What kind of college/university should I be aiming for?

<p>I know this question is extremely vague, but I'm having a lot of trouble.</p>

<p>I guess I'll start off with giving you a summary of my high school record.
-I am a junior.
-I am ranked number 9 (out of 119) in my class, so I am in the top 10%. I was 11 last year.
-My GPA is usually around the mid 90s, but it was a 97.994 (or 98) in the most recent one. This is on a 100 point scale. I don't trust the 4 point scale because it's different everywhere I turn. (If anyone knows a consistent method of converting from 100 to 4.0, feel free to enlighten me!)
- I haven't taken my SAT yet. I took my PSAT and did decent... I got a 173 (or 173 in SAT scoring terms.) I wasn't very happy with that. I got 67 on reading, 64 on writing, and... dun dun dun... 42 on math. (Add 0s to the end to see what my potential SAT scores were.) I JUST took a full-length online SAT practice test and got a 1790: 580 on Reading (uh-oh), 720 on Writing, and 500 on Math (better, but still... uh-oh.) I'm taking the real one next Saturday, and I'm hoping to improve.. I'll update with my scores if this thread still exists by the time I get them.
-I am in the National Honor Society and the Italian Honor Society.
-I have done around 10 hours of community service this year (my junior year).
-Clubs/Activities: Debate team, Model Congress, Theatre Arts Club.
-I tutor two kids, one 1st grader and one 4th grader. I may be taking up an 11th grader soon.
-I would most likely pursue a double major in English (Secondary Education) and Theatre. (In cases where Education and English would count as two separate majors, I would minor in Theatre)
-If there's anything else you feel you need to know to answer this question, ask me!</p>

<p>Anyway, based on my high school record thus far, what types of colleges/universities do you think I would thrive in?
Everyone in my family believes Rutgers University is my best fit. I like the school, and I like that it's close to home, but I feel like I could do a lot better. However, I feel like Ivy Leagues(and non-Ivies with similar standards) are out of my reach. I need some opinions on this!
-Can I do better than Rutgers?
-Are Ivies/similar schools out of my reach?
--If "yes" is the answer to both of those, then what are some good schools between the standards of the two?
-Can anyone think of any schools I would fit well in? If so, what?
(I would prefer schools close to where I live. I live on the outskirts of NYC. Around the area of Cornell University (Ithaca) is about as far as I'm willing to go, but even that is a bit too far for my liking. (I'm just basing this off of the location of Cornell. I'm not saying I think it's a good or bad school for me. It's about 4 hours from where I am currently located.))</p>

<p>I'm sorry if this is confusing. The whole situation is confusing in itself.
Thanks in advance to anyone who attempts to help me!</p>

<p>Let’s start with what your family can afford. If you’re in NJ, Rutgers will be far less than a rivate college.</p>

<p>The ivies are out of reach, you’re just top 10% and your sores are more than 400 points belw average for these schools. The privates you could get into would be on a similar level to Rutgers in general.</p>

<p>You may want to try the ACT to see if you can get a score that may open up more possibilities. You also may want to check out the list of SAT optional schools at fairtest.org.</p>

<p>Ivies and elites at this point, are out of your reach.</p>

<p>How much will your parents pay each year? That will likely determine where you should apply.</p>

<p>What’s your budget?
Can your family afford a private school ($50K-$60K/year in your area)?
If not, are you likely to qualify for need-based aid?
(Use an online “Estimated Family Contribution” calculator).</p>

<p>If private schools are affordable, and if you’re o.k. with a small college, then check out some of the small liberal arts colleges in your region. Examples: Muhlenberg, Juniata, Ithaca, Goucher.</p>

<p>My family has no specific price limit. Not because we can afford any school. Quite the opposite, actually. Based on our income and some financial aid calculators I’ve done, we could definitely receive a LOT of financial aid. (I’ve also heard that the more expensive schools tend to give out more in aid, but I’m not sure if this is a fact or not. If someone could confirm or deny this, that would be great.)</p>

<p>Also, I said I was in the “top 10%” as an approximation, like “top half”, “top quarter”, etc. If you want an exact amount, I am in the top 7.6%. I doubt that changes much, because my test scores are still grotesque. </p>

<p>I did the PLAN test, or the practice ACT, and I got a horrible score there as well. (21 in total, I believe?) I got above average on the two English related portions and below average on the math and science. As you can see, I’m horrible at standardized tests, but the SAT is a much better fit.</p>

<p>I’m looking for the highest quality school that will have me. This is mainly because I want to be surrounded by intelligent people and people who are excited about going to college, not people who went because they felt they were obligated to or were forced to do so by their parents. I know I’ll run into my fair share of idiots anywhere I go, but I’m looking to keep that number as low as possible.</p>

