I am in high school and I would love to hear some suggestions of (safety or match) colleges I should look into.
My parent makes less than $15k per year and I will be responsible for all education costs. I think that our estimated family contribution would be less than $1-5k according to some net price calculators. I am an underrepresented minority (black/white) and I’ve faced significant adversity (parent died in 9th grade). My parent(s) are/were college educated. Right now I think I’ll major in the natural sciences. I am participating in a program at my high school where I will work in a paid lab position for three summers and three semesters. Some students in the program do graduate level work. However, my love of learning is my greatest strength and I am interested in almost everything. I also really like the humanities and social sciences which is why a liberal arts college appeals to me. I want college to be an immersive, personal, and learning-focused experience.
This is just a list, if you have any suggestions that seem to be great fits, but don’t adhere to all of the criteria please still mention them!
Most Important:
- Small discussion-based classes, wonderful academics
- Curious/intellectual atmosphere, less grade and resume padding focused
- Unique core curriculum, freshman programs
- Undergraduate-focused, mentor programs?
- Great career services and academic resources
- Good internship opportunities
- Solid financial and/or merit aid
- Available and easily accessible study abroad options
- Less use of multiple choice tests
Important:
- Good interaction between races and socioeconomic classes, diversity would be nice
- Non-preppy, not pretentious, less predominately wealthy and privileged people
- Less drinking/partying, substance-free options
- Liberal leaning but not hyper-liberal (no pronoun asking, perpetually offended/disturbed, ultra-hippy)
- Active or environmentally orientated student body
- Many student and weekend activities
- Beautiful environment and surrounding area
Least Important:
- Place where I could cook almost daily (I love cooking and I’m good at it)
- Non clique-y
- Less religious
- Little to nonexistent fraternities/sororities
- Option for single rooms in the dorm
- A friendly track and field team, not an enormous commitment. I’m still deciding whether I will pursue athletics in college or not (I am a state-ranked D1 track and field athlete).
My uw GPA is 3.8. I’ve taken a fairly hard course schedule, no APs, but I’ve taken honors classes and full schedules (no study halls). I believe that I can achieve a 28-32 on the ACT. I have a couple extracurriculars that I’m pretty invested in, but not ridiculous amounts of volunteering and no clubs.