<p>Hello,
Hello, I am in quite an unusual position as a result of my freshmen year, because it was terrible in the context of my high school career. Thus, it is occasionally difficult to choose appropriate reaches and even matches for that matter. I am sure that this communities insight can really help me out, thanks! My freshmen year GPA was absolutely horrid (2.5). However, it has risen immensely, with a 3.5 sophomore year and a 3.9-4.0 my junior year, with a number of APs (Between Junior and Senior year I'll have roughly 5 or 6 and I'm assuming I'll get 4s and 5s on the exams). Additionally, my senior year schedule is incredibly rigorous. Also, my SAT score is incredibly average, at an 1860. I have good EC's: I've started a religious diversity club, I am captain of my schools debate team and ranked as the top speaker in NJ, I am teaching debate to younger students, I am politically active, and I've written for a politically oriented online magazine. Furthermore, I am a black belt and work as an assistant, teaching martial arts. Additionally, I will have glowing recommendations from truly qualified teachers. Unfortunately, I am an out of state (for a lot of colleges) student (NJ) which I know can hinder my chances. I would love some insight regarding my chance of admission. Just some further info: I am willing to travel to any region in the US and while aid is important, I would like answers that don't take that into consideration because this is more an ideal scenario.
Thank you very much for helping me out! </p>
<p>I’m not going to give any suggestions that don’t include price because that is often the most important consideration. It is to your advantage to incorporate that element into your search. It is very disheartening to have discussions with kids who get hooked on ideal scenarios and want to take out 100k debt to fulfill that. Publics often don’t give any aid for oos. They usually don’t even meet need.</p>
<p>We need to know what your GPA is now, and we need to know what your family will pay per year.</p>
<p>We don’t like to deal in the ideal, because it’s a waste of time for everyone. If you cannot afford a school, there’s no point in talking about it. Period. Do the research: run the net price calculators at a few schools.</p>
<p>In addition, address the issues raised in the first post on this page (except where you already have): </p>
<p><a href=“Before you ask which colleges to apply to, please consider - College Search & Selection - College Confidential Forums”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/college-search-selection/1621234-before-you-ask-which-colleges-to-apply-to-please-consider-p1.html</a></p>
<p>You can go to school OOS, but you may not be able to afford an OOS public. Most won’t give their OOS applicants any FA.</p>
<p>@BrownParent @jkeil911 Thanks for responding, and I understand what you are saying. However, I currently have no conception of what schools would be considered reaches in my position because some schools evaluate freshmen year differently from others. I am interested in knowing what reaches are suitable irregardless of price because I have been contacting schools to demonstrate interest. This post was intended to function as a means of expanding the colleges I am willing to contact. An email is by no means binding and does not result in 100k of debt, it merely serves to enhance the college search process. </p>
<p>Do you want to stay close to home, or are you interested in colleges all over the country? Also, are you looking at smaller colleges? If your answers are “yes,” and finances aren’t an issue, look at Whitman and Willamette. Whitman has a strong debating program. Unfortunately, it is pretty labor-intensive for an easterner to attend, but I think it would be a high-match/low-reach for you for that reason. Occidental might be within reach, although it is also very expensive. They have some interesting opportunities if you are interested in politics, like their “campaign semester” or “UN semester.” Willamette is right across the street from the Oregon State House, and its students can get great internships. They are pretty generous with scholarships. </p>
<p>@woogzmama Thanks! That gives me a wide array of schools to contact! </p>