Suggestions, perhaps?

College Search & Selection
1

<p>Because why not?</p>

<p>I'm a rising senior in Illinois, who hasn't always completed his homework on time, especially during my freshman and sophomore years. As a result of this, my GPA isn't the highest.
Since people around me are all but useless in the searching process, I humbly turn to you, as-of-yet nameless poster, to illuminate me regarding the vast darkness and obscurity that is "the college search."</p>

<p>Basically.</p>

<p>GPA: 3.3 UW, roughly the same Weighted (My school doesn't rank, fortunately.)</p>

<p>ACT: 33</p>

<p>SAT: 2190 (2200 superscore'd)
CR: 800
M: 660
W: 730</p>

<p>EC's and the like: 4-year member of the Band and Orchestra, Marching band, pep band, various other music-related activities. 4-year member of the varsity Swimming and Water Polo teams. I'm also a writing tutor at my school. A few community service hours, but nothing like building houses for habitat of humanity or anything. Currently Lifeguarding over the summer, however relevant that is. I'm sure that there are some other minor things that I'm forgetting.</p>

<p>Cost is an issue, but there's quite a bit of leeway. Anything over 30K could be a problem. </p>

<p>As for a possible major, everything has crossed my mind from Philosophy to Physics, so that's not a concern for me right now. </p>

<p>So there it is, nameless poster. If you would be so kind as to judge me, so I can wallow in the soul-crushing agony of broken dreams, it would be most appreciated.</p>

<p>Edit: 209 PSAT, if it makes any difference.</p>

2

<p>What kind of a high school do you go to? Your SAT and ACT seem awefully high for your GPA. </p>

<p>University of Illinois comes to mind as does U Chicago for a reach.</p>

3

<p>Yeah, what's wrong with U. Illinois-Urbana?</p>

<p>Let's see, ah, yes, here is the page. I just got off the phone with the financial aid office. As U. Ill Urbana is ranked 38 IN THE COUNTRY by Newsweek or U.S. News & World Report (I always mix them up) , the university can just blow off the National Merit finalists who apply to their school. They get $500 if in-state, and nothing at all if they are out of state.</p>

<p>Oh, I see it. $28,866 in in-state costs. Yes, it's expensive.</p>

<p>Your stats and modus operandi in 9th and 10th grade were like my own child's. You are not the only one! Best wishes in your search.</p>

4

<p>U of I's always been an option, however cost is a concern, as well as even being able to get in. I'm sure some stories of the school's selectiveness are bordering on hyperbole, but I'm still concerned, though I suppose whether I can get in or not is a question for another thread.</p>

<p>Regarding any sort of "hook," I don't really have one. I'm a white male from a fairly well-off family who isn't super-excellent at sports and doesn't really have the desire to pursue music as a career. The more options I have, the better.</p>

5

<p>My d has stats like yours, although she flip-flops on the writing and reading, up on one, then will be 80 points lower on the other, and vice versa. Just curious, do you love to read and do it a lot? What are your favorite reads? </p>

<p>Your SAT math is a little low in comparison. Did this hold true on the ACT?</p>

<p>Also, did you ever take debate class? Can you schedule it now? It will tell you whether to pursue law or education if it turns out you like justifying or explaining a point of view on your feet, so to speak.</p>

<p>Check out U.Va, it's $18,000 instate, so will be close to your $30,000 cut off. </p>

<p>You want a bigger school in my opinion since you don't know what you want to do and do almost as well in math (which means you could go with engineering) as verbal areas. Because you don't know your career, you might need more guidance from teachers, which points to liberal arts as opposed to state schools; however, I'm counting on the Honor's College to make my d feel like she belongs at the big state u I have my eye on for her.</p>

<p>Can you visit some colleges to get an idea of what you might like? Just whatever is in your area, see if you have a strong reaction one way or another to a certain size of campus, or urban/rural setting. That narrows down some. </p>

<p>You could get the list of top 100 schools in the country, drop to about #30 or so (due to your GPA and inability to get financial aid) and start investigating websites. I know you don't qualify for financial aid, nor does my d, which limits her options.</p>

<p>the more you become informed, the more likely that you will start formulating some opinions. Also, pay attention to some of the comments on CC about campus environment. I plan to avoid some schools just because of the info I picked up here about their reputations in some areas that I have strong opinions about (I don't intend to clarify that).</p>