Well, I'm a senior in high school in California. I have done some research on universities, but I probably don't know as much as I should by now. Since I'm in CA, I'm going to blanket the UCs (obviously), and apply to Cal Poly San Luis Obispo + other CSUs. However, I don't really want to stay in California if there is a chance to go to the New England/Northeast area of the US.

From my research I got some places like
Rutgers
NYU
University of Maryland
From this thread:
tufts
CMU

I'm not exactly an amazing student. My unweighted gpa is like 3.5. So no tip-top schools like MIT for me. I would prefer if they were in/near the city though because I'm not a fan of universities in the middle of nowhere. Private/Public not an issue

Does anybody else have any recommendations?

lighter

United States152 Posts

September 16 2009 03:54 GMT

what do you want to do for a living?

QuickStriker

United States3694 Posts

September 16 2009 03:55 GMT

Well, need more info like what you're interested in studying, the field you're going to work in for the rest of your life, your main goal and dream in life, etc....

FragKrag

United States11280 Posts

September 16 2009 03:55 GMT

I don't know.

My goal is to become a biologist (like, a real biologist), but really there isn't much going either way

I may be spouting too much college advisor bullshit, but isn't part of the point of college to help guide what you want to do?

Carnivorous Sheep

Baa?14069 Posts

September 16 2009 03:56 GMT

Come to NYU~!

It sucks for science but whatever.

FragKrag

United States11280 Posts

September 16 2009 03:57 GMT

Yeah, NYU is a choice, but probably NYU poly

QuickStriker

United States3694 Posts

September 16 2009 03:58 GMT

Well a biologist... hmm... geez, that's a tough one... well I really can't give much of an opinion on this, but I will be a little bit bias until I think of something else stating you should come to the city of New York City (eg. NYC or Columbia or any schools here) so that we can meet and have lunch!! (and play Starcraft) ^_^

FragKrag

United States11280 Posts

September 16 2009 03:59 GMT

Columbia is too gosu for me

it would be amazing if i could go though.

Random_0

United States1158 Posts

September 16 2009 04:03 GMT

Make sure you think about the recent budget cuts in California, especially to the UCs and to the State colleges.

I go to UCSD, and I've heard that the tuition is going up 15% this quarter, and then 15% again - that's right, a 32% increase in one year.

Although this is still a pretty good deal for in-state residents, it should at least factor into your decision.

Carnivorous Sheep

Baa?14069 Posts

September 16 2009 04:04 GMT

#10

On September 16 2009 12:58 QuickStriker wrote:
Well a biologist... hmm... geez, that's a tough one... well I really can't give much of an opinion on this, but I will be a little bit bias until I think of something else stating you should come to the city of New York City (eg. NYC or Columbia or any schools here) so that we can meet and have lunch!! (and play Starcraft) ^_^

Go plan a NYC meetup right now. Go. I'll come ^_^

Random_0

United States1158 Posts

September 16 2009 04:05 GMT

#11

On September 16 2009 12:55 FragKrag wrote:
I don't know.

My goal is to become a biologist (like, a real biologist), but really there isn't much going either way

I may be spouting too much college advisor bullshit, but isn't part of the point of college to help guide what you want to do?

UCSD is actually one of the top programs for biology.

QuickStriker

United States3694 Posts

September 16 2009 04:05 GMT

#12

On September 16 2009 12:59 FragKrag wrote:
Columbia is too gosu for me

it would be amazing if i could go though.

Well yes and no, I once applied to Columbia (the engineering school) and got waitlisted... but you are right, their acceptance rates are like 17%, crazy...

That being said, if your SATs OR your community service are really good, plus your application essay and all are nice, then you have a good chance!

Remember, your gpa isn't the only one that counts when the colleges view your application, there are 2 other factors: ACTs/SATs AND Community Service/Extracurricular Activites

FragKrag

United States11280 Posts

September 16 2009 04:09 GMT

#13

my sat is terrible (2030) sat II are ok (750 US History, 730 Math 2c), and I have like 40 hours of community service + no extracurricular activities.

