hey all, i’m a current senior about to start my college application process and i’m looking to add more (east coast) safeties and targets onto my list. i’ll write my academics/stats and personal wants/requirements below!!
stats:
-ranked 62/523 (so like, relatively average)
-gpa 92.6 (out of 100)
requirements:
-lgbtq+ friendly (not conservative)
-no religious affiliation at all
other (more flexible) stuff:
-generally <50k
-preferably medium sized, but if the college is a good fit it doesn’t matter
-not considered a “party school”
current schools on my list:
targets:
-rutgers university
-university of pittsburgh
-university of vermont
-university of massachusetts (amherst)
safeties:
-university of delaware
-university of minnesota (not east coast but i like the vibes)
as the title says, i’m looking to be a general english major (not specifically creative writing) with a possible minor or double major in film/cinema studies. i’m also into the punk/emo scene so if anyone has any colleges that fit the other criteria and have a good music scene then that would be awesome as well!
state is new york but i left it out because i’d rather go out of state. cost is (preferably, not required) less than 50k. as for SAT/ACT scores, i’m retaking it in october but as of right now i’m not going to submit it because it’s very average
Their out-of-state list prices are closer to $60k, rather than being under the $50k that you prefer. So if you and your parents are unwilling to pay their list prices, you need to reassess them based on the chance of sufficiently large scholarships, rather than admission.
SUNYs are well under $50k per year for NY residents. CUNYs for non-commuter students are also likely to be under $50k per year for NY residents. Could those in parts of the state away from where you are now satisfy your desire to go to some place away from home?
not sure how edit sorry guys but when i said <50k it was only a randomly estimated preference not a make or break, i more so put that cause i didn’t want people to say colleges that are like 90k. ignore that if you wish
In terms of general social environment, you may have to rely on surveys and anecdotes.
In terms of campus administrative policies, Campus Pride Index lists them for the colleges it has listed. Note that many lists of “LGBT friendly” colleges rely on Campus Pride Index, but you should be aware of its limitations in its focus on campus administrative policies, rather than other aspects you may want to know about, like general social environment.
I agree that cost may be a problem. None of your listed schools will be <50K/yr unless you get merit aid. ETA: I just saw your revision above, that you would be willing to increase for right school, maybe.
Your class rank is not “relatively average", you are in the top 15%. Congrats on a strong academic record.
You need to find one “sure thing” school. A school that will for sure accept you, will for sure be affordable, and that you would be happy to attend.
I agree that Minneapolis might have the vibe you are looking for: Very LGBTQ+ friendly and a great punk music scene. And an airline hub so multiple affordable direct flights daily.
If, for affordability reasons, you end up considering in-state publics, keep in mind National Student Exchange. NSE is a consortium of ~200 schools across North America. You can do up to a year of exchange at any participating schools paying no more in tuition than what you are paying at your home college. The NY schools include Buffalo State, Paul Smith, CUNY Queens, Stony Brook, Plattsburgh and Potsdam. The schools in Minneapolis that belong include UMN and Augsburg. Here is the link to NSE: National Student Exchange - Campuses / Location
Speaking of Augsburg, it’s a small private university that does have a historic religious affiliation, but I don’t think you would ever realize that attending there. It has a long history as a super LGBTQ+ welcoming college. It also has an agreement by which you can take classes at Macalester (home of Husker Du) and other LACs in the Twin Cities such as Hamline. Hamline has a very strong creative writing program (I know that’s not your thing, but the English dept in general is strong.) Anyway, your COA at Augsburg and Hamline would be probably around $30K if Twin Cities schools other than UMN are something you are open to.
All you kids kill me. I don’t think that’s average !!
You could be ok at Delaware. You won’t be most likely at Pitt. NY is a big state so what’s, for example the difference if in state. Bing is not Albany, is not Buffalo, is not Geneseo, etc
Depending on your test, look at schools like Ithaca (could hit with merit), Susquehanna (could hit), URI HAS A 5 star campus pride index and like Delaware likely will hit.
But you need an assured to hit and SUNYs are great - and have differing environments.
Towson is sub 50 full pay. Has a 5.0 pride index. Look at Salisbury - not rated by CPI. But budget friendly for you.
Three outliers very friendly - all in budget - Louisville, K State and U Kansas. Lville and K State are Campus Pride Index stalwarts
Others closer that will hit budget with a smaller experience - Millersville, Mary Washington, Christopher Newport - would be worth your investigation.
It’s not under $50,000, but it is under $60,000 for tuition, fees, room & board for out of state students. My GS, also from NY and with similar stats to yours, received a package which put him under $40K.
It has a lot to offer for someone with your academic interests because it is a member of the Five College Consortium, which allows you to cross register for up to 2 courses per semester at any of the other 4 colleges in the consortium at no extra charge, starting 2nd semester of freshman year. Right in the center of town is Amherst College only a short bike ride away or an even shorter ride on the inter college shuttle - and it’s one of the very top small liberal arts colleges in the country. This immediately opens up to you a myriad of English courses, taught by top professors in small, seminar style classes. In addition, Hampshire College, another small liberal arts college, is just on the opposite side of town and reachable by the same shuttle bus. Hampshire has a top film program to supplement courses at UMass in your other interest area. Hampshire alums include film luminaries Ken Burns, Madeline Hunt-Ehrlich, and Che Williams.
My son with the same gpa got it down to $55,000 at UDel, but had a 30 act. Delaware seems to like scores (before COVID students could get a good merit guesstimate based on scores).
What is this equivalent to on a 4.0 scale? If you run UMN’s NPC, it will give you an estimated merit award based on your GPA, but the form only accepts GPA on a 4.0 scale.
Also, I see you have Pitt on your list. If you haven’t already applied, apply ASAP, since this is a school where the early bird gets the worm (in terms of both acceptance and merit).
Asheville, NC is extremely artsy and queer-friendly (and seems to have a punk scene), and UNC Asheville is an admissions safety that would make budget even before merit, and would probably give you some merit. The English major has concentrations in literature, creative writing, and teaching. The Mass Communication department, which houses film/media coursework, offers a major and a minor. It’s not generally considered a party school, but students partake in the local arts scene.
MCLA in Western MA would be a safety as well, and they have a reciprocity rate that includes New York, so the “sticker price” before merit would be only $34K/year. (It’s also a National Student Exchange school.) The English department offers a film concentration in addition to general, literature, and writing concentrations. It might be smaller than you want (1300 undergrads) but it’s close to Williams and Bennington, and has a cross-enrollment plan with them.
I think you have great choices on your current list, as long as your budget is flexible, because most of them are probably pushing the envelope a little on that front.
I agree that having a few NY publics on your list would be smart; you can assess the value-added of going out of state once you have offers and can compare actual costs.
Does English but not creative writing mean primarily a literature (and cinema) focus? Any particular career aspirations?