Junior Student looking with a 3.5 GPA looking for colleges in warm climate [NJ resident]

Chance Me / Match Me
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I am a currently a junior, and I am looking for colleges with a communication program. I want to go to the school in California, hopefully SoCal, or somewhere in the south (except Florida). I’m also totally open to anywhere if they have a strong program regarding my majors below. Please give me suggestions for any colleges to add to my list and chance to ones I have already listed!! Thanks!

US Citizen
New Jersey Resident (not applying in state)
Public school that is very highly ranked in the state
White Female

Majors I’m interested in: Media Studies, Broadcast Journalism, Communications, Sports Media

GPA, Rank, and Test Scores
3.40 UW (on a 4.3 scale)
3.45 W
My school does not give out class rank, but the average gpa last year was a 3.7 UW, my class size is about 330 people
1220 SAT

My GPA was a 3.1 freshman year, 3.5 sophomore year, and will proboley be around a 3.7 this year, so each year I have shown improvement.

I have taken 1 honors class, I am planning to take an AP and an another honors class next year. My school requires people to apply to take honors/APs, so I can’t just take whatever I want. Thought that was worth mentioning.

Most Improved Award for Softball

Volunteered as CIT for 2 summers (around 500 hours of volunteer work)
Worked as a camp counselor for 2 summers
I am the co-president of a mental health awareness club that has about 200 members. (One of the largest clubs in the school). I have done that since sophomore year and will still hold the position next year.
Member of the planting club
Varsity Softball
JV Softball team caption

Have not written it yet but I think it will be pretty strong. I am most likely going to have it relate to my improvement in all factors, which is what my app will be themed around. My strongest letter of rec will talk about my improvement

Cost isn’t really a big factor for me

Schools I am planning to apply to as of right now. I am still looking to grow my list also let me know my chances for what I have now.

Safety:
Johnson and Wales Providence
Arizona State

Match:
College of Charleson
Ithaca College

Reach:
Syracuse University
SDSU
Chapman University
University of San Diego

MOD NOTE: OPENED FOR UPDATE AT OP’s REQUEST, 2/4/25

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$90k per year is affordable to you and your parents without loans?

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Not 90k, but I’m not limiting my search based on costs. lll cross that bridge when I get results. My parents don’t want me worrying about that.

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Finances should be a primary consideration before starting any college search.

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You need a budget, first and foremost.

Throwing out schools without taking money into account - so SU takes you but you can’t afford it.

That’s a rejection.

Get the budget - you can study BJ/communications anywhere.

Can you spend $20K? $40K? $80K

Let that drive your list - so that your list is all applicable to your desires.

Good luck.

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I have had these discussions with my parents and they are perfectly fine with this list

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Maybe look at Elon and Quinnipiac.

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I’ve heard good things about Elon. Do you think I have a good change of getting accepted?

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I’m a bit confused with the list of schools you’re interested in. You indicate you want warm schools, but then you have Johnson & Wales-Providence, Ithaca, and Syracuse. There are really big schools and then more mid-sized ones. You have some schools with more of an artsy ethos and then schools where there is big college enthusiasm. Schools where Greek life is dominant and others where it doesn’t exist at all. What kind of college experience would you like?

San Diego State is probably a very unlikely admit, though I will yield to @ucbalumnus and @gumbymom. But my impression is that GPAs to get in there would need to be much higher, particularly for out-of-state students.

ETA: @tsbna44 might want to share his story about success and practice with respect to big name schools like Newhouse at Syracuse vs. smaller programs.

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They are fine but are they ware of the costs? We find out later - my parents blessed this but when they realize it was near $400K…etc. etc.

I like the list except many of the schools don’t match what you wrote:

“I want to go to the school in California, hopefully SoCal, or somewhere in the south”

So perplexed by that.

You might add an Indiana (not looking at weather) and Alabama - both strong in mass comm. Ole Miss is another to consider.

Finally, Stetson and Tampa could work and South Florida as well (reach on USF).

Good luck.

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SDSU is test blind and they admit based on your CSU Capped weighted GPA, HS course rigor, completion and exceeding the minimum a-g course requirements, local residency status and first generation.

The CSU capped weighted GPA is based on your grades from 10-11th grades for the a-g course requirements. As an OOS applicant only AP and IB classes taken 10-11th will be weighted in the calculation with a maximum of 8 semesters.

Here are the CSU a-g course requirements and make sure you have a year of a Visual/Performing arts course which trips up many OOS applicants.

And here is the CSU GPA calculator: GPA Calculator | CSU

Average CSU GPA for admitted students was 4.04.

SDSU will be a Reach school.

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I understand that you’re not interested in staying in New Jersey, but I’d strongly recommend adding at least one in-state public to your list. Have you considered Rowan? It has a popular major in Sports Communication & Media as well as majors in Radio/TV/Film, journalism, communication studies, etc. Additionally, it’s only 30m from Philadelphia and 45m from Wilmington with the media and sports teams in those areas. (Wilmington has G-League basketball, a minor league baseball team, roller derby, rugby, women’s professional football & others. The Philly area also has teams beyond the NBA, NFL, MLB, NHL, and MLS.)