I'm not going to make it. It depends on what I get after I retake the SAT I guess though.

I realize UCSD has one of the top programs, which is why it is the university I want to get into the most, but I don't want to stay in California. One because of the mentioned budget cuts, and two because I like the east coast more :|

OneOther

United States10771 Posts

September 16 2009 04:09 GMT

#14

On September 16 2009 13:05 QuickStriker wrote:

Show nested quote +

yeah but most of applicants at schools like columbia have all lol. top schools have gotten ridiculously hard heh

have you looked into tufts, boston college and schools like that? i don't know too much about them but i have some friends who attend those schools and really enjoying it

rredtooth

5242 Posts

September 16 2009 04:12 GMT

#15

come to CMU. i got in, you can too! in Pittsburgh, good school, and we have a CSL team.

also, this:

On September 16 2009 13:05 QuickStriker wrote:
Remember, your gpa isn't the only one that counts when the colleges view your application, there are 2 other factors: ACTs/SATs AND Community Service/Extracurricular Activites

my gpa sucked (i skipped a lot in HS) but my SAT and extracurriculars pwned.

have you considered early decision? its a double edged sword: it usually helps you get in and gives you a stress free remainder of senior year. however, it is binding and kills any freedom of choice you wish you had.

FragKrag

United States11280 Posts

September 16 2009 04:13 GMT

#16

I haven't looked into Boston College much, but I know it's a Jesuit college. I don't know how that will affect what I do, but it doesn't seem very inviting. (may be illogical, but w.e).

I think I might consider Tufts though. I'll look into it.

CMU is one of my dream universities. Carnegie is one of my all time heroes.

I actually have considered early decision. I'm not sure what to choose though.

Another thing to note: I don't know many teachers here because I came here my junior year so I'm not sure if I can get many recommendations.

QuickStriker

United States3694 Posts

September 16 2009 04:15 GMT

#17

On September 16 2009 13:09 FragKrag wrote:
my sat is terrible (2030) sat II are ok (750 US History, 730 Math 2c), and I have like 40 hours of community service + no extracurricular activities.

I'm not going to make it. It depends on what I get after I retake the SAT I guess though.

I realize UCSD has one of the top programs, which is why it is the university I want to get into the most, but I don't want to stay in California. One because of the mentioned budget cuts, and two because I like the east coast more :|

Hmm... well... that's no good then imo, I had similar (and a little bit) better qualities when I applied for Columbia and it still didn't work... well, alright, let's not shoot for something impossible then...

NYU is still a good possibility. It was my dumb idiotic decision of not applying there that made me where I am today. But east coast is awesome and NYC is the best city imo. So I will suggest you to shoot for NYC but don't just stop there, apply as many colleges as you can! I applied 10 and got accepted to 8 where I considered 8 of the 10 as safetys only to see the 2 I didn't get in as the non-safety. In any case, good luck!

FragKrag

United States11280 Posts

September 16 2009 04:19 GMT

#18

where are you today? :p

QuickStriker

United States3694 Posts

September 16 2009 04:23 GMT

#19

On September 16 2009 13:19 FragKrag wrote:
where are you today? :p

as in, I'm here in my school library cafe doing assignments and a 5 page paper doing this stupid all nighter thing on my very own birthday; raging myself because I got no "happy b-day" comments from any of my 300 so called "friends" on facebook or... o wait, what college I am right?

Well, I was at GWU (George Washington University) for 2 years as an engineering major (4 different types of engineering I was, kept switching) and now, after 1 year break from school (and was an english teacher in Korea), I'm now in Brooklyn College doing a Broadcast Journalism major as a new transfer student this semester.... in NYC where my house and life is...

One last advice: DON'T APPLY TO GWU!!! It sucks, I hate it, you'll probably hate it, the #1 most expensive school in the entire US, and it's full of bs... if you must apply to a school in DC, Georgetown, no question asked..