<p>Not many schools meet financial need, and those that do are top schools, most of which require top scores. I would again advise you to look at the SAT optional schools that meet need.</p>

<p>The schools that are generous with need based finanacial aid are very much out of reach due to your test scores.</p>

<p>:( Alright… This is disheartening. I guess I’m stuck at Rutgers.</p>

<p>Can anyone think of any schools I would fit well in that are perhaps smaller than Rutgers and attract a primarily intellectual student body?</p>

<p>Rutgers is a high priced school for a state school and does not give much aid. I encourage you to apply, but to also apply to private schools as well.</p>

<p>You are fortunate to live in a region with many schools.</p>

<p>Are there any in commuting distance you would be willing to commute to?</p>

<p>Juniatta, which was mentioned earlier, is test optional. Check to be sure their merit scholarships do not require SAT.</p>

<p>I know a girl at Hofestra who earned a nice merit scholarship with a 1600 out of 2400 SAT, but Hofestra does not meet need and even after a merit scholarship there may be a GAP.</p>

<p>Arcadia University outside of Philly is a very strong school for education. They have Theater. Your stats are slightly above their range. They offer quite a bit of merit, but the highest merit is full tuition which does not cover room and board.</p>

<p>Run the Net Price Calculator at every school you are interested. The NPC are new and the jury is still out on the accuracy of some, but it will at least provide a guide on schools that are far out of reach. </p>

<p>Look on the SAT area of the forum for the Xiggi SAT study method. Raising the SAT score will help you in the search for merit.</p>

<p>If your EFC is near zero, look at the Questbridge Program.</p>

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<p>That was great advice. I’m looking right now, and I’m finding a bunch of schools that appeal to me. Trinity looks promising. It looks like it accepts people just around, if not a bit lower, than my test score range (excluding for my horrid math scores), which is my main concern when it comes to acceptance.</p>

<p>You’re right. Rutgers does not give a lot of aid. My sister’s boyfriend, who comes from a family a lot less wealthy than my own, is still struggling to get by. I don’t see why I would be any different. </p>

<p>I’ll continue looking. In the meantime, if anyone else has any advice/school suggestions, feel free to reply!</p>

<p>“I JUST took a full-length online SAT practice test and got a 1790: 580 on Reading (uh-oh), 720 on Writing, and 500 on Math (better, but still… uh-oh.) I’m taking the real one next Saturday”</p>

<p>Why so little practice? Many students spend time daily, over weeks, practicing so their scores will be high enough to get them into top schools and win them the scholarships they need. You obviously have the academic talent to do well on these tests, so why short-change yourself by not putting in the prep work? It would be a different matter if you’d practiced hard but still couldn’t get your score up - but to expect good results with so little effort is unrealistic.</p>

<p>You can’t limit yourself to schools close to home if you want good aid. I think Trinity is a stretch with a score under 1950.</p>

<p>I’d look at Bowdoin, Colby and Bates. They are SAT optional, strong schools with great need based aid.</p>

<p>If you want to be a secondary school teacher, check the teaching credential requirements in the place you want to teach. Then you can see whether some colleges will be better at helping you fulfill those requirements.</p>

<p>Bowdoin, Colby, Bates will be looking at near-ivy kids with great SATs and more involved SATs plus they are too far away. Muhlenberg sounds perfect for the OP, I think they are big on theatre.</p>

<p>You aren’t “stuck at Rutgers” unless you want to be. You need to do serious research, but then you should be able to find something right for you.</p>

<p>The OP as a strong GPA, and Bowdoin, Colby and Bates are SAT optional. And trust me, Bowdoin is the only oe of the three that gets anything close to the ivy qualified.</p>

<p>Distance from home is something the OP eeds to work out.mher options will be few if she isn’t willing to leave her backyard.</p>

<p>if you like warm weather, they maybe out of your zone but eckerd college and rollins college…should be on your radar screen and muhlenberg is probably the best close to you! at muhlenberg you will be on a nice campus, happy students and 92-93% of freshman return the next year (ie people are happy) rutgers is a great school, but it is not going to make you feel like you are part of a family, were proffesors know your name and want you to be sucessful!</p>

<p>The SUNY schools have relatively low OOS tuition, so won’t cost much more than Rutgers, but may still be unaffordable, and probably won’t offer any financial aid to an OOS student, regardless of need.</p>

<p>Don’t consider Rutgers to be a safety, until you actually know your SAT scores, and can see where they fit. And don’t underestimate how strong of a school it is. If you prefer a smaller school, look at the other instate public options, such as Ramapo and Rowan.</p>