Recommend colleges for me

College Search & Lists
1

Based on my stats and everything else, what colleges would you recommend I look into (reach, target or safety idc which) I’d prefer a school that’s liberal (politically) and is located in or near the East Coast. (please be nice I’m very hyperaware of how bad my GPA is :sob:)

US citizen

State/Location of residency: Midwest

Extremely competitive public high school

Grade 11 going on 12

Gender/Race/Ethnicity: Female, White, American

Other special factors: 504 Mental Health Plan, neurodivergent

Major: Psychology

Cumulative Unweighted HS GPA: currently 2.90

Cumulative Weighted HS GPA: currently 3.0w on a 5 scale (freshman grades were heavily affected by mental health but now I earn all A’s. it’ll be about a 3.1w when I apply for most of the colleges on my list though)

Class Rank: HS doesn’t do class rank

ACT/SAT Scores: N/A

AP Scores: AP Psych (predicted 4 or 5)

AP Psychology, AP Environmental Science, Comp I & II (college class), Advanced Digital Music Production

Won a competitive school-wide writing contest and read/published the piece at a winners banquet

Had a quantum physics paper published by an online journal

Gold Standard of Excellence Award (x2)

I’m An Artist Award issued by Midwestone Bank

I published my own scientific blog where I share my research and write articles on various topics such as psychology, neuroscience, etc.

conducted and presented a psychological research project at my school

multiple passion projects

4 years of French (in school)

self taught in German and Korean

UC BerkeleyX Psychedelics and the Mind Course (edX, certificate)

HarvardX Fundamentals of Neuroscience Course (edX, certificate)

HarvardX Building Personal Resilience: Managing Anxiety and Mental Health (edX, certificate)

Johns Hopkins Fundamental Neuroscience for Neuroimaging (coursera)

U of I Girls Go STEM program

U of I Kids Go STEM program

U of I Girls Who Can Code program

U of I performing arts summer program

NIH virtual workshop

Little Village Summer Camp (wrote a piece on a local vegan restaurant and interviewed the owner)

student government (x2) in elementary school

played competitive/academy tennis for 5+ yrs and was a featured player

AAA school safety patrol in elementary school

Houses into Homes equity bootcamp

Red Cross club

volunteered as an instructor at my high school’s summer tennis camp

competitive swimming, 2 yrs

running club in junior high, 1 yr

cross country in junior high, 1yr

part-time job on weekends, 6hr shift

catholic religious ed program

played clarinet for 4 years in school band

self taught in piano

2

You have some nice strengths in your list above. Have you looked at the Colleges That Change Lives list of schools? You may find something of interest there.

We don’t know your budget…but check out Keene State College in NH and Plymouth State College also in NH. Roger Williams in Rhode Island is an option. Rhode Island College in Providence is an idea. Would you consider Salve Regina in Rhode Island

I think these would all be sure things…

@AustenNut your thoughts?

2 Likes
3

I would ask an experience college counselor or and admissions officer (not a student employer at admission) at a target/reach school about your GPA situation and if they think you could be a candidate.

1 Like
4

Did I miss it - what size school do you seek?

Any budget issues or concerns?

5

Also, will you need any accommodations in college? That should be considered when making your application list also.

2 Likes
6

You’ve done some amazing things and I think in your case a letter from your guidance counselor with an explanation is warranted.

I would think of adding Lasell and Curry College to your list. Your GPA should be fine at those schools. Perhaps Lesley as well as there is a good neurodivergent crowd.

Of the New England flagships, I think you would stand the best chance at UMaine.

3 Likes
7

Maybe University of Rhode Island as well.

2 Likes
8

Look into Siena.

2 Likes
9

Goucher may work.

2 Likes
10

I am a fan of Siena but don’t see it as the “liberal” type of college the OP would like.

11

Siena may not be notably socially liberal. However, the OP specified a preference for a politically liberal school, for which Siena may be suitable. In any case, I recommended it based largely on the strength of its psychology program, accessible admission criteria and location.

1 Like
12

medium to large sized would be ideal. as for budget, probably nothing over $70,000.

13

Not that I’m aware of at the moment. I have ADHD so I’m not entirely sure how that works in college in terms of being accommodated for.

14

I can’t speak to the services offered but URI could fit but might be a reach.

U of Southern Maine.

Quinnipiac

Marist - might be a slight reach

Millersville ¶

SUNY Brockport - but it’s highly highly highly in state.

VCU

Most schools aren’t political - kids go to school, party - some may get political - but these schools should all fit you ok.

Some - like Brockport and VCU will have heavy in state populations but all these are very regional.

Good luck.

1 Like
15

What reach schools would you recommend?

16

Marist has a program for students with learning needs - I’d call it a reach.

And URI would be a reach.

But both of these are reasonable reaches.

But don’t worry about reaches - find a school where you will fit and can excel.

1 Like
17

If you exclude 9th grade, what is your unweighted GPA? Some schools don’t consider freshman year grades, or may significantly minimize it.

Are you interested in studying Korean or German in college or any other languages?

Are you open to the enrollment on the entire east coast, or just certain parts? Is it the location or certain aspects/traits that you associate with the east coast? For instance, parts of New York are quite liberal, but many others are quite conservative. Trying to get a better sense of what you are seeking.

3 Likes
18

An example of a reach school for you might be SUNY–Geneseo, which offers a strong psychology program and quaint setting, and would fall within your budget.

3 Likes
19

Clark U in MA is very strong in psych and (if not too small) may be worth a look.

4 Likes
20

I second Clark but it’s small.

1 Like