Below is part of a post I wrote that I’ve adapted for you.

I would think about where you can get the most practice. So that means airtime on the college radio/tv stations, but also additional opportunities. Minor league sports teams, or even high school sports teams (some areas of the country have rabid fan bases for high school football or basketball, etc.). I suspect that smaller markets will have an easier time to break in if you also try to get any airtime on standard broadcast stations, but perhaps the college station might have you cover professional sports for them (i.e. NFL, NBA, etc).

With all that in mind, I went looking for areas with multiple minor league teams that weren’t overrun with college students. Regardless, though, this is definitely a field where you need to be a go-getter. Nobody is going to hand you this on a silver platter.

Allentown/Bethlehem (Lehigh Valley), PA

  • Phantoms, AHL
  • IronPigs, AAA baseball
  • United, USL League Two

Consider Muhlenberg or Moravian

Birmingham, AL

  • Stallions, USFL team
  • Squadron, NBA G League
  • Barons, AA baseball

Consider U. of Alabama – Birmingham or Samford

Charleston, SC

  • Stingrays, ECHL team
  • Riverdogs, Single A
  • Battery, USL League

Consider College of Charleston (you already are!)

Charlotte, NC

  • Checkers, AHL team
  • Knights, AAA baseball
  • Eagles, USL League Two
  • Independence II, USL League Two

Consider UNC – Charlotte or Queens

Des Moines, IA

  • Wild, AHL team
  • Cubs, AAA baseball
  • Menace, USL League Two

Consider Drake or Iowa State

Fort Wayne, IN

  • Mad Ants, NBA G League
  • Komets, ECHL team
  • Tin Caps, High-A baseball
  • Fort Wayne FC, USL League Two

Consider Purdue – Fort Wayne

Grand Rapids, MI

  • Gold, NBA G League
  • Griffins, AHL team
  • Midwest United FC, USL League Two

Consider Calvin, Aquinas, or Grand Valley

Greensboro, NC

  • Swarm, NBA G League
  • Grasshoppers, High-A baseball
  • Fusion U23, USL League Two

Consider UNC-Greensboro, North Carolina A&T, or Guilford

Hartford, CT

  • Wolf Pack, AHL team
  • Hartford City FC, National Premier Soccer League
  • AC Connecticut, USL League Two
  • Yard Goats, AA baseball

Consider U. of Hartford

Houston, TX

  • Gamblers, USFL team
  • Roughnecks, XFL team
  • Dynamo 2, MLS Next Pro
  • Space Cowboys, AAA baseball
  • AC Houston Sur, USL League Two
  • AHFC Royals, USL League Two
  • Houston FC, USL League Two

Consider U. of Houston

Indianapolis, IN

  • Fuel, ECHL team
  • Indians, AAA baseball

Consider Butler, IUPUI, or U. of Indianapolis

Las Vegas/Henderson, NV

  • Vipers, XFL team
  • Legends, National Premier Soccer League
  • Aviators, AAA baseball
  • Ignite, NBA G League
  • Silver Knights, AHL

Consider UNLV

San Antonio, TX

  • Brahmas, XFL team
  • Cornithians, National Premier Soccer League
  • Missions, AA baseball

Consider St. Mary’s

Toledo, OH

  • Toledo Villa FC, USL League Two
  • Walleye, ECHL
  • Mud Hens, AAA baseball

Consider U. of Toledo

Wilkes-Barre/Scranton, PA

  • Penguins, AHL team
  • Shock, National Premier Soccer League
  • RailRiders, AAA baseball

Consider U. of Scranton, Marywood, or Wilkes

Omaha, NE

  • Omaha Supernovas – indoor volleyball
  • Omaha Beef-National Arena League footall
  • Omaha Storm Chasers – AAA baseball
  • Nebraska Bugeaters FC – semi-pro soccer
  • Omaha Kings FC –indoor soocer
  • Omaha Queens – indoor soccer
  • Union Omaha - soccer

Consider Creighton

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Yes you have a chance at Elon, but you will need to visit and show lots of interest (webinars, etc). Syracuse will be a major reach, their Newhouse school is super competitive.

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On your list, ASU seems like a promising choice, with strong programs in your areas of interest. It’s a really huge school, though - does that work for you?

If you like College of Charleston, you might also look at UNC-Wilmington, which is just a few hours up the coast. U of South Carolina could be worth a look too Bachelor's Programs - College of Information and Communications | University of South Carolina

How about Loyola New Orleans? Their School of Communication & Design has majors that fit your interests.

