<p>So...I've posted a few times along this topic. Yet, I always had ideas on where to apply. As senior year approaches and I start getting applications I am finding myself to be a pitiful try for these schools or I find myself not really liking them much anymore. One thing or another is wrong. So, I am enlisting some help. From you. I beg, please help. I'll even give out cookies. And party favors. Come on, everyone loves party favors. </p>
<p>I want a small(er) school - class sizes topping at 20-ish students. I'm not sure what I want to major in, but English (Creative Writing), International Business, and German are all quite possible. Cost is a huge factor as I am not rich, nor do I think I'll get a lot of financial aid. I would like to take my horse to college. Location isn't a huge concern, although I'm not fond of the south/southwest.</p>
<p>My GPA is disgusting at 3.2 (sophmore year mess-up due to medical stuff, but I've raised it, finishing last semester with 3.8). My SAT scores are even worse (500 math/580 verbal/560 writing). I do plan on retaking it, but considering I did worse on my second try I hold little hope. </p>
<p>I don't have amazing EC's. I train my horse. I volunteer at the library occasionally with the kids programs. I'm on my school's literary journal. That's it. </p>
<p>Any place that anyone can think of for me to apply? I would like to travel abroad to Germany and/or England. If possible I would like a school with a little name recognition, but I think I'm already asking too much. I think being on CC for over a year has lowered my morale in myself, but oh well. haha. Thanks. :)</p>
<p>I'd like to point out that most intro classes everywhere are pretty large (sometimes over a 100 students), even at relatively small private schools</p>
<p>Once you get to more specialized classes or seminar/discussion based classes class sizes will go down to 20-30 or even 10ish.</p>
<p>Have you ever heard of University of Dallas? They are a small school, 1200 students. They have very high acceptance rates, over 80%, but they are starting to climb in the rankings. If you show interest, they would accept you. They're very strong in Liberal Arts, and if you like to travel abroad, birtually the entire sophomore class goes abroad to Rome for a semester.</p>
<p>University of Dallas is a great idea... No real feeling of "South/Southwest" in Dallas... Only thing it's got is the "hot" part. =) it's quite the cosmopolitan city, and UD is on the outskirts of it, in a very tree'd area of town. Since you're on the outskirts, there'd be plenty of places within driving distance for you to find a good stable for your horse.</p>
<p>Another place that pops into my mind is Reed... Not sure why. I don't know a whole lot about it, but you remind me of a friend of mine who's at Reed. =) It'd be worth finding more details, probably... Can anyone comment on Reed?</p>
<p>thanks for replying so fast. :) I will take a look at U of Dallas and Reed. Any other ideas? </p>
<p>I know all universities have drinking, but I couldn't go to a place with all drinking and partying. Personal reasons mainly, but I loathe drinking. </p>
<p>No, I'm not picky at all. Thanks for putting up with this.</p>
<p>I don't know how good of a school it is, but you can find out this summer whether or not you get in. Longwood University has a an Immediate Decision Plan where you take your filled out application to the school, and while you're touring the school, they review it and tell you whether or not you're accepted. I reccomend this as a safety for people who are worried about where they're going to go. There's more information at longwood.edu if you go under prospective students, then to undergradute, then to admissions.</p>
<p>As for Reed, that's definitely going to be a reach for the OP. It's got a 47% acceptance rate, an avergae GPA of 3.8, and an average SAT score of 1359.</p>
<p>University of Redlands, Willamette, Puget Sound, University of San Diego, University of Portland, Southwestern are all good schools with small classes</p>
<p>EARLHAM!! And Carolyn knows a lot about Earlham!</p>
<p>Great equestrian facility and a non drinking campus. (Officially "dry" but a bit damp is probably more realistic.) It is a bit of a reach for you but not out of the question.</p>
<p>Go on the ncaa website, and look for schools with equestrian teams. They will have facilities. There are some that are a good match for you and your stats. Hollins comes to mind. Many horsey schools will be party schools though.</p>
<p>How about Miami University Ohio? A cousin graduated from there several years ago and was heavily involved in the equestrian life there. I beleive she also minored in German. Loved the school. Old SAT's I think are around 1200 so you only have to raise yours a little bit and you can show some great grades for senior year. I also beleive in state you get 10,000 off tuition.</p>
<p>What about Centenary College or Virginia Intermont? You can get into both of them. They are small, liberal arts. They have the best equestrian programs around, and you can take your horse. They do not emphasize SAT, and with a 3.0 or higher you're probably in. Realistically, any school that you apply to that fits your standards, will not be cheap.</p>
<ol>
<li><p>How much are your parents willing to pay a year for your college? This is the first thing that you need to find out about. There's no reason applying to colleges that you can't afford.</p></li>
<li><p>After you do that, I strongly suggest that you look first in Ohio since that's your home state. Also, take a close look at the public colleges. For average college-bound students, usually the most affordable college is an in-state public. Your stats are average for college students, and you don't seem to have any hooks that would allow you to get great merit aid. Consequently, I doubt that you'd be able to afford to go far away to college. </p></li>
<li><p>You also would like to bring your horse with you. That's difficult and expensive. Consequently, it probably would be best if you apply to colleges that are relatively close. </p></li>
</ol>
<p>Anyway, my advice is to talk first with your guidance counselor, and also ask around at your school to find out where students similar to you have gone.</p>
<p>Also check out things like Loren Popes' web site: Colleges that Change Lives -- lots of info about small colleges that may meet some of your standards. This include some that are either in Ohio or nearby: Just make sure that your parents can afford them.</p>
<p>Keep in mind: The amount that your parents are willing to pay for college may be far less than what colleges expect your parents to pay. Even colleges that guarantee to meet 100% of students' demonstrated need can meet that need mainly with loans.</p>
<p>Your lack of strong ECs probably won't matter at the colleges that you apply to. Very few public universities consider ECs for admission. In general, it's only the very top private universities that consider ECs that much -- and that's because they have such an overabundance of high stat students that the colleges can pick and choose to create a diverse class in all meanings of the word.</p>
<p>Most colleges accept the majority of their applicants, and most college applicants have stats similar to yours, so there definitely are lots of 4-year colleges that could admit you. You just need to be realistic about costs and about distance if you plan to take your horse.</p>