<p>So I'm trying to decide between these four schools. I'm currently waitlisted for UVM but I sent them a letter and a counselor recommendation so we'll see what happens. For the others however, I'm having a hard time distinguishing between them academically. I know what programs are good for each school, but I'm not sure how to determine which carries the most overall prestige. </p>
<p>As of now Fairfield seems to be the highest ranked, but I was hoping to go to school somewhere more interesting than suburban Connecticut. If it were solely based on location for me I would pick Hawaii but obviously I want to have a degree actually worth something.</p>
<p>I'm still trying to decide what to study, but I know I like political science (then eventually law school) and marine biology, or film studies if I go to UNCW.</p>
<p>No matter where I go I'm seriously considering transferring to a University of California school because I missed their deadline this year and they were my top choices. So if anyone has any information on these schools individually, or which one would be easiest to transfer to a better school from, I'd really appreciate the help. </p>
<p>Sorry for the long post by the way, just a little overwhelmed.</p>
<p>So, your actual choices are UNCW, UHManoa, Rollins, and Fairfield.
Among those, UHManoa is the least academically demanding so I wouldn’t keep it on the list unless you intend on living in Hawai’i or are really into surfing.
Although, if you want a beach and surfing, UNC W is right there, and Rollins isn’t bad. So, really, you don’t need UHManoa.
What about costs?
Can you give us (tuition+ R&B) - (grants+scholarships) = ?
What’s your parents’ budget?</p>
<p>My parents would be paying full everywhere except for Fairfield (I added on my scholarship), but their budget isn’t tight so cost isn’t as much of a factor. Here are the Forbes costs:</p>
<p>UNCW - 30k
UHManoa - 38k
Fairfield - 45k
UVM - 48k
Rollins - 58k</p>
<p>And I know rankings aren’t that “accurate” but UHManoa is actually ranked a good bit higher than UNCW. I’ve heard mixed things about UNCW which is why I’m concerned (otherwise it would likely be my top choice). My guidance counselor hasn’t done the best job of describing the reputations of these schools so I’m basically going into this blind aside from what I read on the internet.</p>
<p>But all other considerations aside, which of these schools would give me the best chance of transferring to somewhere like UCSD or UCSB?</p>
<p>
</p>
<p>UCs take most of the transfer students from California community colleges, which they have course articulation agreements with, as listed at <a href=“http://www.assist.org”>http://www.assist.org</a> .</p>
<p>Be aware that California community colleges will likely be about $24,000 per year for out-of-state students, and UCs about $55,000 per year for out-of-state students.</p>
<p>Always choose a school as if you were to stay there 4 years, but that’s the most likely outcome.
Your odds of getting into a UC from a 4 year college from outside CA are about 1 in 5 since most students (about 2/3) are admitted from CA Community colleges.
UNCW is actually the 2nd ranked university in the UNC system which includes 17 colleges (outside of engineering, where NCState reigns supreme). It’s #1 for film and marine biology and the honors college is pretty strong. However, because it’s not the state’s flagship, it’s ranked among “regional” universities. But its reputation in NC is quite strong.</p>
<p>Some numbers:
UHManoa is the state’s flagship but it’s a second tier flagship. For this reason, it’s quite weaker than the other universities. 80% applicants are admitted, average GPA is 3.4, and the top 25% students have 610M, 580CR.
UNC W admits 54% applicants, average GPA is 3.9, the top 25% students have 630M, 620CR.
UVM admits 77% applicants, average GPA is unknown, the top 25% score 650M, 640CR.
Rollins admits 56% applicnts, average GPA is 3.4, top 25% scores are 640 for both M and CR.
Fairfield admits 71% applicants, average GPA 3.35, top 25% scores are 630M 620CR.</p>
<p>As a NC resident, I can affirm that UNC-W has a strong reputation.</p>
<p>Alright thanks for the help, those statistics definitely gave me a better idea of what I’m looking at. </p>
<p>I’m wondering now if maybe trying to transfer to UNC Chapel Hill from Wilmington would be a better idea? I can see myself staying at UNCW all four years moreso than my other current options but I’d still like to try and go for the best school possible.</p>
<p>Also would it make sense to do a year of community in CA if a UC was really my top choice? It sounds like it’s actually easier to get accepted from a community college there than one of these universities.</p>
<p>You’d have to do two years (and probably three due to overcrowding) at community college before you could apply to UC’s. Yes it’d be easier to get into a UC for your last 2 years* from a CA community college, but why pay that much when you have excellent 4-year options that are also cheaper?</p>
<p>You can try to transfer into UNC-CH if you wish, apparently some UNCW students do that every year, but if you got into the honors college then you may not want to. (I think some of the colleges on your list still accept honors college applications, BTW. Send one if you can. Good perks.)</p>
<ul>
<li>depending on majors, this may be 3 years, because not all CC’s have major prerequisites, especially in STEM or in more rarely taught subjects.</li>
</ul>
<p>Oh ok I guess that would be kind of a pain. I’ll keep thinking about it though, maybe some sort of gap year could be an idea? My mom’s expressed interest in me doing that, but idk how easy it would be to get accepted into schools that are better than the ones I have now.</p>
<p>I guess the other big question is which of these schools could get me into the best law/graduate school possible? I probably won’t be in honors this year because I was accepted from the UNCW waitlist but you can apply freshman year too. With or without honors I plan on doing much better than I did my first 3 years of high school and based on this year I know I’m capable of straight A’s.</p>
<p>I’m not sure why you want to do a gap year though. A gap year can be a terrific idea if you can alter one part of your application, but in your case your biggest problem is your grades/GPA and you can’t change that. How would you use your gap year? Would you work full time, volunteer, travel, a mix of these? Where would you apply?
What would be your goal during that gap year? Is it because you think you can get into better schools? Get better financial aid? What are your mother’s motivations in suggesting the gap year? Does she think you ought to go to better schools, is it financial (get merit aid, apply to a wider range of schools)?</p>
<p>I would most likely do some sort of work/volunteering abroad. Mostly to figure out what exactly I want to do with my life and just gain experiences. I would hope it strengthens my application and then apply to UC schools as well as others (that I now know are within my range).</p>
<p>I just got into UVM from the waitlist so for now the decision is UVM or UNCW. Kind of going back to the original question, is one obviously better than the other? I’m assuming it’s UVM just because of the rankings, but I would probably prefer to live in Wilmington over Burlington VT. My greatest passion is surfing and the climate down there is amazing, but is UVM good enough to justify sacrificing all that for 4 years?</p>
<p>UNCW and UVM are roughly the same level academically speaking. UVT is a bit more geographically diverse (a lot more people come from OOS to ski) and the average student is a tiny bit better but not much. That’s it. Neither is “obviously better” than the other so go where you prefer.</p>
<p>Thanks for the advice and sorry it took so long to respond. I ended up talking with a college counselor and got more info on each school. I decided on UVM because of their overall strengths. I am however still considering a gap year so we’ll see what happens.</p>
<p>new update: i was accepted into rutgers new brunswick from the waitlist this week. i know it’s a better school for political science (and especially philosophy which i might minor in), but i’m not sure how much better. how does it generally compare to UVM and hawaii (the other 2 i’m still considering)</p>
<p>What are the costs for each?
I’d definitely pick between UVM and Rutgers.
For philosophy Rutgers is definitely tops.
UVM is smaller and Burlington is better than NB (imho).
Which is the better fit for you?</p>
<p>rutgers is much, much cheaper. i think i would like burlington more, but new brunswick is in a better geographical location for me. im pretty sure i’m going to end up picking rutgers</p>