If you want a top journalism school, consider U of Missouri. Not a “warm” climate but considerably warmer than Syracuse or Ithaca! Undergraduate Degrees – Missouri School of Journalism

Another strong journalism program to look at would be the Scripps College of Communication at Ohio U

As others have already noted, SDSU admissions are based almost entirely on GPA and transcript rigor - this probably isn’t an attainable admit. Admitted student stats at USD are pretty high too. Point Loma is in an absolutely gorgeous location and has programs that would likely fit, and the stat profile fits, but you’d have to be okay with the religious emphasis.

In LA, LMU would be a reach but worth a try. Cal Poly Pomona might work depending on the competitiveness of the major. U of Redlands could be worth a look.

UNLV could be another to look at: https://www.unlv.edu/jms UNR isn’t as warm, but it’s minutes from the California border. Reynolds School of Journalism | University of Nevada, Reno

Agreed that Elon would be a good one to look at… and maybe High Point as well.

Good luck!

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Knowing the price limit up front will help you avoid putting in the work of getting several admission offers that are all too expensive.

Admission that is too expensive is the same as rejection.

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The White Caps, which are a high-A baseball team, are also in the Grand Rapids area (Comstock Park).

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OK I get that you want a warm climate, but that warm climate comes with a HUGE cost in SoCal.

Tuition and fees at San Diego State are probably “doable” for your parents Since it’s not at $90K a year.

But since you don’t have a budget figure, we will never know that.

As an out of state student, you may be accepted as a “cash cow” If, and ONLY if your grade point average were higher. See, the “cash cows” bring in cash for our state in the amount of money they have to spend to live in California.

San Diego State University is funded by the State of California and resident taxpayers. The university has to prioritize students who are residents of California coming from California high schools. San Diego State and CSU Long Beach can average 100,000 applications a year for admission.

Right now, the state is having budget issues, so if you are lucky enough to get in, it may be because you are paying OOS fees.

Your issue, right now is your GPA of 3.4 UW, which is not competitive as an out of state student for SDSU.
Locals maintain a 4.0 UW GPA, and they get priority on admissions.
Out of state students are currently coming in with 4.0 UW GPA’s.

If you’re considering SoCal for your education then you need to have your parents made aware of our cost to just live here.
Have your parents thought about flights, transportation, Health insurance, car insurance and rents???

Southern California has some of the worst public transportation. Basically, to use my daughter’s words, “it sucks”.

Most of the students, coming to SDSU, have cars-hybrids are popular. That’s because they’re residents of the State, and either live in the LA area or the Bay Area or rural parts of the state.
Right now, the price of gas is about $5.25 per gallon. So if you’re planning on spending time at Mission, Pacific Beach, or La Jolla Shores, that’s a 20-30 minute commute in low, good, traffic by car. Plan on spending a lot of money and time in your car. Also, plan on paying a nice chunk of change for car insurance while driving in California.

If you’re planning on taking public transportation, consider two hours to get down there after transfers, on a good, sunny, crowded beach day.

San Diego State has housing but most students move out of housing after sophomore year, into the community. Cheapest rents are running about $2000 to $3000 a month, that’s if you can find something near the school. Plus, you will have to outfit that apartment or condo and pay homeowners fees. Currently, my daughter’s homeowners fees at her condo are $400 per month. No it is not included in her mortgage. You might not have to pay your share though if it’s not already included in your rent.

The reason I tell you this is because it’s not just about going to school in Southern California it’s about LIVING in Southern California which is not an easy thing to do for out of state students.

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Of the schools I mentioned earlier, these are the ones that I think would be most promising for you, sorted by my guesses as to what your chances might be at these colleges. I didn’t include UNLV as @aquapt already did or College of Charleston, as you’re already considering it. And even if I didn’t mention a tv station (or radio station, etc), it doesn’t mean it doesn’t have one. I was just surprised when I saw that Wilkes, with 2k undergrads, did. The links (outside of the word Muhlenberg) all go to the relevant major/department for you.

Extremely Likely (80-99+%)

Likely (60-79%)

Toss-Up (40-59%)

Lower Probability (20-39%)

Low Probability (less than 20%)

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Re: UNLV… in addition to all of the teams you listed, that are based in the area, Las Vegas also attracts a ton of one-off athletic events at every possible level, because of all the large venues that are available for relatively-affordable prices. My CA kid had to travel there for tournaments. Given the robust programming that the university seems to have, the huge variety of possible opportunities in the area, the relative affordability compared to California schools, and the indisputably warm weather, it seems like a good one to consider. For the money saved over a SoCal school, OP could afford plenty of trips to the CA coast - flights take a little over an hour and are cheap.

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Not sure where in NJ the OP lives, but my son and daughter pay $2000 a month in central Jersey for one bedroom apartments, in a roommate situation expect to pay $1000+ a bedroom. COL should be an easy transition. Car insurance is also insane (we pay over $12000 a year for 4 vehicles, 2 don’t even have collision, 3 young adults on our policy, vehicles are 2007, 2012, 2016, and 2020). And we NEVER go though insurance, we pay oop so rates don’t increase.