<p>First off, here's my stat; international student/Asian,senior, spending jr and sr year in US high school, GPA last year was about 4.1W, this year may be 4.4W;few ECs, SAT 1800 (CR 480,M 650,W 660), will retake in Dec along with ACT.
My criteria: size of school doesnt matter but I prefer relatively big, in suburban or city area; in the east coast and IL,MI,OH,IN. strong business/finance department, tuition max is 35k; small amount of Asian cuz I dont feel at ease if white dominate (>80%) (sorry if it sounds like racism,if the school is good it's not a matter, just a consideration).
Here's my list:
Fordham and Villanova (already gone for EA)
IU Bloomington
Wake Forest (mostly cuz it doesnt require SAT)
Penn State
Boston U (or Northeastern ?)
AU in DC
Syracuse U
UIUC
Michigan State
Suffolk (safety)
*Others in my list that may substitute: Ohio State in Columbus, Babson, Elon, Loyola Maryland, Temple, SUNY Binghamton, U Maryland College Park, Purdue, Fairfield, Ithaca College, St.Joe.
*Also I will apply to some schools that dont have fee just for some more safeties :D.
*I may add 1-2 reaches at the last minute.
*Please comment on my list and suggest me some other schools.</p>
<p>i think you have pretty good chances at those schools...
your stats are very high... with the exception of your SAT scores. Your math/verbal are alright, but definitly try to bring up that CR.
btw, BU requires SAT IIs</p>
<p>oh, and where did you move from? Because if you moved here from a country in asia less than two years ago... your english is very impressive :) and GPA very high</p>
<p>Penn State's a really good choice for you, I think.
Also, when it comes between BU and Northeastern, I'd recommend Northeastern: BU is infamous for its unreasonably high tuition price, and considering you have a financial limit, if you will, I'd say Northeastern is the better choice.</p>
<p>thanks for replies
I will try to improve my SAT I (that's my shame :(), or I will try my best in ACT in Dec to back up.
I already took SAT II but forgot to mention. I got 680 in Chem and 610 in Math 2 (but I will get new Math 2 score for Oct Test, probably >650)
I will consider Northeastern and BU, but somehow I prefer to live in PA,IL,MI,NC or NY since I already had 2 years in Boston
Do I need to change anything in my college list ? each college has uniquie features that I don't know which to choose</p>
<p>Top choice would be Michigan State University, very good school. Followed by Penn State, and Boston University.</p>
<p>Does cost matter?</p>
<p>*coolbrezze, "top choice" u mean is the most likely I can get into or the best of those I listed ?
*well if the school is good and worth the money I pay, I will be willing to pay a little higher tuition. BU,Villanova,St.Joe and Northeastern probably have highest tuition, which I can still afford that's why I list them out. But I need to see if they are worth or not.</p>
<p>Northeastern is unique because they make you go out and get a job to gain experience during your junior - senior years. If you like having to work that early go for it, but I'd say for a more normal college environment go for BU.</p>
<p>lol honestly I wanna move to another state. 2 years in Boston is enough for me. I dont wanna spend 4 more years in Boston :( i wanna experience american life :D
anyway, if there's no better school than Northeastern accepting me, I will go for it. thanks for opinions</p>
<p>I mean, top choice as Michigan State University would be a better pick ( my opinion ) to attend.</p>
<p>k I got it. I will thoroughly think about all suggestions.
As I said all schools in my list are relatively the same, so should I apply to all 8 schools ?
right now I'm interested in Penn State, but there's 1 thing I don't like: it's too big: 37k undergrad, and it's public. I don't have any talents to stand out from other people and am pretty reserved so I may feel as if I am left alone :(</p>
<p>Your list is fine. But it keeps changing. Though that is normal for kids your age and at this stage. What happened to High Point University as a safety? I pinged you about that the other day. Its a stunningly gorgeous campus, very, very friendly faculty and student body with amazing facilities and the buildings are all new, bright, shiny, CLEAN, and well maintained. Good programs with a nationally recognized college President who is getting a lot of attention for the school.</p>
<p>k I got it. I will thoroughly think about all suggestions.
