Santa won't make this list for me, or even check it once...

College Search & Selection
1

<p>That's where you come in!</p>

<p>This is my current list of colleges to apply to. Please assist me in narrowing, adding, and altering this.</p>

<p>-University of Washington*
-Eastern Washington University*
-University of Las Vegas*
-University of Oregon*
-Portland State University*
-Emerson College
-Endicott College
-Cal Poly SLO
-Cal Poly Pomona</p>

<p>*=In state or WUE rates</p>

<p>My family doesn't have a lot of money by any means, hence all of the WUE schools. I want to major/minor in event planning/management, photography, marketing/business, music business/management, or something along any of those lines. I am aware that Emerson does not have a good rep for aid, but I've always really liked the school, so I figured I'd just leave it on the list, just because. </p>

<p>I am looking for schools only in the following states: Washington, Oregon, California, Nevada (I'm not a huge fan but UNLV is really good in the area I'd be majoring in, my sister lives there, and it's got a WUE rate), Massachusetts, New York, and maybe Connecticut. I want to be somewhat near an urban area for the sake of internships and such. Please note that I've never been to the east coast in my life, but with all of the colleges there, it's hard to just say no to it.</p>

<p>I don't really want a big party school, but that's kind impossible to avoid I suppose. I am very into school spirit (after all, I've been a leadership student for 3 years), so a school with good spirit would be nice, (though obviously places like Emerson and Endicott aren't big in that area, but I figure they're close enough to schools that are...).</p>

<p>Location: Washington state
GPA: 3.8
Rank: Top 10%
SAT (retaking on November 5th, hopefully improving everything): CR: 560, M: 590, W:610
ECs are alright.</p>

<p>Your assistance would be very much appreciated.</p>

2

<p>good post title :). Caught my attention.</p>

<p>Emerson is kind of an odd one in this list. It’s not a traditional type campus. It’s incorporated into the Boston Commons area of Boston and a very urban school (campus is a city block full of what looks like office buildings). I personally love the school too, but it’s not at all a “school spirit” type of college. U of Oregon is known to have a lot of commuters (housing isn’t even guaranteed for first-years). Not sure you will really have the sense of school spirit/community there either. So cross off those two in my opinion. </p>

<p>I would look at some privates known for good merit aid. When you go through the book The Best 376 Colleges, look at the right hand corner of page and you will find the percentage number of non-need based aid offered to freshman. Look at schools that have stats somewhat lower than yours stats, and with a higher percentage. I don’t know if you qualify for any need-based, and that’s something you need to find out as well. Go to FAFSA forecaster on the gov site and do an estimated EFC. If you don’t qualify for much in need-based then focus on schools known for merit scholarships (referred to as non-need based aid). Out of state public schools will not generally offer you much in the way of aid, so that’s why I’m suggesting you look at some privates known for merit aid. Whittier, U of Redlands, U of Puget Sound, may interest you. Good luck!</p>

3

<p>Thanks! I try, haha.</p>

<p>I know Emerson isn’t one of the spirited, traditional schools really, but I figure I could sacrifice that, being in an exciting city and being around so many other schools (who says I can’t go cheer on other schools? ;]). I just really love their majors, internship opportunities, and all that. I don’t know that I’ll apply there still though just because of cost and distance though. UO seems to have a lot of spirit spread around Washington and Oregon (I see everyone in ducks gear at my high school whenever UO has a game it seems), but I understand what you mean. The housing situation would be a bit worrying. I suppose it’s not even close enough to the city for me anyway.</p>

<p>I was looking into Puget Sound, but their tuition is outrageous, and I heard that they’re not very good in the aid department, but I don’t know much. I’m on the fence with Redlands still. I qualify for a decent amount of need-based aid, I think. My dad doesn’t know enough of our financial info though. I’ll definitely be filling my FAFSA out the moment it becomes available in January though! </p>

<p>Thanks for your help :)</p>

<p>So far, where I’m definitely applying to:
-Eastern Washington U
-University of Washington
-Portland State U</p>

<p>Then, I’m most likely applying to:
-University of Nevada, Las Vegas
-Cal Poly SLO</p>

<p>Any more help, anyone?</p>

4

<p>I will only speak to the colleges I know first hand about. Cal poly, since are not in state will be as expensive as some privates. Dont expect any aid. Yes, business is well regarded. It is also impacted and you should really know for sure what you want to major in as you will be accepted or denied to that major. Changing majors is not easy. Gorgeous surroundings, fun campus, the SLO prestige, and furlough days and hassels getting classes. It is also a pain to travel back and forth to as there is no major airport.</p>

<p>University of Redlands was quite generous with merit aid and I have heard that they are the same with need based aid if they want you. Looking through the course catalog it seems business is a real strength of the school, offering several undergrad and graduate degrees. It may end up costing you less than some WUE schools.</p>

<p>Lee Pelton was the president at Willamette University for twelve years and recently left to lead Emerson. I liked and admired him and what he did for Willamette. I know knothing about Emersons programs, but am confident in its leadership.</p>

5

<p>Very insightful, thank you.</p>

<p>Redlands seems like a great school, but they’re too liberal-artsy seeming for me – there’s just not much that I find interesting major-wise there unfortunately.</p>

<p>Also, interesting and very good to know, thanks!</p>

6

<p>Anything else, anyone?</p>

7

<p>Help! Deadlines are coming!</p>