What colleges should I look at?

College Search & Selection
1

Hi guys, so I’m new to this whole College Confidential-membership type thing. Although, I have used the website to find information on colleges before. I was just wondering if you guys could tell me on what colleges I should look at? I am currently a junior in high school.

My GPA is a 3.77-3.8/4.0(currently) , weighted I think it’s like a 4.5/5.0 or so. SAT score of 1980 (crying) (700,640,640 MRW, I could probably bring it up but it’s soooo difficult. I hired a one on one tutor though).
SAT 2: Japanese - 800
Chinese - 800
Physics - 700
I also want to take ACT’s for fun next year, just to see how I do.

I’ve taken all Honors and AP Classes ( I will graduate with about 8 AP Classes) I’ve gotten a 93-100% in all of the AP Classes (except Physics) and 95%+ in all but 3 honors classes throughout high school.
-AP Calc BC
-AP Physics --> Did not do so hot like a low B but, it’s AP Physics so …
-AP US history
-AP Gov’t
-AP Bio

-AP Stats
-AP Lit and Comp.
-AP Psychology

I’m also taking Calculus 3 and Differential Equations senior year!

Otherwise, I’ve only gotten 3 B’s.
Sports: Gymnastics, Dance (ballet and hip hop), I’m becoming a certified Zumba instructor and usually do Zumba/Pilates classes 5x a week, swimming, and cross country.

Instruments: Cello, Violin, Piano (all for about 2-3 years)

I’m involved in key club, I was president of Japanese Culture club for a year, I’m fluent in 3 languages (Japanese, Chinese, and English) >Yes I could converse if given an interview< I also do charity around my community during my free time such as tutoring children who are struggling academically.

I’ve had work experience for all 4 years of high school, at the same job.

I hope to major in Astronomy/Astrophysics/Geosciences. Still figuring it out but, I will probably apply to college undecided.

I’m not really obsessed and or looking to get into an IVY league school, although it’d be nice. I’m just wondering if you guys could recommend any universities that I should look at/consider? Also, yes, I am going to take the SAT again to ideally bump it into the 2200’s if my test anxiety allows.

Thanks! Let me know if I forgot any needed information?

2

You will get into an excellent college, so please do not obsess about exactly which one. Your test scores are solid. I suggest taking the ACT this spring, and re-taking the SAT, but do not hitch your college plans to chimerical scores. If your results improve markedly, you will be competitive almost anywhere, but be mindful of the basic facts regarding SAT score changes. The majority (55%) of students who re-take the test increase their scores, but less than half of those score increases are more than 50 points (over three tests). That means that it is likelier that your scores could decline than it is that they could rise by 100 points or more. You will undoubtedly read reports here from students who increased their scores by hundreds of points; they are exceptions. I give these sobering statistics just so that you create a list of schools based on who and what you are at the end of your junior year. You sound exceptionally accomplished and versatile. I am not one of those who exhort students to dedicate their lives to test-prep. That works in some cases, but it can also create unrealistic expectations. Your scores are competitive for all but a handful of colleges. Your GPA, curricular rigor, and extracurricular activities are good enough for any college, anywhere. I suggest that you think about where you’d like to college, whether you’d prefer a large university or a small liberal arts college, and then build a list from the bottom up. Are finances a major consideration? If not, you are very fortunate, and have more options than students who need assistance. If your test scores rise significantly, then you can always add more “reach” schools (the top colleges are reaches for everyone), and drop a safety school.

3

Finances aren’t a problem at all for me, I just want to go somewhere where I’m happy. I just have no clue where to look! Haha. Yeah, the SAT score conundrum of trying to raise your scores an X amount of points is annoying … But, when I took it I only studied for maybe 2 hours, so, I’m hoping if I actually study I could improve at least somewhat haha. Thank you for your insight!

4

Do you have a Fiske Guide, or INsider’s Guide to the colleges, or Princeton Review’s Best Colleges?
If not, you can use any copy 2008-2015, and put a post it on any page describing a college you like. Then post back here on this thread, or start a new one, with all the colleges you like, grouping them by category (Liked it for its city… for its science program… for its campus…) and we’ll suggest some!

5

You need to give us some help if you want suggestions. There are simply too many to start throwing names out at random without any parameters. As MYOS1634 suggests, do some reading. Try to figure out what kind of learning environment suits you best. If the answer is, ‘I’m easy to please and would be happy anywhere,’ than your State U is probably the starting point. Go tour the campus and see what you think.

6

If you are interested in LACs, Carleton for a reach, Dickinson for a match come to mind.

7
  1. Agree with the idea of getting a good college guide book (ex. Fiske, Insiders Guide, Princeton Review) and start reading up on schools. 2) If your HS has Naviance see where your stats fit in there 3) Talk to your parents about any restrictions they have – although price isn’t an issue something like geographic location etc. might be 4) Think about what is important to you in a school – what type of atmosphere do you like, are small classes important to you, do you want Greek Life, is having big time sports important, is there any major you want etc. and look for schools that fit your needs 5) Try to visit some different types of schools in terms of size, location, urban/suburban/rural etc.to see where you feel most comfortable.

With your stats you should have many excellent choices.

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I really don’t have many parameters… Distance and finances don’t really matter. I’d prefer city schools, but it’s not necessary. I definitely don’t want to be close to where I am now though, which is Pennsylvania. So, state schools are kind of a no.