mid-sized. A good arts program would be a plus, as well. I'm open to everything though...
thanks</p>
<p>It would help if you gave us some idea of the schools you already have on your list. And, do you have any geographic preference?</p>
<p>My daughter liked the art program at Goucher College very much --- they have some excellent internship opportunities since they're right outside of Baltimore. Kind of a neat school because on campus it feels like you're in the country but you step off it into a pretty suburban area. Study abroad is very important to her and they had some very unique programs there as well. She also felt that it wasn't as "preppy" as some east coast schools, had a more artsy-student body. It would be a nice match, possibly even a safety for you.</p>
<p>Because of your somewhat low SAT scores relative to your grades, you might think about looking through some of the schools that don't require them for admissions. Bates, Dickinson, Wheaton College (MAss), Lewis &Clark, Connecticut College are all on the list and all have nice art programs. Wheaton and Lewis & Clark would be in the match range --- the others in the reach range probably (Dickinson might be the most realistic reach) You can find more schools at: <a href="http://www.fairtest.org%5B/url%5D">www.fairtest.org</a></p>
<p>I also think that Skidmore would be worth a look for you - it would be a reach because of your SATs but a match in terms of your GPA. So, you probably would stand a shot.</p>
<p>Thanks for the reply! You've given me some good schools to look at. I've heard about all of them here and there, but haven't researched them, so good suggestions.</p>
<p>By a brief look at Goucher, it seems as though it's pretty selective and would be a reach for me, but you would obviosuly know more about it than I do.</p>
<p>As far a geographical location, I'm relatively open. It would be difficult for me to immediately disrgard a school due to where it is, although if I were to choose right now, I would either go to school on the west coast, or Colorado.</p>
<p>Any more suggestions would be appreciated. Thank you.</p>
<p>Trust me, Goucher is not that selective. Their average GPA is 3.2.</p>
<p>Anyhow, on the west coast/Colorado, check out:
the University of Denver (excellent art program), Lewis & Clark (SATs optional), Loyola Marymount (another excellent art program), University of Redlands, possibly Santa Clara or University of San Diego.Linfield College (Oregon), Willamette (also Oregon), University of the Pacific, Pitzer, possibly Santa Clara U or University of San Diego. You should also check out the U of Washington and U of Oregon. This would be a pretty good mix of matches. safeties and a few reaches. I haven't included any UC's or cal states but if you're in state, they would be worth looking at as well.</p>
<p>Thank you guys very much for the replies.
Regarding the UC's: Are there any advantage to any of the state schools that would be worth the money (I'm from Arizona)? I have numerous books profiling schools, but don't say much about what each school's strongsuit may be, therefore I'm kind of clueless as to the strengths and weaknesses of the major UC's (besides location, of course). Is there any way that I would have a chance at some of the UC's?
What about University of Colorado-Boulder?
Would I have a chance at Pepperdine, or a like school?</p>
<p>First off, for the UC's you will need to take three SAT II subject tests - if you even think you want to try for the UC's and haven't taken the subject tests now, I believe the last test date the UC's will accept is December (double check this though). Applications are also due in November. </p>
<p>As an out of state resident, assuming you did VERY well on the SAT II tests and got your SAT I up above 1200, you'd have a shot at some of the lower-ranked UC's like UC Irvine, UC Riverside and possibly UC Santa Cruz or UC Davis. I've heard good things about the art departments at all four schools - just double check on how hard it is for non-art majors to get into art classes as it can be a problem at some schools. The other UC's are probably going to be a reach. </p>
<p>Only you can determine if paying $30,000 plus for what you basically could get at the U of Arizona for a lot less is worth it. Anyhow, details about UC admissions and the various UC schools are available at <a href="http://www.ucop.edu/pathways%5B/url%5D">www.ucop.edu/pathways</a>. If you look at that page, it has a chart that tells you the total Test numbers (SAT I plus three SAT II's) you will need for your GPA to meet the minimum level for UC consideration. (The minimum doesn't mean you'll get in, just that your app. won't automatically be disqualified).</p>
<p>As far as the cal states, there are some decent schools among them, depending on what you're looking for and want. Just keep in mind that Calif. budget cuts are definitely affecting all of the cal state schools. If you're checking out the cal states, also ask about the availability of art classes for non majors. At some campuses art is an inpacted major and getting into classes can be difficult. You can read up on the cal state schools at <a href="http://www.calstate.edu%5B/url%5D">www.calstate.edu</a>. I'd say you'd have a decent shot at many of them. </p>
<p>UC Boulder is worth looking at --- as is Colorado State and the University of New Mexico. Colorado College is another interesting private school in Colorado that I forgot to mention.</p>
<p>Thanks Carolyn. You've really helped me out and given me some things to look at.
