<p>This is my first post and I would appreciate any assistance I can get. My daughter is a junior in HS with grades of A/B(A few C's in the tough subjects like Physics). She has taken some practice SAT tests and her scores are nothing to write home about. Her goal is a college in NJ/NY or PA that is within a (2) hour driving distance from our home in Central NJ. She doesn't want a huge university but not a small community college either.</p>
<p>She is very active in HS, Varsity Cheerleading,Peer Leadership etc. She is looking to study History/Education or Political Science. Any recommendations on schools in this area that would fit the bill. We toured University of Delaware and loved it but hear that it's a difficult school to get into.</p>
<p>Finances are always an issue. We’ll be trying for financial aid and plan to do what we have to if it’s the right school including loans so any help would be much appreciated.</p>
<p>Davidson??!! Where did that come from? Sure, you can fly from Newark Liberty to Charlotte in less than two hours, but last I knew Davidson was located in North Carolina, not NJ/NY/PA.</p>
<p>I agree that an SAT range, along with GPA estimate and class rank, would be helpful if we are to give the OP some useful ideas of schools. For example, a few Cs’s in math and science courses may mean a 3.3 GPA, which probably rules out Swarthmore and Haverford, and which would make Lafayette, F&M and Gettysburg reaches.</p>
<p>I’d second Drew as a “home town” possibility. Reputable history program and the MAT is available through the Casperan Graduate School.</p>
<p>Lafayette, Villanova, and Lehigh are all about an hour away from most places in central Jersey. SUNY Binghampton is like 3 I believe. In NJ you have TCNJ, Rutgers (although may be too big), Drew, etc. In NY – Fordham. University of Maryland (also may be too big), Penn State – University Park (may be too large, but I hear that University Park is a much smaller campus). I believe that Monmouth has a good education department. </p>
<p>VeryHappy may have been referring to Dickinson instead of Davidson (Davidson is down south, Dickinson is in Pennsylvania).</p>
<p>Since finances are an issue I think we need to know the SAT scores. Unless the score is 1300 for 2 parts the private schools should be off the table. The money for a female with average SAT scores will not be there at a private schools.</p>
<p>My D had 1800 for her SAT scores and never had a C. Editor of an award winning newspaper and yearbook etc. Merit aid was zero.</p>
<p>Thanks for your help. Unfortunately, she’s a 1300 combined (all 3). Just doesn’t handle standarized testing at all despite being an honors S.S. student.</p>
<p>SAT tests are overrated IMHO. There are many SAT optional schools but since money is in play you need to consider public schools. The money will be iffy at most private schools for a female with average SAT scores.</p>
<p>Also if she wants to teach public schools may be a better option.</p>