Trying to find colleges is driving me insane...

College Search & Selection
1

<p>My parents are bugging me relentlessly about colleges, but I have absolutely no idea. No idea where I want to go, what I want to do, any of it. And now I have to take the SAT, and figure out colleges to visit... this is wayy too complicated. Uuuuuuugh.</p>

<p>Anyways! I can't figure this out, so could someone suggest some colleges to visit? I tried the college search thing and it gave out dozens of options, so no luck there. Here's a general description of me:</p>

<p>Currently a junior at a pretty hard school, academically. In Washington, at least, we're fairly well known for having a hard course load compared to other high schools. Nothing compared to the crazy private schools, but for a public school it's not bad. I have around a 3.8 cumulative GPA at the moment, unweighted. I'm taking the SAT in March, but I got around a 1800 on the PSAT this fall. </p>

<p>I do lots of music related extra-curriculars. I am a member of the school's zero period jazz band, I'm in marching band, concert band, and jazz band for the 2nd year and will continue next year. I marched drum corps last summer and will again this summer. </p>

<p>As for what type of college... I don't even know. I plan to minor in some type of music, maybe music composition. I'd love to major, but I also want to do something that's a bit more successful, I guess. For my major... I'm not sure. I've always been good at math, and decent at science, so there are some options there.</p>

<p>Honestly, there really isn't any place I would flat out refuse to go to college. I know I want to go to a large public school. I go to the UW campus regularly for drum lessons, and I really like it, although I don't want to go to UW. Ideally I'd like to go to a similar place though - big school, lots of people, in or right next to an interesting city with lots to do. Like I said I know I'll be at least partly studying music, so I want to go to a school with a good music program. Other than that... just a general good school. I'm not much of a partier, but I also don't want to go to a school that's known for not partying.</p>

<p>My parents want to go visit colleges over spring break (in April) but I have no idea where to suggest, so... yeah. Any ideas? If you need any more information just ask, but any help at all will be greatly appreciated. Thanks :)</p>

2

<p>Have your parents told you how much they can pay each year? That might cut your list down pretty quick.</p>

<p>After that, plan a trip around your state that will take you to one big public U, one small LAC, one school in a city, one in the suburbs, one in a small town, and if there’s one available, one in a rural location several miles from the closest town. Even if you don’t like any of the places you tour, a mix like this will help you think about what you do want in a college or university. Happykid found out that she wanted to be near a Trader Joe’s and to have decent public transportation.</p>

3

<p>Since you like UW, if you haven’t done a formal tour yet, why don’t you just start by visiting there?</p>

<p>Every state has a big friendly U with all the band and musical activities that you could want. However, you will be an out of state student paying a lot more money in order to attend UW’s next state peer.</p>

<p>For guidance on music schools, you might like to take a look at the Music Majors forum. Go back to the page where all the forums are listed, and scroll down to find it.</p>

<p>Have fun with your college hunt!</p>

4

<p>

Why not? It’s got everything you want - music, big, math & science… If your fear is that it won’t even be like leaving home, many people live in the dorms in their home town and find it’s just like living in the dorms far away. The only difference is that it’s easier to come home if you choose to.</p>

5

<p>UW is a great school and would probably fit well. As far as out of state, USC has a good music program (and music composition program). Frank Tichelli (probably spelled that wrong) is an amazing composer and apparently you can study privately with him your senior year. UCLA is worth looking at too. Also, maybe U Michigan.</p>

6

<p>An important factor is cost and financial aid, if you and your family cannot afford full list price. Put “net price calculator” into each school’s web site search box. Note that while in-state public universities can be good deals, many out-of-state public universities are expensive and will give little financial aid.</p>

<p>Minnesota and Stony Brook have relatively low out-of-state list prices. Utah, Virginia Tech, Massachusetts, Missouri, and Iowa State may also be worth a look in the lower list price schools.</p>

<p>Virginia and North Carolina supposedly give good financial aid to out-of-state students.</p>

<p>If cost is no object, there are many additional choices like several in California, Illinois, Maryland, Wisconsin, Michigan, Rutgers, Penn State, Texas, Texas A&M, Purdue, Georgia Tech, Ohio State, etc…</p>

<p>But Washington is a good school and should be under consideration.</p>

7

<p>Washington State should probably also be on your list of possibles.</p>

8

<p>As long as it’s not insanely expensive, like some of the California schools or Ivies, money isn’t a <em>huge</em> issue. </p>

<p>I just really don’t want to live in Washington. I spend each summer traveling around the country, and I love doing that. I want to live somewhere I’ve never been, somewhere new and not somewhere that I go to a few times a month anyways. Yeah, that does leave WSU, but it’s just kind of Washington as a whole. I’m definitely applying to UW, but it’s not my first choice.</p>

9

<p>Private and OOS public schools can charge as much (or more) than UCs and Ivies. UCBAlumnus as listed some good schools that are less expensive.</p>

10

<p>If you choose to visit University of Michigan, like suggested above, head up the road while you’re there and check out Michigan State. Sounds like the environment you like, plus gorgeous campus and great marching band and drum line, music school option, honors college opportunity, etc.</p>