Midwestern Looking At Branching Out

College Search & Lists
1

<p>Hi guys, first off, I guess I should give you some stats:</p>

<p>White Male from Nebraska
Junior
Weighted GPA: 4.03 (AP classes are weighted slightly, honors are not weighted)
UW GPA: 3.97
Courseload: Pretty difficult for my school. I took two AP classes this year: AP Language and Comp and AP US History, and am taking 6-7 next year.</p>

<p>Tentative senior schedule:
Civics (required)
Java Programming
AP English Lit and Comp
AP Calc AB
AP Bio
AP European History
AP Human Geography
AP Comparative Gov. and Politics
AP Spanish
Foods for Today</p>

<p>My best subjects are English and Social studies, but I also enjoyed the programming courses I’ve taken.</p>

<p>I have taken the ACT just once and got a 29, but that was last October (a year since I’d taken a math class, as our school is on a block schedule), and I feel it’s likely to raise to a 30-34 when I retake it in June, as I didn’t practice at all for the last one and this one I have been practicing.
On the October Test (which I went into cold) my scores were:
English 33
Math 20 (yeah I know it was horrible, but I sorta panicked because I knew I was gonna run out of time and I couldn’t remember many basic formulas (distance, quadratic, etc.))
Reading 33
Science 29</p>

<p>I got a 223 on the PSAT, and am hoping for National Merit.</p>

<p>I’m thinking about taking the SAT, even though only maybe 5% of the students around here take it, because it relies so much more on language and the math that is on it (or at least the PSAT) was much more logic based than knowledge based.</p>

<p>I’m weak in ECs, with JV Tennis sophomore and junior years and a 90% chance I make it to Varsity next year (our team is pretty competitive so I didn’t make it freshman year) as my only solid activities. I don’t know how to rationalize my inactivity in high school clubs and organizations other than to say that most of my non-homework time goes to video games, reading, or hanging out with my small social circle. Edit: I forgot that Newspaper counts. I was a staffer for the school Newspaper this year.</p>

<p>Basically, I know that there are certain schools in Nebraska I can get tuition covered at based off of ACT and GPA alone, but I’m trying to figure out what sort of reach schools I might have a chance at getting into. Another thing I have to take into account is that my parents aren’t able to help pay for my college at all, and I don’t want to be in debt, so if I have a choice between a full ride to the University of Nebraska at Omaha or at Lincoln and $40,000 worth of debt somewhere better, I will probably go to the cheaper school.</p>

<p>My major is still up in the air but based off of my strengths and interests I find I kinda think Computer Science, Linguistics, English, or a combination of the former and one of the latter will be my choice. I’m not sure how important that is to what college I go to.</p>

<p>The most imporant factors to me include affordability/scholarships available and the intellectual level of student body (I’m not interested in a party college, but rather one where I can talk to other students who are interested in learning - though not one of the uber-competitive schools where I’ll have a heart attack just to get an A).</p>

<p>I want a respected school that employers think is good, a school that fosters intellectual discussion and girls that aren’t vapid and social circles that aren’t dominated by drinking and drugs, and a school that I can get a scholarship to.</p>

<p>Assuming that I can get a 31-34 ACT, 50% chance I am a National Merit Finalist, 3.9 UW GPA, am taking many hard classes, and I stay on the tennis team next year, how far will I be able to get? The only schools I even know of that will get me scholarships almost automatically are UNO and UNL. I’m a Nebraskan, so I guess hopefully that will get me some points at coast schools as a minority (someone did actually tell me colleges look for students from less represented states).</p>

<p>As you can tell, I’m longwinded, sorry about the rambling mess I’ve just created.</p>

<p>But what do you guys think?</p>

<p>Also, if you guys know how a dude that’s not really shy, but has a smaller social circle of 3-4 good friends he hangs out with consistently, and many acquaintances, that has never been to a high school party with alcohol or drugs (I’ve always thought that said something about how sad my social life is), can get a smart, attractive girl to like him, I’d love advice about that too. I’ve never asked a girl out before and I have no idea what the rules are as far as how well you are supposed to know a person before you ask. To make things worse, I’ve only been in a class with her since December and am just starting to get her to laugh at my stupid jokes and talk to her a bit (not a lot of time in class for non-coursework) and school gets out in 3 days. As I’ve already mentioned I have a somewhat limited social circle (3-4 good friends) and don’t go to parties or social gatherings with large groups of people, and she isn’t really part of any social circle I do have ties to, so I don’t know why in the world I would see her during the summer. About the only thing I have in common with her is we are both intellectuals, have good grades, and I really like her and feel like I could get along with her forever. I’m about to give up and just hope I see her next year at school and can get to know her more then.</p>

