Safety Schools in California (preferably SoCal)?

College Search & Selection
1

<p>Hi! Please don't get freaked out by the long post, it's not that bad!</p>

<p>I've had some trouble lately looking for safeties in California (preferably Southern California). I've been searching for awhile, but most of the ones I find are religious colleges (and as a devout atheist, that wouldn't be a great fit...). I'm a CA resident. I'm looking for both admission safeties and financial safeties (colleges in which I would most likely get merit-based aid). I've talked to my mom already about aid, and she said she can pay as much as 60k a year (which basically means I'm hopefully okay in terms of that), but merit based aid would be great to take some of the pressure off of her.</p>

<p>I want to study Psychology and become a therapist, so it'd be great to at least have a decent psychology program. I'm also interested in Gender/Minority Studies, German, and American Sign Language. It's not a requirement for them to have departments in each of these (since it's quite rare to have an ASL department..) but these are subjects I enjoy. :D I'd prefer there be a substance free dorm, but it's bearable if there isn't. And it'd be cool if there was an honors program too.</p>

<p>I'm a Sophomore, but colleges I'm interested in are Pitzer, Scripps, Stanford (huge reach x___x), and Occidental. </p>

<p>Some of my stats:</p>

<p>GPA: 3.89 UW and increasing. (My school doesn't have AP classes, just Honors, but I believe I'm taking the most rigorous schedule possible).
PSAT: 186
SAT Diagnostic: 1690 (was sick when I took it, and I'm taking an intensive SAT prep class this summer, and then self-studying for the next year until I bring it up!)
SAT II - planning on taking Chemistry this year, and US History next year.</p>

<p>My school doesn't rank since it's one-on-one, but I'm a perfectionist (and gifted) and have a really high standard class. </p>

<p>My class schedule this year:</p>

<p>English 10 Honors
Algebra II (Reg)
Piano/Drums
Spanish III Honors
Chemistry Honors
Psychology Honors
PE</p>

<p>ECs:</p>

<p>-Volunteer at a teen-to-teen hotline, get approximately ~10 hours a week.
-Take American Sign Language outside of school (no credit, just for fun :D)
-Cabinet member of our school's GSA
-Part of the student council (no hierarchy)</p>

<p>I think that's it. Let me know if you need anything else. Thank you so much guys! :D</p>

2

<p>There really aren’t that many universities in California aside from the UCs and CalStates…</p>

<p>The only “midtier” private, Pepperdine, is religious.</p>

3

<p>Limiting your search to Southern California limits your options (and eliminates Stanford from your list!). Is that an absolute must?</p>

4

<p>No it isn’t. XD I prefer it, but I’m fine with any colleges in mid/Northern California!</p>

5

<p>I was thinking of a wider geographic range…an academic interest in gender studies is a good match for most women’s colleges. Scripps and Mills are in California, but there are many other good choices if you are able to consider East Coast schools.</p>

6

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<p>Besides all of the schools that the OP listed, there are a great many. OP, I’m not familiar with specific academic programs, but take a look to see if Mills (if you’re female) and Chapman would work. I know there is merit money at Mills, not sure about Chapman. Merit money at University of the Pacific and University of Redlands. </p>

<p>Santa Clara U and San Diego U (note–not Cal State San Diego) are both Catholic universities, but that shouldn’t be a problem for an atheist in the way that Pepperdine would be inappropriate. </p>

<p>If you’re male there’s Deep Springs, which is a very, very unique environment. </p>

<p>Would you be willing to look outside California? Or are you committed to staying in-state?</p>

7

<p>@Siliconvalleymom - Thanks so much! Never heard of Mills, I’ll check it out. And I really wish I could consider East Coast Schools, but I’m currently battling with Seasonal Affective Disorder (in the winter) and unfortunately the harsh snows every winter would essentially render me handicapped during the whole winter. :/</p>

<p>@SlitheyTove - Thanks for the suggestions! :slight_smile: I’ll definitely check out UoP, UoR, SCU, and SDU. As for the answer to the last question, look at my response to Siliconvalleymom.</p>

8

<p>You’d get merit at Chapman, Redlands and University of the Pacific. Santa Clara (NorCal) is very selective and doesn’t give a lot of merit, but if a Jesuit school appeals you might consider University of San Diego as suggested above. A smaller SoCal school that awards good merit aid is Whittier. Cal Lutheran gives merit to reduce its cost to that of UCSB for those who are admitted to both & choose Cal Lu. Not sure how religious it is.</p>

9

<p>You might look at Sonoma State, a PLAC. Small and in a very nice part of northern California. Safety for admission.</p>

10

<p>After looking through everything for a bit, I’ve definitely fallen in love with Mills as a match, and Whittier & University of the Pacific as safeties. I’m also definitely considering Sonoma State. </p>

<p>Thank you so much guys, you have no idea how much I appreciate your help!!</p>

11

<p>Loving your safeties and matches is a wonderful thing. :slight_smile: The Mills students I’ve known have been very happy there. </p>

<p>Gotcha about SAD. You could also look at University of Arizona, and/or the Barrett Honors College at ASU.</p>

12

<p>Loyola Marymount is also Catholic, but not a problem for an atheist. Frankly, nearly all the Catholic schools are usually fine for those who aren’t Catholic or whatever. No one is going to try to convert you or anything.</p>

<p>I would think that Chapman U would be fine as well. It might have some sort of religious origin, but nothing really now.</p>

13

<p>Obvious safeties would be the UCs and CSUs for which your GPA and SAT would put you in the upper part of the range of admitted students. The ultimate safety is your local community college(s) followed by transfer to a UC or CSU to complete a bachelor’s degree.</p>

14

<p>From how you describe yourself, I wouldn’t suggest USD as a match. It’s not Jesuit, it’s just Catholic. LMU is Jesuit and a more open. My D is there, and she says there are plenty of atheists.</p>

<p>You seem like a great fit for Occidental, Pitzer and Mills. I’d highly recommend Redlands as a good safety, and possibly Chapman. Also consider Cal Poly San Luis Obispo-- not as a safety, because it’s quite difficult to get into, but it’s a great school at a moderate price, and you will likely have the stats for it. And UC Santa Cruz would be a good match.</p>

15

<p>have the MSAR… based on statistics alone it just feels like it’s hardly worth the time and money to apply to out of state public schools. </p>

<p>And I realize that there are no real “safety” schools, but there is still a difference between Ross and UCSF.</p>

<p>I guess I was just wondering what CA applicants personal experiences and thoughts were on this.</p>

<p>Thanks</p>

16

<p>Thank you guys for all of your help!! :D</p>

17

<p>Many of the schools mentioned are overrated and overpriced (i.e. chapman) I think you would have a good shot at Santa Clara, LMU. I know of students with lower GPAs who have received scholarships from both because of their well rounded activities and community involvement. I would also consider Whittier College as a very solid safety.</p>