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What kinds of colleges do I have a chance of getting into? Safety schools, matches, reaches?

KateLynnaKateLynna Registered User Posts: 17 Junior Member
in College Search & Selection
My current gpa is a 3.6 unweighted/4.15 weighted, and I'm a junior.
I take mostly honors classes. I took 1 AP class last year, I'm taking 3 this year, and planning to take 5 next year.
My PSAT score was a 1330, and I'm taking the ACT and SAT soon. I'm hoping to get at least a 1400 on the SAT and 30 on the ACT, and I'm also hoping to improve my gpa by the end of senior year.
I'm planning to major in education.
Based on this, what kind of colleges should I be looking at? Are colleges like Stanford, Vanderbilt, or U Penn too selective for me? I mostly want to know where I might consider applying as safety schools, matches, and reaches.
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Replies to: What kinds of colleges do I have a chance of getting into? Safety schools, matches, reaches?

  • GumbymomGumbymom Forum Champion UC Posts: 26,987 Forum Champion
    College budget? Home State? Have visited any schools yet?
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  • GumbymomGumbymom Forum Champion UC Posts: 26,987 Forum Champion
    .
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  • KateLynnaKateLynna Registered User Posts: 17 Junior Member
    My parents haven't mentioned to me any exact amount they'd be able to afford to pay. Any college that has an average or less tuition price will be fine for my family, but nothing way above average expensive. My home state is Illinois, and I haven't visited any schools yet.
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  • GumbymomGumbymom Forum Champion UC Posts: 26,987 Forum Champion
    I would first get an actual $$ amount your parents are willing to pay. Then run the Net Price calculators for any schools of interest to see if you qualify for need-based and/or merit aid and give you an idea of costs. Average costs mean nothing. Where I live, some of the in-state universities will cost approximately $7500 tuition- $14,000 if you commute, around $20,000-30,000 if you live on campus and it goes up from there for many private schools. Having an actual $$ amount will help you narrow down your choices and unaffordability is pretty important from most applicants.

    In-state options are usually less expensive and if you are plan on majoring in education, it is always best to get your undergrad degree in the state you plan to teach. Until you have actual SAT/ACT scores and your GPA at the end of Junior year, it is difficult to recommend any schools.

    If you looking at Stanford, just consider that with a 4.8% acceptance rate, they turn away perfect GPA’s and test score applicants.

    Consider visiting some schools such as your state univeristy and a small liberal arts college to figure out your likes and dislikes so you can start formulating your college preferences.



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  • coolguy40coolguy40 Registered User Posts: 1,932 Senior Member
    If you want to major in education, you're better off at a state university. Go for as much scholarship money as you can get. With a teacher's salary, the fewer loans the better.
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  • KateLynnaKateLynna Registered User Posts: 17 Junior Member
    So my best options would be state universities in Illinois?
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  • GumbymomGumbymom Forum Champion UC Posts: 26,987 Forum Champion
    These CC threads may help you in regards to your Education major and career: https://talk.collegeconfidential.com/education-majors/

    If you want to teach in Illinois then you it may be in your best interests to consider Illinois schools.
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