As I said all schools in my list are relatively the same, so should I apply to all 8 schools ?
right now I'm interested in Penn State, but there's 1 thing I don't like: it's too big: 37k undergrad, and it's public. I don't have any talents to stand out from other people and am pretty reserved so I may feel as if I am left alone "</p>
<p>You would love Penn State. Have you visited? If not, you should. The campus is gorgeous and there are limitless ways to get involved. It's the best of everything. It has great academics, great sports, and one of the best college social scenes in the country. As for comparing to Michigan State, Penn State is a much better school. I doubt anyone outside of a Michigan State alum would really believe Michigan State is a better choice. I am not trying to tear down MSU, as it is a fine school, but that's just the truth. The rankings all support PSU as the better choice academically.</p>
<p>well the reason I don't choose High Point is if it's for safety, I'm not willing to pay 31k tuition (according to collegeboard). furthermore if everyone says I have chance at penn state, I will just need a cheap safety (like suffolk), and because it's for safety, staying in Boston for 4 more years is fine with me. thanks for your advice. But I do still have WFU or Elon as schools in NC :D
aye so penn state seems fine to me. I don't know why but I wanna stay in PA for college :D</p>
<p>what's up with you and High Point??</p>
<p>Two things: High Point has 31k for an all inclusive price.....that is room/board/gym/sports facilities/tuition all in...the ONLY thing you pay for out of pocket is books. They went to this one price plan two years ago. It makes sense. They have financial aid and scholarships as well.</p>
<p>To answer Pierre: I have a middle D who is looking in NC. They had an open house recently and we went to it. It stunned us with their new buildings and programs and warmth and excitement. Its now on her list. I like to bring schools to people's attention that is off the usual beaten path of the big name schools like Wake, Duke, UNC in North Carolina. It helps them to open new doors and consider other options. And some people need a safety or another match school in the mix. And usually THOSE schools are really the best fit. What anyone picks is a personal choice. I get that. Its a subjective decision. We had that with my oldest D three years ago, and broke some hearts of her high school classmates who begged her to go to college with them. But she chose to go up north and try something totally different and its worked out marvelously. I simply like to toot the horn of schools who are really trying hard to be wonderful places to attend college. High Point, by the way, was featured on the Today show a few months ago as one of the most student friendly campuses, vis a vis, services for students. And they are not lying. It was simply stunning. And the furniture ain't bad either! Top flight SOFT leather couches everywhere. Well maintained.</p>
<p>dracula has Elon on his/her list. That is about 30 miles from High Point. Elon is also a fabulous school. Equally a beautiful campus...with a lake in the middle, white swans etc. Not kidding. Elon is a tad more selective. Both schools are really working very hard to become top drawer schools and move up the rankings. Elon has a 40% admit rate...so its becoming very selective.</p>
<p>Good luck to you, wherever you go.</p>
<p>dracula: your list is fine and I think well balanced. Dont apologize...not necessary. I think you have done a good job of looking at many schools and in the end everyone has to compare and make the final list. I was simply wondering since it was on your list previously. Where you go is not about ME or convincing you to go to my favorite school, its about what school is best for YOU. I would be doing you a grave disservice to try and persuade you to go where I want my kids to go or what I like....this is about YOU. I simply wanted you to be aware of whats out there, to put some meat on the bone so to speak and give you some flavor and assessment. Come next April, you have to decide. My oldest is at Fordham and LOVES it. She is THRIVING in the Bronx. And we live in NC. LOL. You have several Jesuit schools on your list and that is VERY smart! Jesuit schools are indeed very special. I am sure you will do just fine. Let me know where you get in and what you decide. I wish you the best of luck.</p>
<p>oh yeah High Point costs 31k for everything except books, so I will think about it for safety.
If the list is balanced, I will not make any change. After Jan 1 I will look specifically into each college to see which is the best for me so that when I know where I am accepted, I may make a reasonable decision.
thanks for your insights.</p>