<p>Hello, like a lot a of people I'd love to spend my college years in Cali. Problem is, I live in Ohio, so driving is not out of the question, but would take like 3-4 days and flying back and forth would get expensive. </p>
<p>Ok, so the only school I've looked at a lot, and will probably apply to is USC. Maybe Pepperdine. But bot are expensive(Though USC is supposedly decent with aid). None of the UC's give tuition waivers, do they?</p>
<p>What do you think I could get scholarship wise with these stats?
GPA 3.7/4.25
ACT:30-31(28 first time w/ no prep, I know I can get at least a 30, I'm shooting for a 32 though.)
SAT: 2000
ECs: Eagle Scout, Ambassador, volunteer a good bit, job since 16.</p>
<p>To get scholarship money, you need to look at schools where your stats are at the top of their pool. If your scores do go up try UOP, Redlands, Whittier, USD, LMU.</p>
<p>USC has great aid for NMSF's -- automatic tuition discount. UCs do not have great finaid for in-state, so, no, OOS tuition waivers do not exist even if your efc is zero.</p>
<p>Your stats might be in the top 25% at LMU (Loyola Marymount University), which is a really nice school if you don't mind small. that would be my starting point for researching realistic financial options. It is a nice campus only a half mile from the ocean in an expensive neighborhood.</p>
<p>In regards to LMU, your stats are in the top 10%. There top 10% is 3.7 UW or higher GPA and 1300 or higher SAT. These students receive 12.5k a year to go. It is a great school for film or business. Hope this helps.</p>
<p>You really need to look at your stats and the schools. The UCs are not going to be in range for you, either in terms of money or acceptance.
Some of the other schools mentioned above might be in range.<br>
Don't forget to figure out the costs of getting back and forth. I have a child in school across the country.
Right now he can't get home for Christmas due to snow. We have had to rebook his flight several times. There have been trips to the airport and back to school too. The cost for this trip home is going to hit about $800. before it is all said and done.</p>
<p>Anyone know anything about USD? Is it a pretty good school?
Ohh, and my GPA will probably be a 3.8 UW, probably not 3.7 like I stated above, but I'm not sure. But that probably doesn't change too much.</p>
<p>I'd like to apply to schools like Santa Clara, USF, but I'm not sure how their aid is. I could probably get a little need based aid too.</p>
<p>The only thing your school suggestions have in common is that they are in California. I cannot see the same student happy at USF and USC.
What else are you looking for in a school?</p>
<p>I honestly know nothing about USF, and I doubt I'll end up applying there, but who knows. </p>
<p>But, I'd like big sports. I know really only USC has this, at least besides UCB, UCLA, SDSU, which I don't think I'll apply to.</p>
<p>Location: Somewhat close to the beach, but what I really want is to be close to a big city. Like <1 hour away from San Fran, LA, San Diego, etc...</p>
<p>Academics: I think I'm going to major in Finance/Econ, but I want to try and double major one of those with PoliSci. I want to work kind of hard, but I don't want to be studying 24/7, so not too cut throat. </p>
<p>Don't really care about diversity. I'm white and I'd rather not be with pretty much the same, as I am right now at a Christian H.S., but it won't be a huge a deciding factor.
Social life is pretty important. And a good alumni connection is always nice.</p>
<p>As far as size, just as long as it's >5,000 undergrads, I'll probably be ok, I don't want to go to a really tiny school.</p>
<p>The beach in San Francisco is a very different experience from the beach in San Diego. In Northern California, the water in the ocean is cold all year.
Have you had a chance to visit any of the schools you are thinking about?
One of our family friends loved the idea of USC until the campus visit, when the neighborhood surrounding the campus changed her mind.</p>
<p>To add to what Siliconvalleymom said, San Francisco. LA and SD are completely different types of cities. SF being a contained, walking city and LA and SD being cities of strung together suburbs. You need to visit these places, you're all over the board.</p>
<p>U San Diego could be good to look at, as could Santa Clara U. These are both right around 5,000 students so they could be a little small for you. LMU was a good suggestion by the other person too.</p>
<p>I felt the same way about going out of state to a school in California. I toured USC and Pepperdine but overall Pepperdine seemed to suit me better. USC is just too big.</p>