<p>Hello everyone! I just finished my junior year and received a 28 on my ACT. My weighted GPA is a 4.1 and my unweighted GPA is a 3.9. I've taken several honors and two AP classes while also being a member of NHS and SNHS. With all of this on my transcript, I just wanted your opinions on what schools I should consider looking at in California. I'm looking for schools that would not be considered a long shot for me; moreover, I would like to know some good schools that I would have a good chance at getting into. There are so many great choices in California, I just don't know where to start. Any help? Thanks!</p>
<p>You are missing a crucial piece of info. That is your major. Different majors have different admission requirements. </p>
<p>Oh sorry, I completely forgot to mention it! I plan on a business major, something along the lines of Accounting/Actuary </p>
<p>What is your financial criteria?? How much are you and your family willing to pay?? Public, Private, Small, Large, Urban or more Rural?? UC’s/Cal States? Stanford?? Give us an idea some preferences.</p>
<p>I really like the idea of University of California schools. I’ve taken a look at UCLA, Irvine, Tulane, etc. I want to go to a big school, preferably in an urban area. My parents have agreed to help me pay for school, but I am definitely going to apply for financial aid. </p>
<p>Another crucial missing piece of information: Are you IN state or out-of-state for California public universities?</p>
<p>I am out-of-state from a small farm town near Chicago. </p>
<p>Just so you are aware, the price tag of OOS students for the UC’s is approximately $55K per year. Also the UC’s give little financial aid to OOS students, so you and your parents will have to foot the majority of that amount. If you are still able to afford those schools, UCM/UCR/UCSC would be Matches. UCD/UCI/UCSB would be High Match/low reaches and UCSD/UCB/UCLA would be low reaches. You would have better luck with some of the LAC’s which would give you more merit aid such as Occidental, LLMU, USC, USD (Univ of San Diego). You really should start with schools in your home state which would be the most financially reasonable. You need to use the Net price calculators for each school and figure out your EFC. Also for the UC’s you need to calculate your CSU/UC GPA to get a better idea of your chances see link: <a href=“Cal State Apply | CSU”>Cal State Apply | CSU;
Good Luck</p>
<p>As Gumbymom points out, California public universities (which receive support from the taxpayers of California and therefore are more expensive for out of staters) will be expensive for you.</p>
<p>You mention that you will apply for financial aid. Financial aid will NOT apply to your out of state supplement of $22,878/ year <a href=“http://admission.universityofcalifornia.edu/paying-for-uc/tuition-and-cost/index.html”>http://admission.universityofcalifornia.edu/paying-for-uc/tuition-and-cost/index.html</a> . Do the FAFSA forecaster <a href=“https://fafsa.ed.gov/FAFSA/app/f4cForm?execution=e1s1”>https://fafsa.ed.gov/FAFSA/app/f4cForm?execution=e1s1</a> to find your estimated FAFSA EFC. ADD $22,878 to your estimated FAFSA EFC - that total will be the absolute minimum you will pay per year at a UC.</p>
<p>Gumbymom provides excellent advice that it would be more sensible to look at California privates rather than publics. Be aware that when considering need-based aid the privates will require the CSS/Profile in addition to the FAFSA and will consider assets the FAFSA does not, including home equity.</p>
<p>As always, your in-state public flagship should be on your application list as it is more likely to be financially accessible to your family.</p>
<p>Good luck.</p>
<p>Thanks everyone! This is exactly what I needed! One more concern with applying for these private schools is whether or not I would even have a chance at getting accepted. Do you think I would have a chance at schools like Occidental, USD, USC, Etc? </p>
<p>Oh sorry Gumbymom, did not see the link for the calculator! </p>
<p>A tiny note about Tulane: it is located in New Orleans (though you may have just included it as a school you are considering rather than as one located in California). <a href=“http://tulane.edu/”>http://tulane.edu/</a> You might want to check on the Tulane forum <a href=“Tulane University - College Confidential Forums”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/tulane-university/</a> for more info - all I know is that it is a private university in New Orleans, LA.</p>
<p>UC’s you’d have a chance at- Irvine, Santa Barbara, Santa Cruz</p>
<p>low reaches- San Diego, Davis</p>
<p>higher reaches- UCLA, Berkeley</p>
<p>I’d also check out Cal Poly (although business major is super impacted). USD would be a good option for you but public vs. private is definitely a big thing to consider. </p>
<p>USC you’d have a shot at but definitely not a shoe-in. The business major is ridiculously competitive. </p>
<p>Dont forget that the California Privates start with a bigger price tag, so financial aid is not a shoe-in either.</p>