2

<p>

Forget the stats and ECs, this paragraph tells me everything I need to know. Consider Carnegie Mellon and Emory as matches. Case Western Reserve would be a great safety, but it is technically in the Midwest.</p>

3

<p>Fizban, also look at RPI, Georgia Tech, WPI, Michigan, RIT and GWU. Also, see if you can add some volunteering to your ecs. Good luck!</p>

4

<p>Poster above me, did you read this paragraph when you suggested those schools?

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5

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<p>If you mean “aren’t able” rather than “aren’t willing,” apply to lots of best endowed colleges that claim to offer support for 100 percent of demonstrated financial need, and then compare offers. Your interest in computer science and your Midwestern origin could be a very strong hook. Spend time this summer reading a lot and practicing math problems (not necessarily all entrance test math problems) and try a retake on your ACT and a try at the SAT, after preparing some more specifically for each test. You might be able to reach quite high with the high school record you’ve already compiled. Apply widely and see what happens. </p>

<p>As for your social concerns, anywhere where there are computer-liking young men there is going to be a social network for you. If you go to a more diverse campus (you already have the desire to try a non-Midwestern campus), you’ll have more possibilities for personal growth and development out of your current comfort zone while you’re in college. You might surprise yourself with what you can adapt to. Good luck.</p>

6

<p>@ fizban119</p>

<p>Have you looked at any of the Big Ten schools in the Midwest? The region has a large variety of excellent colleges with UChicago, Northwestern, Michigan, Wisconsin, UIUC, Ohio State, and WashU being cream of the crop.</p>

<p>If you’re considering engineering, the Midwest has MANY excellent engineering schools. Ditto for social sciences.</p>

<p>Also check out the liberal arts colleges (Kalamazoo, Grinnell, Oberlin, Hope, etc.) if you want that type of atmosphere too.</p>

7

<p>Young fella, as for the girl – just ask her out. Not necessarily for anything elaborate – just ask her if she wants to have lunch some time or a coffee or an ice cream. The worst that can happen is that she’ll say no, and although that will feel bad for a little while you’ll be no worse off than you are now wondering about it. If you don’t ask, you’ll regret it. And of course, if she says yes… </p>

<p>As for college, I agree with the poster above who suggested you look at LACs. They sound like they’d be a good fit for you. Money will be an issue but you may find you’ll have some good financial aid options.</p>

<p>Good luck – on both fronts.</p>

8

<p>fizban,
First, get clarity on the financials. Ask your parents to use one of those on-line calculators to determine how much need based aid your family would be eligible for. It’s not foolproof but it’s a good starting point. If it looks like your family would qualify for enough need-based aid to allow you to go to a private college then rip away: most selective colleges are pretty good at meeting need.</p>

<p>If on the other hand you need merit aid then you’ll have another list. If that’s the case, come back and we can help you there too.</p>

<p>There are plenty of selective colleges that would be interested in a smart kid from Nebraska. Your ECs are on the weak side but your demographics are good. I’d suggest that you start by looking at a few small and medium colleges that are more middle of the road socially and politically. I’d suggest you investigate the following and then take it from there.</p>

<p>Bowdoin, Hamilton, Williams, Amherst, Kenyon.
These are not tech-y schools but they do attract “regular” kids with diverse interests. Excellent academics.</p>

<p>Will you be able to visit? That would help a lot in getting a clearer picture the differences between these colleges.</p>

<p>You should work on presenting your interests in a cohesive and focused manner. Don’t embellish, just pick two or three of your main pasttimes and think about how they present a rounded picture of who you are and what you could contribute to the campus community.</p>

<p>As for the girl, I’m 100% in agreement with MilwDad. Just ask her if she’d like to get a cappucino with you. It will be over in 30 seconds – you’ll either have a date or you’ll know it’s time to move on. that she laughs at your jokes is a positive indication. :)</p>

<p>Good luck and let us know how you do.</p>

9

<p>If you end up with national merit, do research about the wide and wonderful world of colleges that give out very generous merit scholarships to NMFs.</p>