<p>I just finished my UC applications, and I've decided to definitely apply for
some less selective (and possibly cheaper) schools in California.
My "stats" are pretty good but nothing outrageously amazing.
4.0 unweighted/4.36 weighted
SAT: 640CR, 710M, 800W</p>
<p>I prefer more residential settings. I'm looking to study economics (and its derivatives) or business. I was thinking of Cal Poly SLO, but calling that a safety school felt a bit presumptuous. Any ideas? (-:</p>
<p>-Thanks.</p>
<p>Apply to all the UCs. As easy as checking boxes and spending a little extra money. </p>
<p>The lower UCs should be good safety schools.</p>
<p>*I’m an Asian male living in California, with a family income a little over $100,000.
I’ll probably be applying for financial aid. The cost of living is pretty steep in my area,
so my parents aren’t really making much.</p>
<p>I’ll be applying as an Econ. major, or something very similar for most schools.</p>
<p>SAT Score-
2150 [CR: 640, Math: 710, Writing: 800]</p>
<p>I’ll be taking the US History and Math Level 2 subject tests next month.
I’m hoping/expecting somewhere in the low to mid 700s.</p>
<p>GPA (Excluding Senior Year)
Unweighted 4.0; weighted 4.2
It’s brought down a bit because I had no AP’s available in freshman year.
Classrank: Somewhere in the top 10%. Technically 1/544 because of unweighted GPAs.*</p>
<p>Your Math +CR is a 1350…that’s lowish for the best schools that you’re applying to. Many schools do not care much about the Writing section, unfortunately. </p>
<p>With an income of over $100k, you’ll get little to no aid from a UC besides a student loan. Cal might give you some aid, but I’m guessing that acceptance possibility is likely low for an Asian student with a sub 1400 M+CR. </p>
<p>How much is your family prepared to spend each year? If they’re not willing to spend $25k per year (with you also taking out a $5500 student loan), then “going away” to a UC isn’t likely possible. </p>
<p>Since it sounds like you need merit money, you need to quickly apply to some schools that will give you enough merit to be affordable based on what your parents will pay each year. Many schools have Dec 1 deadlines for scholarship consideration. The better-known Calif schools are not known for merit, especially for sub 1400 M+CR. The only Calif schools that I can think of that might give you some merit are: USD, St. Marys, Redlands, USF…but the amount of merit will not likely bring costs down below a UC. :)</p>
<p>Is there a UC that you can commute to? By commuting, you can save about $15k per year. Is there a Cal State that you can commute to? Are you applying to any CSUs? Going away to a CSU is about $10k per year less than a UC. </p>
<p>You may need to apply OOS to some schools that might be more affordable with merit for your stats. Maybe Arizona State? Alabama would give you a 2/3 tuition scholarship, BUT you’d have to quickly apply before Dec 1 (the app is easy, no essays, no teacher recs).</p>
<p>Chapman will also give merit, but you’ll still be paying around UC costs.</p>
<p>^^^
True.</p>
<p>That’s why it’s important that the student QUICKLY find out how much his parents will pay. His words suggest that their income just about covers their regular family expenses, and therefore they won’t be able to pay the amount that schools will expect them to pay.</p>
<p>It’s very common for Calif privates to give merit (for strong stats) that will bring costs down to almost the cost of a UC (COA about $32k). So, if the family can’t pay for a UC, then paying that much or a bit more for a private (with merit) won’t work either.</p>
<p>I would add Cal Poly SLO to your list as well.</p>
<p>Thanks for the thorough response, mom2collegekids!
I probably should think more about how I word things, because I could see how what I said might be misconstrued. (haha) Fortunately, my parents say we can afford the cost of a UC. Cost isn’t the biggest factor in my decision; I’m just trying to make a last-minute list of other schools to apply to. (-:</p>
<p>Other UCs and CSUs are obvious choices. Going to CC for two years and transferring may also be an option, though many CCs are overflowing these days, making them less attractive.</p>
<p>Some of the automatic-for-stats merit scholarships schools (e.g. Alabama, deadline December 1, 2/3 tuition for your stats) may be suitable for safeties.</p>
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<p>UCs don’t use race as a factor for admissions. </p>
<p>Cal Poly will cost about $10K less per year than a UC and is an excellent option. More like a match than a safety.</p>
<p>LMU, University of SFO/San Diego, Chapmans</p>