<p>Hey guys! I was wondering if anyone could suggest some good colleges for me. I am planning on applying to VANDY, WUSTL, and more than likely Liberty. Currently. I have a 28 on my ACT (2nd time) with my lowest being math (23), then a 28 on English and Science, and a 31 on Reading. I will be getting math tutoring though, so hopefully it goes up a lot! Anyways, I want a college where I will be challenged and surrounded by people who are very intellectual. I currently rank 11 out of 200 something in my class. I'm really considering going to Law school. I love politics, current events, music... I play piano in jazz band, flute in symphonic and marching, as well as piano at church. I cadet teach at my town's kindergarten and love it! I'm a member of NHS, Key Club, a fresh orientation program, and am going to Girls State this summer. I've essentially centered my life around school and success since I was young so I'm incredibly motivated and passionate. I want a school that I'd fit in with the other students... Which means people I can talk intellectual stuff with without them thinking I'm boring or a geek.</p>
<p>Your ACT scores are definitely low for Vandy and WUSTL. Now that does not automatically disqualify you, it will just make it harder to be admitted. You didn’t mention your GPA at school, which is likely more important. My son is at WUSTL (freshman) and loves it, didn’t get accepted to Vandy. In the end, it is all a crapshoot for any of the highly selective schools.</p>
<p>If you are a conservative enough Southern Baptist to be interested in Liberty, what about other Southern Baptist schools like Baylor? Other Southern Baptist colleges are listed here: <a href=“Colleges and Universities - SBC.net”>http://www.sbc.net/colleges/</a></p>
<p>PsychoDad, yes, I’m quite aware that my ACT scores are low. 
GPA is just over 3.8. Like I said, I’m going to be getting math tutoring for the math part. I was able to raise my science part five points just from doing an ACT blitz at my school so I know I can raise my math as long as I put my heart into it. 
And I will because I’ve wanted to go to WashU for as long as I can remember and am a firm believer in hard work leading to success. </p>
<p>ucbalumnus, I’m not actually Southern Baptist, but do like the environment that Liberty seems to have. I attend a a nondenominational church but my views fit in with theirs. I’ve considered Baylor, but I don’t think I want to live in Texas. Nothing against it, just not where I see myself living. </p>
<p>Consider Furman University.</p>
<p>Pennylane2011, I will definately look more into it! It looks like a good school. My parents won’t let me go too far from home unless it’s to a Christian college. But thanks for the advice! </p>
<p>Maybe, you could try the SAT. Some students do better on it (and the format is very learnable). I would look mat other private universities in the South (Duke- major reach, Tulane, Wake Forest, Davidson, W&L, Richmond, Rice if you can get past Texas, possibly Elon as a safety). Then, look at some Southern public universities. With public schools, stay in the South if you are a Conservative. I would tend to focus on flagships. Alabama, South Carolina, Georgia, and Florida have great reputations in the South, as do a few others. If you like Liberty, look at Belmont in Nashville.</p>
<p>SurvivorFan: I have looked into a lot of the ones you mentioned. I love Rice a lot actually! And I’ve wanted to go to Duke for a while too. I took SAT in 7th grade with Duke TIP and it was miserable…probably just because I was in seventh grade. But I will take your advice and consider taking it. Belmont seems like a good school and I feel like Id have a good shot at getting in, however, I’ve heard mixed reviews about fin aid.
