<p>2050 SAT.
3.0 Unweighted GPA(Yeah Sucks), 3.7 Weighted. Class rank like 80/480.
Asian Male
California Resident
Low income(below 25k a year)
ECS: Lets just say none.
Volunteered 150 hours at hospital.
Was a Poll Worker on Election Day
Thanks.</p>
<p>Your SAT isn't bad at all. Your GPA could be perceived differently, depending on the rigor of your curriculum and the difficulty of your school. Your class rank puts you about top 15%, so that's not bad at all. But I'll say that need for F/A and lack of EC will be your biggest shortcomings in terms of applying to LAC. Why don't you look into Skidmore, St. Olaf, Trinity, Conn College, and Lewis and Clark?</p>
<p>^ You think St. Olaf is a good match for him?</p>
<p>I have essentially the same SAT score, a higher unweighted (3.20) but much lower weighted (3.30) --- and only a slightly lower class rank (17-20%), but I actually have EC's other than volunteer work.</p>
<p>...Saint Olaf's on my list, so if your post is valid, then I'm happy.</p>
<p>And, cookieeater, since we have really, really similar stats, I thought I'd give you the list of colleges that I've researched that I feel I have reasonable chances at.</p>
<p>Case Western Reserve University
Depauw University
Hendrix College
Illinois Wesleyan University
Lafayette College
Rhodes College
St. Olaf College</p>
<p>All of them are pretty far away from California, but I wasn't sure how important closeness to home is to you...</p>
<p>Anyways, does everyone else feel the colleges above would be decent fits for our stats? I'm only asking to make sure my advice is actually good, lol.</p>
<p>how about St. Mary's College of Maryland or University Of North Carolina At Asheville?</p>
<p>2 of the best liberal arts colleges that nobody knows about, and very affordable!</p>
<p>St. Olaf, like most LACs, is seeking diversity, so being an Asian male from California is a plus. They also seek out first-generation college students, unlike a lot of places. </p>
<p>On the other hand, they really want to see how you would contribute to the community, both inside and outside the classroom. They want to see demonstrated interest on your part (like visting campus, although that's hard in your case). I think it would be a negative that you have so few ECs and community activities. Feel free to contact the admissions counselor for California found on the St. Olaf web site.</p>
<p>St. Olaf, like most LACs, is seeking diversity, so being an Asian male from California is a plus.</p>
<hr>
<p>How about being a male from Arkansas?</p>
<p>Sure, a male from Arkansas would be seen as a plus at St. Olaf (not very many students come from the south).</p>
<p>Again, though, St.O. does not just look at grades/test scores. You have to show what you can bring to the community (talents, skills, leadership, etc.).</p>
<p>No, no, I realize that.</p>
<p>guys screw St. Olaf, look at St. Mary's College Of Maryland instead</p>
<p>I agree with Poss and others; don't put yourself down you have good stats and great shots at many LACs! Occidental in LA had an SAT range of 1810-2050, and though it doesn't report the average incoming GPA I'm sure you have good chances there. Pitzer (one of the Claremont colleges) has an average incoming GPA of 3.6 - 3.7 (weighted, I'd guess, though I'm unsure) and the SATs are optional but the average math and verbal scores were in the mid/low 600s, so you'd have great chances there as well. Despite being a (small!) university with some grad programs, Pepperdine also has an average GPA of 3.77 and average SAT of 1910 so is well within reach. I'm not sure whether you're looking out of state or in state (or both), but either way don't put yourself down because as long as you write good essays and show drive, you have a ton of potential to get into great colleges. Good luck!</p>
<p>Edit: Also, Pitzer and Oxy both meet 100% of need-based aid and Pepperdine meets 89%. I'm not familiar with the details of their FinAid programs but you should be a great candidate for all three.</p>
<p>I looked up both schools you advised, Pierre, and St. Mary's College would have been a really good suggestion for me had it not been for the fact that I already have Hendrix College, which is equal (if not better) than St. Mary's College, on my list. Hendrix is only three hours away from my house, while St. Mary's College is located in Maryland, lol. Why would I go to school that far away for an equal education?</p>
<p>And the OP is from California. Maryland is on the other side of the country for him...</p>
<p>I'm happy with my safety in Hendrix, but can you think of any other decent LAC's like St. Mary's for the OP?</p>
<p>I'm pretty sure that those GPA's are unweighted, lovestoned.</p>
<p>OP, look into need blind colleges that meet at least 90% need. I am also low income, about the same as yours or a little higher, so I understand where you're coming from. This Wikipedia article has a list of need blind schools that meet 100% need: Need-blind</a> admission - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia. However, almost all are on the East coast or in the Midwest and most would be reaches for you. </p>
<p>I think Occidental could be a high match for you, though your GPA is kind of low. They also enroll the second highest number of students will Pell grants (only Smith beats them) so they must be doing something right to help low income students. </p>
<p>Also, if you don't mind traveling all the way to Kentucky, Berea College gives all students free tuition and will also give need-based aid to cover some of room and board and other fees. I think they also give matriculating students a laptop and other bonuses. In exchange, students participate in paid work programs 10-15 hours per week that also allow them to gain job experience. It's a good system for students with need, and they're not as selective as other need blind schools on the list--I'm pretty sure you'd get in. Another program like this is Deep Springs, but Deep Springs is MUCH more selective and they only have 25 students total, which would be a bit claustrophobic to me.</p>
<p>Since you are from California I would suggest looking at midwest lacs. These small schools will love it that you are from so far away.</p>
<p>Knox College Prairie Fire
Illinois Wesleyan University Titans
Rhodes College Lynx
Kalamazoo College Hornets
Beloit College Buccaneers
Lawrence University Vikings
Earlham College Quakers</p>
<p>whoever suggested trinity is quite wrong...</p>
<p>The OP didn't necessarily say he was below average in general, just that for CC, his scores are below average.
I'm assuming if money is pretty tight you won't want to travel too far?
Some suggestions:
Sonoma State (CA state LAC)
Humboldt State
Whittier--you could qualify for some amazing aid here</p>
<p>MAJOR second Beloit, Knox and St Olaf</p>
<p>Also try Cornell College, Luther College and Gustavus Adolphus for more safty and low match schools</p>
<p>PLEASE check out Questbridge.org and the questbridge thread on the college admissions board. With those SAT scores and that income, you have a chance at some really good schools.</p>
<p>Definitely check out Questbridge, but judging from the people rejected as QB finalists, I'd say that the OP still only has a long shot.</p>