<p>UMass...where to begin. The campus is a dump, the students party way too much, the facilities are awful, they accept anyone with a pulse (it's over 80%), their drinking practices are something of legend, their budget cuts as of late have dramatically affected everything about the college, they're losing faculty because of the financial troubles, class size is too big, few sections of each course are offered (if you're lucky enough to have more than one), and you could probably have your own pot farm in your dorm without anyone really caring.</p>
<p>(In case you can't tell, no, I don't like the college.)</p>
<p>I do not believe it is. It seems like a real liberal campus too, it is Boston :). Boston is a real college city with lots diversity! There are some safety schools in Boston that you could check out too, like Suffolk University. I think you have a shot at NE depending on the school you are applying to within the University.</p>
<p>Which is a better city to attend college: Boston or Philadelphia? I've grown a huge love of The City of Brotherly Love, but I like Boston also. </p>
<p>I wouldn't have a problem trekking off to Boston if it really is that nice.</p>
<p>Well I think that both places can be alot of fun. Phili would be a little closer for you. I know kids that go to La Salle and love Philadelphia. I would pick the best fit for a college because I think that is more important. You will have places to go for entertainment in either city.</p>
<p>sweetsaz79, I can only speak to UMass-Amherst. From what I've heard of the other campuses, they're pretty good. I just don't know enough about them to really say either way.</p>
<p>I liked what I read about Hood College in Maryland. Seemed like a nice place, but probably no diversity. I already recommended McDaniel, which is very diverse. A lot of people speak highly of Goucher, but I'm pretty sure it's almost entirely female.</p>
<p>sweetsaz79 - First, congratulations on being proactive in your college search and what is right for you. You are miles ahead of most of your counterparts. As for suggestions, consider the University of Pittsburgh. For an undecided major, the University of Pittsburgh (Pitt) offers quality programs in all the areas you mentioned. Assuming you are a resident of Pennsylvania, Pitt's tuition is reasonable as a state related university. Pitt's campus is in the cultural heart of Pittsburgh with the Carnegie Museum, the city's main library, and other attractions. Relative to Temple and other state universities (with the exception of Penn State), Pitt is a "cut above". Pitt is diverse in a diverse city that beckons at your door. </p>
<p>Having grown up in a blue collar suburb of Philly, I was not steered to the offerings of some fine universities in western Pennsylvania until I researched on my own as you are doing. Take a look at Pitt. You may be pleasantly surprised.</p>
<p>I am thinking from your posts, that you are a NJ resident. You might check out Rowan. It is a half our out of Philadelphia, I believe. I do not know if they offer the major you might be interested in. Their strength is education and I think that they began as a teacher' college and have expanded from there. It has a better reputation than William Paterson.</p>
<p>I agree re: Drew. Also, try (Md.) McDaniels College, Salisbury, Hood, Goucher - UMBC may be a reach but try it as I think they are seeking more out-of-state students. Washington College avoid as I don't think the student body has a particularly great handle yet on the diversity thing...
Va. Roanoke, Lynchburg, Longwood
PA. Rowan, yes - also York College, Susquehanna, maybe even Allegheny if they are seeking more minority students</p>
<p>Lonestardad, thanks, I need to be kind of proactive as my family isn't really helping with the search. (Mom doesn't have anything saved up :(, and all she says is "don't look into those no-name schools, like you are) <---she was speaking of the University of Pennsylvania system, which I happen to like.</p>
<p>However, Pitt does interest me, but my only qualm is that I'd like to be able to drive home in less than 5 hours, and I hear it takes about 9 or 10 to drive across PA, which is SCARY.</p>
<p>Rowan...what can I say about it. I know that you shouldn't make a decision based on just driving past the campus, but the place is in the middle of nowhere. I don't mind scenic places at all, but I kind of felt trapped...it's really sad to have had to cross out the name off my list, it would have made a good slight reach. =/</p>
<p>Oh, I know Will Pat doesn't have this awesome rep. But it is a qualified safety (I don't exactly plan to attend, but I wouldn't be miserable going there either.)</p>
<p>Does anyone have any other changes to my list of colleges in my first post? I would like to know if I'm mistaken as to my safeties, matches, and reaches.</p>
<p>P.S. I don't mind a small school (i.e. 1500 or fewer students) but I don't prefer them. I thrive on sheer numbers. :)</p>
<p>Oh, and just as a sidenote: would my scores for CR being in many of my schools high end help any? For example, I am 100 points above Temple's 75th percentile for Verbal, and 40 above for Math?</p>
