Hi I’m currently a junior so the college search is on!!! Don’t worry I do already have a list I started a while ago, but I’m just looking to broaden the sphere of what I’m looking at.
Sooo stats:
30 ACT
A’s in all except chemistry and 2 math classes
Took one AP class but will be taking 4 or 5 next year
So I’m still kind of unsure what atmosphere I’m looking for but I know I don’t like small schools. My limit is maybe 8,000 if i really like the school. But more medium or larger is good. I live in the Midwest, but I’m willing to travel. The only thing I can give you for atmosphere is don’t want somewhere slooooooow like Indiana. (Indiana is great-I just don’t want to live there)
Right now I’m looking to major is Cognitive Science BUT I might end up just going for that in graduate school so that’s not absolutely necessary, but if you know any good undergraduate programs that would be awesome.
So money isn’t really an issue but I would like to know how good of a value schools are. Like if a school is 40,000 a year that’s okay, but I want to know if it’s actually WORTH it.
Definitely check out UC San Diego. I’ve heard great things about their cognitive science programs. (It’s also large, in a great city, and you definitely have a shot at getting in with a 30 and good grades.)
You’d probably qualify for merit aid at University of Denver. Nice school, medium size, great location if you like the city, nice campus, good undergrad program even in cognitive sciences (they offer a Psych major with concentration in cognitive neuroscience).
Pretty much any LACs are out of the picture, but I wouldn’t dismiss them completely. I’ve worked with some students who originally thought that small schools would be too claustrophobic, yet after visiting and being accepted ended up at places like Haverford and Claremont colleges.
No school is really worth 40K+ a year. Grad school is an unsure prospect for you right now, but you want to keep the door open so minimize the major costs. Debt is no joke. For safeties and matches, look around in your state and in the midwest.
You interested in Ohio? I don’t know what programs any of the places I’m going to mention LOL but OSU could be a possibility. UIUC in Illinois is another one. I know you didn’t want Indiana but Purdue is nice and big too.
@lalalemma yeah I’ve heard that too! I’m also looking at Berkley…do you know how their programs compare? @LACexpert2 I’m making a few exceptions with the size…but I don’t know. Claustrophobia…yes. @TheDidactic UIUC is one I’ve been looking at forever…unfortunately they don’t have the programs I’m looking for exactly. Ohio is something I’ve been trying to explore…I’ve heard that Case Western has good programs but idk how I feel about Cleveland.
@Shortstack17 I’ve mainly heard about the cognitive science program at UCSD, but you probably can’t go wrong with any UC. Your chances will be better at UCSD though.
If your budget doesn’t extend past $40k and you’re out of state, you should probably
take any of the UC’s off your list. Current quoted COA for OOS is approx. $58k, with no chance of Regents or any scholarships for behavioral sciences.
Other schools that may be worthwhile for you to explore in your potential major might include WUSTL, IU-Bloomginton, GWU and Fordham.
WUSTL is not a realistic prospect for a student with a 30 ACT. Pitt and Temple should be on your list. University of Miami might be. A number of FL colleges are worth looking into, because the senior population in the state makes Cognitive Sciences an important field there, with lots of internship and research opportunities. UCSD is a bit of a reach, but not out of the question provided you are not applying to an “impacted” program. The out-of-state tuition is a bigger concern.
@hop 40k isn’t a limit…i was just giving it as an example. But I am concerned about value. Like, if I get into a school instate and in california, i would go to the instate if their programs were the same.
@woogzmama the thing is I’m looking at private schools too, in which case instate and oos tuition is the same. It would just be traveling costs that would make it higher.
Any help would be appreciated!