College choices

[awf170]

9th grade gpa: 3.8
10th grade gpa: 3.7
11th grade gpa: 4.1

SAT:
570 english
630 math
(yes, I know those scores aren't good compared to my gpa but that is what happens when you go to Lynn public schools)

Not sure about major. I like math and science. I'm thinking about environmental. But i kind of hate hippies...

Reach schools:
Dartmouth
Middlebury

Middle schools (or whatever they are called):
UVM
St. Mikes

Back-up:
U-mass Lowell

Opinions on this?

 

[ALLSKIING]

9th grade gpa: 3.8
10th grade gpa: 3.7
11th grade gpa: 4.1

SAT:
570 english
630 math
(yes, I know those scores aren't good compared to my gpa but that is what happens when you go to Lynn public schools)

Not sure about major. I like math and science. I'm thinking about environmental. But i kind of hate hippies...

Reach schools:
Dartmouth
Middlebury

Middle schools (or whatever they are called):
UVM
St. Mikes

Back-up:
U-mass Lowell

Opinions on this?

UVM and St. Mikes are very good schools..... I would be proud to go to one of those.

 

[riverc0il]

i would reorganize your list not based on tiers but rather on your preference for which you think you will like the best. have you visited any of the campuses? that should really help narrow down the choices. if you visit them all and end up liking UVM or St. Mikes better than darmouth or middlebury, don't go with the higher tier college just because it is a "reach."

all of those colleges are good. unless you are planning on going into a specialized field or grad school, it really doesn't matter from a job perspective which college you go to. most employers really are not concerned with where you went so much as long as you went to a four year college and graduated (obvious exceptions for specialized fields and grad school requirements). i think it is more important to focus on which school you will enjoy the most. if you enjoy the college, you are more likely to be successful and that is ultimately what really matters. which is why most colleges put just as much stress on the experiences the colleges offer just as much as on academics. i would go so far as to say that unless you have a specialized field of study, degree requirements, or grad school requirements, that academics should almost be secondary compared to how well you fit the college and how well the college fits you from an overall perspective.

 

[John84]

9th grade gpa: 3.8
10th grade gpa: 3.7
11th grade gpa: 4.1

SAT:
570 english
630 math
(yes, I know those scores aren't good compared to my gpa but that is what happens when you go to Lynn public schools)

Not sure about major. I like math and science. I'm thinking about environmental. But i kind of hate hippies...

Reach schools:
Dartmouth
Middlebury

Middle schools (or whatever they are called):
UVM
St. Mikes

Back-up:
U-mass Lowell

Opinions on this?

What kind of classes did you take? How many honors, AP, etc? I'm assuming that's a weighted gpa because you have over a 4.0 for your junior year. How does your school weight? Do you know your class rank? What kind of extra curriculars do you have? Why didn't you take the new SAT with the writing section?

Edit: Just re-read this and it sounds kind of condescending. Not trying to sound like that at all.

 

[Marc]

Well.... the world needs ditch diggers, too.

 

[teachski]

Couple things.
1. You didn't say if that GPA was on a 4 point scale or a 5 point scale.
2. It depends on what you want to major in, you can go to a school that looks great on paper but only has a mediocre program in what you plan to major in. Look at the school based on what you want to major in and then decide, don't just go for a name. I went to a State College, but that State College, at the time, was recognized as having one of the finest programs in my major in the country. I could have gone to a number of different schools, some with high tuition prices and a name, but I chose my school based on the program and what I would have when I got out. I have not regretted it! I had no problem getting a job, in fact, I started to work in my field the week after I got out of school.
3. I'd go to an SAT prep course and then take the SAT's again, see if you can improve upon those scores.
4. Senior year is also looked at, so don't "sit back and glide" for your senior year...I've seen a number of kids do this.

Note: The level of classes you take is now figured into the GPA in high school.

 

[catskills]

I hear Colorado has some nice 2 year community colleges. :wink:

Seriously a less expensive 2 year college is good way to save A LOT of money and then transfer into a good 4 year college. Think about a 4 year college with a significant girl to boy ratio in your favor like Boston University. :grin:

 

[thetrailboss]

9th grade gpa: 3.8
10th grade gpa: 3.7
11th grade gpa: 4.1

SAT:
570 english
630 math
(yes, I know those scores aren't good compared to my gpa but that is what happens when you go to Lynn public schools)

Not sure about major. I like math and science. I'm thinking about environmental. But i kind of hate hippies...

