Hello, I’m not sure where would like to apply to yet; however, I do have a couple of “long shot” colleges. I need some help and suggestions to some good schools I could get into! I don’t have the best credentials so any help would be appreciated, thanks 
GPA: 3.75 out of 4.00
Rank: 25/200
High School: Smaller city in Idaho
ACT: 28
Reading: 33
Math: 33
Reading: 33
Science: 27
AP Courses: I have taken all available at my school, and have received a score on the only one I was able to take junior year - APUSH (4). This year I am taking: AP Biology, AP US Gov. & Politics, AP Spanish Language., AP Comp. I also have taken a very vigorous course load.
EC’s: Student Council Treasurer, Volunteer Club president, Make-A-Wish president, Multicultural president, Book Club president, editor for school newspaper, tutoring, active participant in church volunteering.
Hooks: First Generation, Hispanic.
Like I said, any help would be appreciated - thanks!
What do you want to major in? What is your financial situation? Do you have plans to study and take the ACT again? You have a sort of double hook going by being Hispanic and from an under-represented state. A couple more points on your ACT composite could open up a lot of options for you.
Do you have any size preferences? Any geographic limitations? Have you got any on your list now, and why did you pick them?
@intparent I would like to go into the medical field - possibly a major in psychology with a double minor in bio and chem. My parents make enough to classify them as middle class. I also plan on taking the ACT one more time on Dec. 12th!
As for colleges, my main concern is academics. I want to go to a school that just opens up a lot of possibilities for an exceptional medical school - maybe an Ivy Medical School.
Ah, you are a senior. It is late in the game to be picking your schools. Your question leaves you with about 3000 schools to pick from… Here Is what I would tell you if you were a junior:
- Find your safety first. A school you know you can afford, you are almost certain to get into, and would be willing to attend. Often this is a state university. It doesn’t hurt to find two.
- You should research the WUE. You may be eligible for lower tuition at some western state colleges. Also a possible source of more affordable schools.
- Get a copy of the Fiske Guide to Colleges. Check with your GC or library. An older copy is okay, just don’t trust the test score ranges.
- Try to visit a few colleges if you can (this is the part you should have done last year). Check out a big state university, and a liberal arts college (like Lewis & Clark in Oregon). You need to have some idea what type of environment you like.
- Work with your parents to run the net price calculators on each college website (on the financial aid page). Don’t apply to colleges unless they show an affordable cost. This is super important, do it ASAP.
- Don’t worry about Ivy League med school. A doctor is a doctor no matter where they graduate from. Getting into any med school is a huge challenge, especially if you don’t test too well – a 28 ACT isn’t a great indication that you will have the needed MCAT scores for any med school.
- Your triple major plan may be unrealistic, especially if you want to keep your grades at the high level needed for med school.
- Google “Common Data Set” for any school you are interested in. Look at the test score ranges. Because of your hooks, you may find matches where your scores are on the lower end of ther 25-75% range. So a couple points under the midpoint of that range may still be a match.
- Right offhand, I’d suggest you research Lewis & Clark, Williamette, Occidental, and Scripps if you are female. Maybe also St. Olaf and Colorado College.