Good colleges?

Question

I have a 3.1 GPA average. Despite that, i have alot of community service that I do and I'm also really involved in a non-profit organization helping children in 3rd world countries. I also go to a really good high school that I know has a lot of weight when applying to colleges. My grades the past two years (I'm a junior right now) have not been the greatest (around a B- average), however I know i can do well on my SAT and SAT II and the rest of school years.

What colleges would you say are in my range (I would prefer the Northeast/California)

Answer 1

MIT, Harvard, Stanford, Yale, Columbia, Trinity, Holy Cross, Yeshiva, Amherst, Brown, Dartmouth.

Answer 2

You know, the best school for you might not be the "best school" on a national ranking list or the best school for me.

Let me suggest you sit down and write a list of what you want in a school. Big school (Arizona) or little school (Ursinus)? Are you looking for a party school (think 'Bama), or a place where a wild Saturday night is writing a new computer program (MIT)? Do you want to be in the middle of a big city (George Washington), or in a beaucolic college town (Amherst)? Snow (Boston College) or beach (Pepperdine)? Known for it's engineering programs (GA Tech) or for it's film department (USC)? Those are some suggestions - and a list of very good schools for very different students - but let your mind flow and just write down what it is the excites you about going to college.

Next step, ask everyone - and this is a good forum for finding "everyone" - what schools have those features. You might also want to discuss it with your school guidance counselor and maybe even a paid college consultant.

Then visit those schools. Plane fares are cheap nowadays. You can go for the day. If you don't have the money, save up by babysitting, raking leaves, or selling cookies door to door. You'll know what feels right as you walk around the campuses. You might not know what to look for on the first campus visit, but when you get to the second, you'll see things that weren't at the first or what is missing from the second that you found in the first. Your instinct and common sense will guide you.

Set up interviews. DO NOT MAKE EXCUSES FOR ANYTHING IN THAT INTERVIEW!! Be positive, happy, and professional. Also, be prepared with questions about the school and solid, positive answers to typical questions. Most schools will see more in a positive, well adjusted B student than a pompous or miserable A student. Make the interviewer want to go to bat for you.

Then apply. Apply to any school you want. Don't let someone tell you not to apply somewhere because you probably won't get in. If you apply, you might not get in. If you don't apply, you won't get in. I like the odds of applying better. The school may agree that there is a special something in you that makes you the perfect addition to its freshman class.

Finally, talk money. It's crazy to go to First U when Very Good Second U is willing to pay your way. Graduating with no debt is a very good thing.

Success in school and in later life will more depend on you doing well in whichever program you select than just where you go to school. There are many unhappy Ivy League graduates working at menial jobs and "King of the World" CEOs that went to community colleges.

Best of luck!