Reach schools:
Dartmouth
Middlebury

Middle schools (or whatever they are called):
UVM
St. Mikes

Back-up:
U-mass Lowell

Opinions on this?

Wow...a 3.8. I'd try for Bates as well....they DON'T take SAT I's, but require SAT II's IIRC. Close to Sugarloaf and Sunday River...well...as close as one gets.

Feel free to PM me about Middlebury...Alum am I. :wink:

Oh yeah....and be sure to visit ALL these schools.

 

[riverc0il]

I hear Colorado has some nice 2 year community colleges. :wink:

Seriously a less expensive 2 year college is good way to save A LOT of money and then transfer into a good 4 year college. Think about a 4 year college with a significant girl to boy ratio in your favor like Boston University. :grin:

i would highly recommend against starting out at a four year college. though the girl to boy ratio is a good consideration

 

[John84]

Wow...a 3.8. I'd try for Bates as well....they DON'T take SAT I's, but require SAT II's IIRC. Close to Sugarloaf and Sunday River...well...as close as one gets.

Feel free to PM me about Middlebury...Alum am I. :wink:

Oh yeah....and be sure to visit ALL these schools.

Middlebury is a fantastic school and all; but it's insanely expensive. $44,330 for tuition, room, and board.

 

[ctenidae]

Go wherever they'll give you the most money.

 

[riverc0il]

Middlebury is a fantastic school and all; but it's insanely expensive. $44,330 for tuition, room, and board.

damn, is that per year?

 

[John84]

damn, is that per year?

Yup

 

[John84]

Wow...a 3.8. I'd try for Bates as well....they DON'T take SAT I's, but require SAT II's IIRC. Close to Sugarloaf and Sunday River...well...as close as one gets.

They don't require any standardized tests. But the average SAT score out of 1600 for kids who do submit them is 1342.

 

[awf170]

What kind of classes did you take? How many honors, AP, etc? I'm assuming that's a weighted gpa because you have over a 4.0 for your junior year. How does your school weight? Do you know your class rank? What kind of extra curriculars do you have? Why didn't you take the new SAT with the writing section?

Edit: Just re-read this and it sounds kind of condescending. Not trying to sound like that at all.

Weighted gpa. I take all honors, no AP's yet. I'm taking AP calc, and AP stats this year, and maybe AP bio. My class rank is in the top 5%, I think like 18 out of 360ish. I don't have many extra-curriculars. I had a christian club every year, and was the leader this year and did a bunch of tutoring this year. I did take the new SAT but I was under the assumption that the last section didn't really matter, an way I got a 440 :-o my grammar skills are terrible. I think I'm going to take a class or atleast read a book and take it again. I did no studying for the SAT the first time I took it.

I was supposed to go visit UVM, St. Mikes, and possibly Middlebury a few weeks ago but my dad couldn't go for some reason. I'll probably go soon though.

 

[John84]

I think I'm going to take a class or atleast read a book and take it again. I did no studying for the SAT the first time I took it.

I'm not sure about your area, but where I live the classes are extremely expensive and from friends that have taken it, they don't really help you with anything. If you want to self study, I suggest getting the blue book from collegeboard. It's a book with 8 full length SAT practice tests that my friends have told me works really well. I plan to use it myself when I take the real SAT this upcoming year.

 

[nelsapbm]

Definately visit your schools. You may visit Middlebury and feel it's too isolated or the opposite....you may like the small town. You may visit Dartmouth or UVM and feel you really like the "college town" vibe, or you may hate it. You never know until you visit. All the schools you're looking into a great. I'm a UVM grad so feel free to PM or post any questions.

 

[thetrailboss]

Middlebury is a fantastic school and all; but it's insanely expensive. $44,330 for tuition, room, and board.

Hate to tell you, but that is the market, my friend. :roll: All the ivies and the top NE Liberal Art Schools are all the same price.

I WILL say that Midd was very helpful with financial aid for me. I am very lucky.

 

[salida]

Hate to tell you, but that is the market, my friend. :roll: All the ivies and the top NE Liberal Art Schools are all the same price.

I WILL say that Midd was very helpful with financial aid for me. I am very lucky.

Most people don't pay that. I go to a private upper tier school in new england that lists at 45ish, working in the admissions office at the school, most people only pay about a 1/5 of that a year...

 

[ALLSKIING]

Most people don't pay that. I go to a private upper tier school in new england that lists at 45ish, working in the admissions office at the school, most people only pay about a 1/5 of that a year...

What are the most common ways people are getting around paying full price?