Second time around?

College Search & Selection
1

<p>First of all, I would like to say hello to everyone! And apologize for the long post in advance.</p>

<p>I am having a conflict between the caliber of schools I want to apply to and the constant negativity from my mom about the cost and such.</p>

<p>==Little about me==
I am a third year college student this is my third semester of community college, and I attended William Paterson prior to community college. I will be attending a four year school Fall 2007. I want to major in Bio or Chem or some combination (ex: BioChem.) I love science and want to do some undergraduate research. I am also a member of a fraternity.</p>

<p>==Stats & EC==
3.624 GPA
Presidents List, Phi Theta Kappa, CRC Chemistry Award
Student Gov, Ski Club, Peer Tutoring, Bio and Chem Lab Assistant (at school)</p>

<h1>Starting soon: volunteer @ local hospital & become active in church</h1>

<p>The type of schools I am looking at are Purdue + Virginia Tech + Rutgers (safety), Univ. of Cali. + ? (reach), DC schools + Ivy (high reach). As you can see there is a huge empty space in my schools. (FYI the DC schools and Ivys are mainly a dream, not sure if i really want to go there.) I have no question about getting into my safeties, but I can't choose my reach and high reach school.</p>

<p>The search engines narrow it down to 100+ schools, the books are written to make the author money and aren't much help, and the counselors at my college don't exist.</p>

<p>To add to the confusion I have family/financial issues. As you can see most of these schools are out of state and $20k+. My mom keeps pushing me to go to the school with the cheapest price tag. But I fear that these super cheap schools wont have a highly active student body or undergraduate research opportunities (both of these are important to me.) </p>

<p>Any tips, advice, or tidbits you can throw at me will be immensly helpful. I have to act quickly as some apps are due as soon as November.</p>

2

<p>First I would get a definite dollar amount from your mother that she's willing to pay. No use in applying to schools you can't afford. Use the calculator on this site to figure out what parent contribution will be expected. You need to figure out a FAFSA number and profile too for most of the profits.</p>

<p>Second, some of your best research opportunities will be found at large state universities. </p>

<p>As to chance, we need more information like test scores.</p>

<p>Also, are you trying to transfer as a senior? That probably won't be possible.</p>

3

<p>I didn't include test scores from high school as they wont be reported (in most cases) I am a sophomore+ in college and high school scores aren't requested by most colleges.</p>

<p>My mother hasn't paid for my schooling in 4 semester. After paying for 4/5 semesters myself I don't know how heavily to weigh her opinion. Also I seem to be on the back burner in my family. My sister is going to Europe next summer, they are getting another horse, etc. All while I rack myself into debt.</p>

4

<p>Just for kicks:
SAT 1110/1600 (Only took them once)
--Math 570/800
--Verbal 540/800
High school GPA = 3.4
High school rank 35% or above (i think)</p>

<p>Last semester I got a 4.0 while taking Gen. Chemistry 2, Gen Biology 2, and Physics w/ Calc 2. Also got 4.0 in Calc taken as summer course.</p>

5

<p>Why not look at some LACs that don't require test scores like:</p>

<p>Pitzer (scores optional)
Muhlenberg (scores optional)
Franklin & Marshall (scores optional)
Bates (scores optional)</p>

<p>They have good opportunities for science majors, and they generally meet need or come very close.</p>

6

<p>Isleboy -- test scores aren't going to matter, the OP is applying as a transfer student.</p>

<p>zeroboarder -- I don't know much about science, but I do agree with zagat, most good research opportunities are found at large state universities.</p>

<p>I would suggest you start with you in-state schools -- they will be the least expensive. Take a look at the classes offered, the activities they have and talk to some department heads. you can get a good feel for the school that way -- especially since you are older and more experienced than a high school senior, you can better evaluate a school.</p>

<p>See if you library has a book called Rugg's Recommendations on the the Colleges (or something like that). Look over the list of suggested schools for your areas of interest and then try and narrow that list down (eliminate those schools who don't offer activities you want, are too right/left, too/not enough religion, too small/large, weather, etc). Then take a look at the schools that are left and check into financial aid, graduation rates, job placement or graduate school placement rates, etc.</p>

<p>that should narrow your list and get you some really good school to apply to. It is alot of work -- but it will be worth it.</p>

7

<p>Actually, some of the schools he is interested in do consider test scores--especially the DC schools (with the exception of American and Catholic) and the Ivies. </p>

<p>That selective colleges do not consider test scores is a myth, just like the one where HS transcripts are not considered after an applicant has college classes under his/her belt.</p>

<p>There are exception to both of these, of course, but they require between 30-60 hours of college work, and they are usually public universities. Examples include: UTexas, Indiana, UMaryland, UOregon, Oregon State. A few private ones are: UPuget Sound, UDenver, Beloit, UMiami, Bard, American, Caltholic.</p>

<p>All the ivies require both the test scores and the HS transcript, as do the "better" liberal arts colleges and universities.</p>

<p>Likewise, the schools that gurentee to meet need, usually do take test scores/grades from HS into consideration for transfer applicants, hence the list of college that do not require scores.</p>

<p>BTW, I'd be careful using Rugg's and other guides that rank programs since they are generally biased towards large research universities. If you want to go to grad school in your field, the LACs might be better for you, depending on what is a best "fit".</p>

