Suggest safety schools?

College Search & Selection
1

Feeling overwhelmed. My stats will likely not gain me entrance to UC’s. I’m applying for Fall 2018, and am interested in economics, biomedicine, communications or cog sci, but also love acting/theater and art. Ideally want a good CA school. Budget up to $35 k year. Out of state ok as long as cost not prohibitive. Think I could get any grant/scholarship aid?

Background: California native, Caucasian, not first gen, female, 504 plan for chronic disease

Stats:

3.5 uw/3.65 w
1290 SAT, 26 ACT. Retaking both exams.
Student Government (Love this)
Debate Team (Love this)
Cheer
Track/Field (nothing notable, just a team member)
School Composition Tutor
Spanish speaking
Worked full time last summer as camp counselor
Poetry published
Ballet
Coxswain
Awards for ballet; and school performance (freshman/sophomore yrs)
Attended economics programs, summer ballet intensives, engineering program
Forming Non-profit related to healthcare/children’s education.

Looking for suggestions of good safety schools for a major in either: Biomedicine, Econ, Engineering, Communications or Cog Sci. Would consider theater/dance/acting as a major. I know my interests are broad, but I really like all of that and could see myself happy in those fields.

Want medium to large school. Love city life, New York (spent a summer at Pace U dorms there), love CA, Boston, U Washington etc. Hope to be a coxswain. Like traditional historic buildings and “hogwarts” style library/dining halls. Social and likely join greek system. Want whole package. Not interested in a “high school” continuation type college atmosphere. Not a partier but ok with friends who do.

Any suggestions for good fit safety schools in the biomedicine, engineering, econ, cog sci or comm areas?

2

Not a safety, but you should consider USC because of your interest in debate. A friend of mine’s kid, who did very poorly her first two years of high school due to excessive partying, got a massive scholarship there because of her debating skills. So if you’re good, don’t overlook USC.

3

Thank you and I will…it’s a looong shot but I really really love debate. Did your friend’s kid receive awards/distinctions? So far I have not, but I started junior year and at my first regional competition (I am on novice team) I lost horribly to the number 1 varsity team (just a chance match up in parlay). However, I watched carefully and learned. After that I transformed into a novice machine (haha I need lots more practice, but i’m on my way) I’ve never liked something so much.

4

Your stats are still solid. Getting up your test scores could help a lot. I’d suggest focusing on one test and putting all of your effort into that. You seemed to perform better on the SAT, so possibly stick with that. Safety wise since you have cost constraints, UCs CSUs make the most sense. UCSC, UC Riverside, any of the lower CSUs make a lot of sense.

5

My first thought would be to pick a non-selective CSU that aligns with your interests. They are East Bay, Stanaslaus, Bakersfield, LA, Channel Islands, Sac, San Bernardino and Chico. They all accept 60% or more of their applicants.

6

NAU, Bradley, UNebraska-Lincoln, UMontana, Montana State, ASU Barrett.