What college can I get into

Chance Me / Match Me!
1

<p>Alright, I'll be a senior next year.</p>

<p>GPA: 3.25-3.30
ACT: 28-30
SAT: 1900-2100</p>

<p>(I got to a decently sized public high school; my GPA is horribly low because I'm horribly lazy...)</p>

<p>I took three AP classes this year (junior year), none as a sophomore, and I won't take any next year as a senior because I'm going to take 2 college courses: Calculus AB/BC and something else.</p>

<p>I'm a white male.</p>

<p>So what type of schools am I looking at?</p>

<p>Top 100? Top 50?</p>

<p>For liberal arts colleges in the top 100 (for liberal arts colleges), how much merit aid would I probably earn?</p>

<p>Thanks for the help.</p>

2

<p>It's hard to really help you with your chances unless you have some solid choices for schools. Try looking at some of the top 100 schools and their programs and see if you like them .Then I'm sure you could get some advice on whether you have a decent shot. There are various liberal arts schools that have excellent programs; it all depends on what you want to do.</p>

3

<p>Alright.</p>

<p>Hendrix. Westminster. Tulane. </p>

<p>Those are my current top 3.</p>

4

<p>I would think you would have excellent chances at Hendrix and Westminster if your SAT/ACT scores are decent. Tulane is probably a slight reach but I'm not really sure on that one. Best of luck!</p>

5

<p>Well I already made a 28 on the ACT and a 192 on the PSAT, so the ranges I gave I'm pretty much already in (and I plan on prepping -- I've never prepped before -- for when I take them both one or two times as a senior).</p>

<p>..So my score ranges I gave in my original post were very conservative estimates of what they'll be after I take them next year.</p>

<p>But, to the point, how big of a reach do you think Tulane will be? </p>

<p>Like a 20% chance, 2% chance, what exactly?</p>

<p>Thanks.</p>

<p>EDIT: I just reread your post and saw that you said you weren't quite sure on Tulane, but does anyone else know?</p>

6

<p>PJGR, sorry about that. I thought they were estimates. In at Hendrix and Westminster. Also, since your scores are actual, I wouldn't be surprised if you got into Tulane. Best of luck again!</p>

7

<p>Really? I thought my GPA would bring down a bunch, but if you're saying Tulane isn't unlikely, then I'm happy</p>

<p>Thanks</p>

8

<p>I'd say definetley in the top 100 schools.
besides your GPA your stats are reasonably strong.</p>

<p>tulane is a likely fit.</p>

9

<p>First, you're going about things the wrong way. The question you should be asking at this point is: What am I looking for in a college? Where can I be successful and happy? THEN worry about building your college list from schools which match what you're looking for.</p>

<p>Building a good college list is a lot like building a house - you need a foundation, a structure, and a roof. The foundation are those safe bet schools, the structure are those matches, and then you can add some reaches.</p>

<p>Since you mentioned Hendrix, let's assume for a moment that you're thinking that a smallish liberal arts college with a kind of laid back liberal attitude might be a good match for you. If so, these schools would be realistic matches/structures: Earlham, Beloit, Lawrence, Ohio Wesleyan, College of Wooster, CLark U, Eckerd (FL), Goucher. Some other good possibilities, although a little different in feel than Hendrix: Southwestern (TX), Trinity U (TX), Sewannee (TN), Rhodes, Hobart & William Smith, Willamette, U of Redlands, Dennison, Wheaton (MA), Franklin & Marshall, Drew U, Lake Forest.</p>

<p>But, all of these are pretty much going to be matches, not safeties, and some are a little reachy for matches. You might get some merit money from one or two of the above schools, but for the big $$ in merit, you'll need to focus on some safer bets. Is your 3.2 GPA a weighted GPA (i.e., extra points for honors and AP courses?) -- if so, that means you probably have a fair share of C's on your transcript, so finding good safe bets will be harder. Some to consider: Hiram, Albright, Wittenberg, Randolph-Macon, Linfield.</p>

<p>If you think you'd prefer somewhat larger U's like Tulane, consider these as either matches or safe bets: DePaul, Loyola of New Orleans, Creighton, Syracuse, Fordham, Loyola Marymount, University of San Diego, Northeastern, American.</p>

<p>As for Tulane, it's going to be a stretch. 60% of successful applicants there are in the top 10% of their class. It's highly unlikely you'll get merit there if you do get in. However, since every good college list needs some matches, if it fits what you are looking for and want in a college experience, take a shot. You might consider applying EA for your best chances. Other reaches that might be worth a shot if you're bringing something special to the table that might overcome your grades: U of Miami, George Washington, Boston U. </p>

<p>I would not, however, give you odds at schools that are more competitive than that.</p>

10

<p>By the way, be sure to check on whether any of the colleges you are considering require or ask for subject tests. If so, you may not have as many chances to take the SAT in senior year as you think you do. I would also suggest giving the ACT a try. But, ultimately, your grades and the curriculum choices you've made in high school are going to be the first thing that matters to an admissions committee. Good luck!</p>

11

<p>Alright, thanks a lot guys.</p>

<p>..And I don't think I will bring anything special to overcome my lackluster grades. Unless...maybe an amazingly good essay? Would that do the trick?</p>

<p>I will average recs, I'm sure, so I'm out of ideas.</p>

12

<p>PJGR, everyone has something unique to offer. Think a bit more about what is unique about you, what you bring to the table, and then focus on finding colleges that you like that are likely to need what you have to offer. </p>

<p>But, do also consider what type of environment might be best for you to be happy and succeed. If you've been "horribly lazy" in high school, make sure that whichever colleges you apply to will have whatever you need to be less lazy and more motivated. Worry less about the ranking, and more about where you are most likely to catch fire and succeed academically. Sometimes late bloomers are better off aiming at colleges where they'll be towards the middle or top of the class, rather than just scratching in to a "top" college. So, think about both sides of the coin as you look at options, and Good luck!</p>

13

<p>I see what you're saying, but wouldn't being near the top of the class at a decent school be equivalently good as being near the middle of the class at a, as you said, 'top' school?</p>

<p>If this is so, then I think going to the 'top' school is a better choice because there's the possibility of being in the top of the class there, which would be better than the top of the class at a worse school...</p>

14

<p>Simply based on stats, I would say Ohio Wesleyan would be a reach for him not a match. His academic statistics are in the neighborhood of OWU's average from two years ago. However, keep in mind that this average is pulled down by admission considerations such as being a minority, being an athlete, being from out of state, having some other talent...nothing about the OP's original post suggests that he is in any of these groups, so his stats will be on the lower end of the distribution for his demographic if he applies to Ohio Wesleyan.</p>

15

<p>Hi Peter, I had a student accepted to OWU with very similar stats this year. He was from out of state, but not in the other categories you mention. Of course, we don't have the full picture of the poster's application - we're all just shooting in the dark. Still, I would venture to say that OWU and the other schools I mentioned would still be more likely to be realistic for him than Tulane or other extremely competitive schools. </p>

<p>To the original poster: I can tell by your reply that you haven't yet taken the time to look at the schools I suggested. There are many fine schools in the suggestions (including OWU). Rather than worry about "top 50" or "top
100" as a measure, start by thinking about what you need and want out of your college experience, and then look for choices that match you best. Best of luck!</p>