Sister's College Search

<p>Hello CCers,</p>

<p>My parents were having a little bit of trouble with my younger sister and her college search (I recently finished mine) and they had asked me to kind of scope out some college possibilities for her. As her numbers indicate, she hasn't applied herself much throughout high school.</p>

<p>Generally, she seems to be interested in design, art, and social sciences (mainly sociology). She has never been sure whether she might want to attend art school or a traditional four-year university. Her main concern is just finding a college that fits her academic abilities and interests. We have used the Counselor-o-matic and the CollegeBoard thing, but I'd like to hear a few personal opinions in addition. </p>

<p>GPA: 2.65UW; 2.77W
SAT: 1100: CR480 M620 --> I am working w/ her to bring up CR to 600
Rank: Top 50%
Interests: Art, Design, Sociology, Psychology</p>

<p>Suggestions? Does anyone know of any universities/colleges that might suit her?</p>

<p>state college??? maybe???</p>

<p>I don't know where you are, but if she's really good at art and design, savannah college of art and design is really really good. Then again, there's always that chance that if she decides to change her mind, she would almost have to switch schools to change her major. There's not a lot of flexibility. Other than that, she could go to a small college nearby and then transfer later...</p>

<p>That's what she was thinking about. The problem is convincing her not to be too picky when there isn't all that much room to be. I know she could probably go to most or some of the colleges in the Univ. of Texas system (UT Austin aside), but I don't know if she would want to do that. I'm still up for suggestions.</p>

<p>if i was her, i would go to cc and then transfer</p>

<p>that gpa and sat score needs a lot of work.</p>

<p>I'm aware of the problems and I'm not really looking for a critique. I know CC tends to be comprised of above average students, but I was just wondering if anyone might know of some schools in their areas that average students go to and that might have decent programs in her areas of interests.</p>

<p>HS grades are BS...don't pay any attention to them...I would suggest CC and then transferring...she has a lot of different interests. I don't see any reason to pay expensive fees for a 4-year college to "explore" At CC she can take classes in any of these areas and transfer to a school of her choice...but that only depends on how motivated she is to transfer.</p>

<p>does she have a preference for location of school or size of school?</p>

<p>What about Hampshire? They let you design your own major and they don't require test scores and a significant amount of the kids who are admitted have less than 3.0 GPAs. Or maybe also Bennington, it's really small but it's supposed to be sort of alternative and very much an artsy, humanities/social sciences-oriented place and they don't require test scores either. Lawrence is very artsy and doesn't require test scores. The College of Santa Fe is also really artsy but also offers humanities/social science majors and isn't very selective. Antioch is REALLY alternative but I'm not sure about its reputation. You could also look into Earlham or Beloit or Hendrix.</p>

<p>Is your sister a junior or a sophomore? Because if she's a sophomore she can still bring her GPA way up if she really tries. If she's really into her art, she should pursue ECs that involve art and/or take AP Art, if they offer it at her school. If she's really passionate about her interests it could make up for her GPA.</p>

<p>If you want more perspectives you should go to the Princeton Review's message boards. They're a little more down-to-earth and less critical.</p>

<p>Lawrence is a wonderful school but it is not easy. When my son picked it over more well known places I told him that he had chosen the most academically oriented one. He said that he knew. They don't require test scores but they require students willing to work. I would recommend that your sister try to improve her grades.</p>

<p>I would like to second the recomendation for Hampshire/Bennington. Last year, we had a senior from our graduating class go to each of those schools, with similar stats. I think the one that went to Hampshire had 2.9uw GPA and a 1150 SAT and the one who went to Bennington had a 2.8uw GPA and a 1160 SAT. I knew both of those girls, and they absolutely LOVE the schools. </p>

<p>Bennington, in addition to being very artsy, is also very liberal, so if your sister is conservative ... maybe not the best option. However, they did send the girl that got in a container of maple ... which we all though was pretty awesome.</p>

<p>I would look into the Colleges that Change Lives. It is not terribly difficult to be accepted to them, and they are good schools. I applied to two of them myself, though I turned them down for my first choice (not a CTCL school, but whatever). </p>

<p>What about St. Olaf College?</p>

<p>CC then transfer imo.</p>

<p>what about amert, swarnore, willin or willestly? these are great schools for slow learners. your sis might be interested.</p>

<p>go to caltech... they are great at art & design, and psychology, and with their admission is a piece of cake</p>

<p>4 universities come to mind:</p>

<p>Arizona State University
University of Arizona
University of Iowa
Virginia Commonwealth University</p>

<p>u know im kidding rite.. about the caltech thing.. so dont apply there if ure gonna do art! lol</p>

<p>you didnt specify location or size, but here are some northeast suggestions, all with decent art/design programs (every college has psych and soc):</p>

<p>university of hartford
quinnipiac (ct)
suffolk (ma)
roger williams (ri)
salve regina (ri)
springfield college( ma)
champlain college (vt)
keane state (nh)
hampshire (ma)</p>

<p>If she is interested in coming south (to NC) both UNC-Asheville and East Carolina University are good for art.</p>