How difficult is it to get into Pepperdine? Colorado College?
Also, what do you think would be the best school(s) that I could possibly get into would be (on the west coast & Colorado, and in general)?
Thanks again. Sorry I keep asking question, this will be my last (probably).</p>
<p>ps-How are you so knowlegable on schools? Are there any resources that you suggest I use that give a lot of relevent, good information?</p>
<p>While you have not stated that you desire to stay west of the Mississippi River, there are two schools that come to mind that, given your interest, may be worth your time to check out. The first is Austin College in Texas. Austin is a liberal arts college with a fairly strong arts program, but traditionally has been known for their pre-professional programs. While your SAT is roughly 100 points below their average, I think that with your academic record, you would stand a decent shot of getting in -- even if you do not substantially improve your SAT score. The added bonus is that if you go to Austin, your college mascot would be a kangaroo. How cool is that?</p>
<p>The other school that looks like a good match, academically speaking, is Albertson College in Idaho. I think that Albertson is more conservative (and less racially diverse) than Austin College, but Albertson has a good academic reputation where there is a real focus on teaching students the art of writing. They also have small classes where the professors are lauded for their teaching ability. While you can major in Art, I cannot speak as to the strength or size of the major at Albertson. </p>
<p>It is probably worth your time to spend a few minutes to check out these two relatively unknown alternatives. An added bonus is that both are known to be quite generous with their financial aid. I hope this gives you a couple more alternatives to contemplate. Good luck.</p>
<p>One more question to add to my last post:
Are there any other schools that I might qualify for that have a block calender like Colorado College?</p>
<p>Check out Cornell College in Mount Vernon, Iowa. I believe that Cornell College is actually older than Cornell University. It is a small, liberal arts college with block scheduling. It has a very good academic reputation in the Midwest and is part of the Associated Colleges of the Midwest -- a group of Midwest liberal arts colleges that sponsors various off-campus study programs. ACMs website is: <a href="http://www.acm.edu/%5B/url%5D">http://www.acm.edu/</a></p>
<p>From the admissions numbers, it appears that Cornell College is slightly less selective than Colorado College. Though, in my humble and biased opinion, it is probably more academically oriented than Colorado College (what else are you going to do in Mount Vernon, Iowa?).</p>
<p>Adding another "one class at a time" school to the list -- University of Montana-Western. If I am not mistaken, this is where essayist Sarah Vowell did her undergraduate work. I love Sarah Vowell's writing. There is an essay in her book "Take the Cannoli" about the history of Chicago which is absolutely brilliant -- but I digress.</p>
<p>Looking at University of Montana-Western's admissions statistics, this school would easily be a safety for you. Plus, with only 1,000 students, your educational experience would be more like that which you would receive at a private, liberal arts college. </p>
<p>I don't know much about the school, but it at least appears that it is worth taking a look.</p>
<p>Interesting, thanks. I'll deffinitely take a look at those you've suggested. The acm research programs are soemthing I'd like to look into. Anyone else have any suggestions or can answer my questions from post #9? Thanks.</p>
<p>I will throw my 2 cents in concerning Post #9</p>
<p>Chances at Colorado College and Pepperdine - I believe that you should consider both reaches, with CC being a bigger reach than Pepperdine. </p>
<p>By "best" school, I assume that you mean "most selective" school to which you could reasonably get admitted. While admissions speculating is more opinion and art than science, I will give my opinion on several schools out your way:</p>
<p>Occidental - reach
Willamette - match/reach
Pomona - far reach
Linfield - match/safety
Lewis & Clark - match/reach
Whittier - match
Chapman - match
University of Colorado, Boulder - match</p>
<p>Just my humble opinion. Feel free to agree or disagree.</p>
<p>With regard to Carolyn, I think that she is the most helpful and informed poster on this board. The depth of her knowledge is astonishing.</p>
<p>Thanks. That's reassuring in some ways and I'll have to further research some of the schools that you are suggesting.<br>
Anyone else have an answer or opinion that they can give me regarding any of my questions (or those in post 9, in particular)? </p>
<p>What are Boulder, Pepperdine, Colorado College, Colorado State, Wilamette and Lewis & Clark exceptionally strong in?
Thanks.</p>
<p>I'm planning on going to CU Boulder, if I get in. They are a strong research facility/science school, I see them mentioned in lots of science articles, I don't know much about their art program though. I'm pretty sure you'll get in, you nearly exactly meet their art/science student average GPA/SAT scores...</p>