8

<p>I may be a little help to tell you that I live in South Jersey. (NJ state schools are unimpressive.) </p>

<p>Isle, I have not checked but I think that my HS record would have no bearing on my academics at this point. I have 76 credit hours and have been out of HS going on 3 years. This is why I said most schools wont be looking at these scores.</p>

9

<p>Z:</p>

<p>I'd say it's about 50/50, reguarding those that will or will not.</p>

<p>My last post was directed more towards hsmom. It seems that more transfers here on CC are beginning to believe that competitive colleges won't look at HS grades or scores, but that is not usually the case.</p>

<p>With Rugers, you're safe with respect to test scores since they do not require them, but they do require a HS transcript. VTech requires an official/unoffical HS transcript, no test scores. UCalifornia system does not require either. The Ivies, Georgetown, Johns Hopkins, and George Washington require both.</p>

10

<p>I just looked at some of the DC schools apps and YES they do require them.</p>

<p>However, would it be safe to say that my less then par HS record will no be weighed as heavily as my college record?</p>

11

<p>Yes, that is true. More weight will be given to your college performance and ECs, than your HS stuff.</p>

12

<p>Isleboy -- thanks for the info, that was a surprise! I have checked in a number of cases and none of the schools that I checked needed high school test scores. Most did require a high school transcript, but it was not used for admission purposes. I would guess that with 76 college hours under his belt, zero's high school record would not have a ton of weight.</p>

<p>The only reason I suggested Rugg's is that it tends to be a good place to at least start making a list. It gives someone a start at looking at what are considered good schools in an area and then they can add and subtract from there.</p>

13

<p>I am planning on getting that book and every other related book from the school library on Monday. I am also taking the "transfer advisors" hostage until they can give me some recommendations on schools.</p>

<p>I have decided my mom's opinion no longer has merit until she starts paying for my schooling again. Grrr..why must one be 24 to be considered an independent?!</p>

<p>Also, I feel inadequate with ECs. Any tips?? I am submitting a volunteer app for the local hospital on Monday. I couldn't go to church today (maybe that I haven't been in so long and am not into the whole religion thing.) I see people with pages of ECs and I can name a handful at best.</p>

14

<p>zeroboarder -- just like in High school, a few, select ecs that you really contribute to is much better than a laundry list. could you go deeper in the EC's you already participate in?</p>

<p>As far as your mom -- she will continue to give you advice (good and bad) forever! I am 42 and my mother still tries to tell me what classes I should take and what my major should be (I went back to school as an adult).</p>

15

<p>the Univ of CA schools are a sweet deal if you're in-state, but I can't see why anyone would go from out-of-state. For what you'll pay to attend a UC you could go to a good private school that has smaller classes, personal attention from profs, housing on/near campus, closer ties to alums, and that focuses on educating undergrads instead of grad students.</p>

<p>Don't get me wrong, the tradeoff in cost is well worth it for CA residents, but I scratch my head wondering why anyone from outside CA would pay full freight (estimated costs of $40K/year according to UC) to go there. And don't think they'll help out with financial aid, either; its tight enough for CA residents and there isn't enough to fund out-of-state students.</p>

16

<p>==ECs==
Ski Club (joined last week) (I am planning everything, president i guess)
Student Gov. (activity this Friday) (becoming a Senator at next meeting)
Peer Tutoring (Spring 2006) (starting again this week)
Lab Prep Assistant (Summer 2006)
Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society (started whenever they process my app)
Tau Kappa Epsilon (joined Fall 2005) (no chapter on the community college)</p>

<p>As you can see I started many of these this year, some of these I have yet to join.</p>

17

<p>mikemac: I am trying to make a list of schools to apply to and I guess I just picked some of the biggest names. Also California is the farthest I can get from my family which is driving me insane. (I guess Hawaii and Alaska are farther =P)</p>

18

<p>zero, you have to weigh in money or you will graduate owing too much. Do you know your parent's EFC? Do you have any idea what they are willing to contribute?</p>

<p>If they have a high EFC and won't contribute much, unfortunately many private colleges and OOS publics may not work. Big debt can really limit your future so investigate the money issues before deciding where to apply.</p>

19

<p>Z:</p>

<p>You're fine with the ECs....all the public schools don't much care about them. Catholic and American care slightly, while the Ivies, Georgetown, GW, and JHU care some.</p>

<p>BTW, I really hope you'll consider Pitzer, as it does not require test scores, meets 100% of need, and you can take classes at Scripps, Harvey Mudd, Claremont McKenna, Pomona, and The Claremont Grd school without any hassles as the are adjacent to eachother and combine resources.</p>

<p>In anycase, just do your best and you'll be fine for most of your schools.</p>

20

<p>zagat: This goes extremely deep, much deeper than I am willing to go into on the boards. Basically my parents have refused to file the FAFSA (use you imagination) and have not paid for any schooling since first semester freshman year. I understand what you are saying, but if they refuse to file I can't report an EFC or a FAFSA. Therefore I am stuck with a couple options 1) loans 2) wait until I am 24 become an independent and file my own FAFSA.</p>

<p>I am unwilling to wait 3 more years to finish getting my BS/BA, this would put me at an astronomical disadvantage being 26 when I get my degree and I would not do so well on MCATS having that huge gap. No to mention I would be 30+ before I finish med-school or graduate school.</p>