What are some colleges that I would fit in at/college suggestions? (California)

College Search & Selection
1

Hi everyone! I’m currently a junior and I’m looking for some suggestions on what colleges I should apply to (preferably in California). For some background, I love the big city vibe but also wouldn’t mind being near a beach. Name/status of the school doesn’t matter much to me, I’d just be really happy to get some advice on where you think I’d fit in based on my grades/interests :slight_smile:

GPA (not including second semester junior year): UW: 3.9, W: 4.1
SAT: I’m taking it for the first time in May but my PSAT is around 1260
EC: 2 years JV Volleyball, 1 year Varsity Volleyball, 1 year of club volleyball, Board Member for Interact (sophomore year), Treasurer for Interact (junior year), now upcoming President, I dance with the Polynesian group at my school, and starting a business club, so hopefully that gets approved!
Awards: Just some awards for volleyball and small school awards.
Other: I’m hispanic and a first generation student.

I’m still debating on what I want to major in, but I’m really considering Economics, Business, or Communications! I’d also really like to go to a school where extracurricular are big because I like being involved in clubs. And possibly even a good food scene! I’m a foodie and run a food blog LOL.

It would be super helpful to get some suggestions on colleges I should look into with these majors and the locations I like! Out of state is okay too but preferably in-state because of cost. Thanks again! :slight_smile:

2

Well, you should know about the 9 UC’s with undergrad programs and the 23 CSU’s… you should go through each one and decide whether to apply… based on your stated interests, I think you should consider all of the UCs except maybe Merced.

For the CSUs, look at: CSU Sonoma (wine country!), SFSU, SJSU, CSULB, SDSU.

For a small liberals arts college, consider Occidental College, Pomona College, Pitzer College

For a big, private university: USC

3

If you are a California resident, there are lots of UCs and CSUs to consider.

Economics: widely available at UCs and CSUs; some UCs have a more mathematical emphasis that may be helpful if you want to go on to PhD study in economics
Business: UCB, UCI, UCR, and widely available at CSUs
Communications: UCD, UCLA, UCSB, UCSD, and widely available at CSUs; UCB has a media studies major

4

UC admit rates by HS GPA (UC weighted and capped calculation) for 2017: http://talk.qa.collegeconfidential.com/discussion/comment/21182988/#Comment_21182988

5

Great list above. I’d add USD and LMU are So Cal privates that are worth considering.

6

Be sure to run the net price calculator found on each college’s financial aid web pages. Different colleges may offer very different net prices for your family’s financial situation.

Among private schools, the best financial aid is often found at the most selective ones like Stanford.