<p>I have a 690 in Verbal (I wasn't happy at all with it...my highest practice test showed 750 and I was hyped)...maybe not as impressive on this site, but still in the 94th percentile all around...would that help? </p>
<p>690/630/620 CR, M, W if anyone was wondering.</p>
<p>I came to this link looking for suggestions for my 2nd kid to go to college an dgot caught up in your thread! UMASS Amherst-I am an old alumni. Not as bad as some say, not as good as some think would be my thought. Amherst is very pretty-University is so large that it is more diverse than might appear. Not inexpensive for some one from out of state. Northeastern-I just marched around N'eastern with my first college student-very cool school, lots going on, lots of building-check out the work study style of learning-it's different so be sure you understand it before you get too excited. It's co-op, you go for 6 months, intern for 6 months go for 6 months, that's not exactly right but you get the idea. UMASS Boston-commuter school, UMASS Dartmouth-not very diverse, UMASS Lowell-commuter school. How aboutUMaryland? Quinnipiac-I have never heard good things about from serious (as in not there just for the party) students. Sounds like you had some good suggestions, I just encourage you to get away a little bit-Won't a lot of the people from Pennsylvania schools be from NJ., PA. and NY? U hartford sounded good too Good luck and stop apologising-it seems like you have already done a lot in your life, I am impressed and I'm an old fart</p>
<p>I have heard good things about the business school and therapy programs (ie: physical therapy) at Quinnipiac. I have not heard great things about Univ. of Hartford. I have a friend who took her D to UHartford and she reported that many students there were unhappy and were looking to transfer.</p>
<p>Aw, thank you...:) my mom, upon hearing of your post, was like "I TOLD you so!"...and for once, it's not painful to be wrong haha.</p>
<p>I was just worried that my GPA was a bit low, or that the people looking over my application would think I was lazy because my SAT score wasn't on the same level as my GPA...would that happen?</p>
<p>Anddd, what about the schools in Philly: Philadelphia U, Temple, Drexel? Would any of them be out of reach for me? (It WOULD be nice to get away, but I spent about 3 hours in Philly and it just CLICKED.)</p>
<p>Hmmmm, that's sad to hear (about UHart)...it would make a great safety. Any other opinions supporting/disagreeing? (sp?)</p>
<p>Physical Therapy...one of my possible majors. However, I wouldn't put it on my searches, as it just narrows it down to school I find unsavory. However, good thought...I would love to major in it later on.</p>
<p>sweetsaz79 I would be very suprised if you were not accepted to all of the schools you just listed. I would think you will be offered scholarship (merit) $ too- look at the other posts about Drexel regarding that.</p>
<p>sweetsaz79 - I continue to be impressed with you and I'm sure Admissions Committees will be as well given your "take charge", proactive attitude. Very few high school seniors (including on this CC board) have been as conscientious and considerate as you have been in responding specifically to individual posters as you have. This will also impress the Admissions personnel, alumni interviewers, etc. when they see this. Do a solid "trend is up" first semester of your senior year and you should be in good shape. Your SATs at 1940 are very good and with any underrepresented minority status, this could also be a boost for admissions. Now to respond more specifically to your later posts.</p>
<p>Based on your strong SATs and good EC's plus a rising GPA, you appear to have strong credentials for most of the schools you listed. For instance, Philadelphia University with a 1058 average SAT should be a shoo in. Drexel University with an average 1210 SAT and gpa of 3.51 looks like a winner too. Be sure to factor in with Drexel that they are a "cooperative education" school very similar to Northeastern U. in Boston. As you stated, UMBC may be more of a reach.</p>
<p>A couple other possibilities - Syracuse University in New York with about 11,000 and a range of quality programs may be interesting to you. Based on "mapquest", Syracuse is 236 miles from Clifton, New Jersey and four hours drive time. However, it is in the snow belt of New York state, too. </p>
<p>One last college try regarding Pitt, via "mapquest" it is a bit more than your five hour 250 mile criteria (367 miles and 6 hours 15 minutes drive time to Clifton, N.J.). However, it's out-of-state tuition is only $17,098. Pitt has roughly 17,000 students (both grad and undergrad) and is only a stone's throw from Carnegie-Mellon U. I like Philly a bunch, too, and for similar reasons I also like the city of Pittsburgh and the great variety of experiences open to students in a very diverse city.</p>
<p>Finally, you are definitely not "average". You have a positive motivation and spark that lots of kids your age don't have. I bet you are a natural leader in your school. This will also show itself to Admissions Committees.</p>