Liberal Arts Colleges for a student with around a 3.3 - 3.5 GPA?

College Search & Lists
1

Hi!

I’m in the process of finishing my college list and I wanted to add more schools. I’m looking for Liberal Arts schools that I have a chance at getting into with a 3.4 W GPA, which will most likely be a 3.5 W by midyear. I also got a 1220 on my SAT, so test optional schools would probably be better. I have good ECs with a lot of awards and my recs should be pretty good.

I’m looking at schools in the North East but I would be willing to go anywhere in the US. I’m also interested in political science or international relations. I like small class sizes, small to medium-sized schools, and probably more socially liberal campuses. I also wouldn’t be opposed to attending a women’s college. I would really appreciate it if anyone could tell me about any LACs or any schools that would be good for me. Also, I’m interested in schools that give good financial aid.

Thanks in advance for the help.

2

Well, there’s a few that might fit your needs. Look at Whitman and Lewis & Clark in the Northwest and Occidental in Southern California. You could try for Smith or Mt. Holyoke in the Northeast (as reaches), and some coed LACs like Bucknell, Layfayette, Colgate, Sarah Lawrence, and Hamilton.

3

Look into St. Lawrence (average HS GPA 3.6) and Wheaton-MA (3.3).

4

Searching for overlap colleges of any of your current schools of interest may provide you with additional ideas. For example, USNWR includes them here for St. Lawrence:

http://colleges.usnews.rankingsandreviews.com/best-colleges/st-lawrence-university-2829

(Note that overlap schools may be “aspirational” peers in some cases.)

5

Thank you so much! Coincidentally, I was already looking into some of those schools. Most of them are definitely reaches though.

6

College of Wooster

7

@coolsloth You mention schools that give good financial aid. That will depend on family income and assets. Have you run EFC at any LACs? There is also merit aid,which will likelier be at schools where you land in the top half for GPA and/or SAT. (A 1220 is not bad at all).

8

If you are willing to leave east coast, Knox, Earlham, Kalamazoo and Beloit all worth a look.

9

What is your UW GPA? That is more important than your W GPA.

I am not sure I agree about test optional. If your W GPA is a 3.4, your test scores are in line with that, possibly a bit higher actually. Depending on the school not including your scores may hurt more than help as the gpa isn’t strong enough on it’s own. Not sure what your EC’s look like though. A 1220 isn’t bad.

Lewis and Clark is pretty big reach, I’d likely take that one off personally. Run Net Price Calculators on all and any, that will giv eyou an idea.

West Coast, look at Linfield, Willamette University of Puget Sound. Also Westminster in Salt Lake City. East Coast is going to be tough due to FA needs and just a generally more competitive pool Mid Atlantic and Midwest will have more options. Consider Goucher, Ohio Wesleyan, Wooster, Ursinus, Knox, Lawrence, St. Lawrence. Agree on Beloit and Kalamazoo, maybe Muhlenberg.

10

In PA there’s Allegheny and Susquehanna. I think Colgate, Bucknell and especially Hamilton will be reaches

11

I second the recommendations in Posts 7, 8 and 9. The Midwest schools especially will have more favorable financial/merit aid. Lots of top 100 LACs to choose from.