Thanks! </p>
<p>You will need higher testing if you want Duke, Vandy, WUSTL, or Rice to be reasonably possible. Even then it is no guarantee (I was rejected ED at Duke with a 2310 SAT, which is equivalent to a 34-35 ACT). If you go back to look at Vandy, you could see Belmont for yourself since it is in Nashville. I also like Richmond a lot. You will only like W&L if you love Greek life (~90% of the students are Greek). The others should appeal to a wide range of students. Also, pros for Alabama and South Carolina are that they offer significant merit-based aid to out-of-state students.</p>
<p>Ok. Thanks for the merit-aid info. I didn’t know that and will look into it! And yes, Ive seen the ACT score ranges for a lot of the highly selective colleges and realize I’m far from qualified! Its a major bummer getting a 28 because a lot of people tell me good job when I tell them my score and that they’d be happy to have a 28 and I’m dissatisfied with it. Oh well… I guess it’s the price of wanting to go to a elite college. </p>
<p>I would look into public colleges, but I just like what private schools have to offer. A lot give out good fin aid and have smaller classes, and I feel like though a lot of them are good at sports, it’s not all about sports at their schools. I’m considering looking into some liberal arts schools that are a little less selective, in case I don’t get ACT at my goal score. </p>
<p>You could take a look at Davidson, which would be a low reach for you.</p>
<p>I’ve heard of that one too… I’ve been doing a ton of college research. Haha. This whole thing is just stressing me out now. I seriously sometimes just feel like giving up and going to a public school. Maybe there I’d stop stressing about school and enjoy being young like everyone else around me! </p>
<p>Public honors colleges do have a lot to offer. Last year, I thought that I wanted a small-to-medium school, but now, I want a medium-to-large sized one (with Honors College in the larger ones) mostly because I like the opportunities and sports of bigger schools. Davidson has a great community, and it was the one small school that I liked.</p>
<p>Off to watch college basketball now!!</p>
<p>Thanks to your post, SurvivorFan, I’ve looked into University of Alabama and think it’d be a great safety school for me, and if I can get ACT up four points, I’d get full tuition. If there is one thing that I do love about big public schools is their big marching bands and big football stadiums. I would love to be a part of that. And hey, Alabama is (usually) a heck of a lot warmer in the winter than where I live now. </p>
<p>One of these things is not like the others, One of these things just doesn’t belong, Can you tell which thing is not like the others. By the time I finish my song?</p>
<p>Don’t forget to check which colleges you might have automatic merit for. At least you will have some financial safeties. I take it you will qualify for need based aid but can pay your family contribution? For merit, look to a) colleges known to be generous with it b) you are in top 25% or better of admitted students AC/SAT and GPA.
<a href=“Automatic Full Tuition / Full Ride Scholarships - Financial Aid and Scholarships - College Confidential Forums”>Automatic Full Tuition / Full Ride Scholarships - Financial Aid and Scholarships - College Confidential Forums;
<p>When you do your research check the common data set and you will learn things like WUSTL considers test scores to be Very Important and mid range ACT is 32 to 34. That means 25% who submitted ACT scores had 35 or 36. Now 25% has less than 32 so you see the odds for you might be low and the admit rate is only 18% anyway. So if you want a reach then fine, but you need to find in-range colleges you like. How much can your family pay? If you indicate, then people may be able to help more. You’d better indicate what is close enough to home.’ WUSTL and Vandy aren’t near each other or Christian colleges so I’m stumped.</p>
<p>I’m in Midwest. </p>
<p>To all those commenting on my ACT being low: I realize that. I plan on taking it two more times before I apply. I would take it three but I can’t on one of the dates. I’ve taken it twice and raised it two points so I’m hoping and praying that I can raise it at least that or a little more both times to put me over thirty. I know my chances of getting in will still be slim but could you please recommend colleges as if I will achieve an average ACT for that school.
Thanks! </p>
<p>If Alabama is a possibility, also consider University of South Carolina. With higher ACT scores, you might qualify for their honors program. Not sure about how their merit aid works. Although USC and Furman are not specifically Christian colleges (Furman was founded as one), I think they would have Christian student groups where you would find a niche. That would be something for you and your parents to look into, so would Elon, Sewanee, Rhodes, Centre College.</p>
<p>I’m not a fan of Rhodes though I’m sure it’s a good school. The problem with U of SC is that it’s really far from home. UA is a little less than 6 hours for me, which is fine for my parents. </p>