Schools of moderate selectivity in California

College Search & Lists
1

<p>Can you guys suggest any schools of moderate selectivity (40-60% acceptance rates) in California? I’m in the process of finalizing the schools I’m going to apply to, and most of them are reaches, so I need a bit more matches and safeties. </p>

<p>Current stats: 2170 SAT, Rank (1/125), decent ECs, 4.5 W/4.0 UW GPA, 620-Math II, 730 USH. </p>

<p>I’m planning on a 2250+ SAT on retake, and definitely 750+ for Math (I’m going to study/practice my butt off to make sure of it), and hopefully the same for Lit and/or Bio. </p>

<p>I’m currently realistically aiming at UCLA and UCSD, but I need more schools that I have a good-great shot at. I’m looking into majoring in Biology or Biochemistry as pre-med.</p>

2

<p>Obviously UCD should be on the list. Can you afford privates or qualify for need based aid?</p>

3

<p>Santa Clara University.</p>

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<p>UC Davis is indeed on the list, as well as UC Irvine. Without any scholarships or aid, I could probably not afford private schools without a substantial amount in loans. When my brother applied for need-based aid, he didn’t get very much so I doubt I will either. Outside of loans and what my family can pay, I’m going to be relying on merit based scholarships. </p>

<p>I’ll check out Santa Clara, thanks for the suggestion!</p>

5

<p>University of San Diego. You might get merit aid.</p>

6

<p>UCB with your stats should be a clincher for in-state students.
Stanford would be a reach.
I would not apply to any UC lower than UCLA.</p>

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<p>UCB is more of a moderate reach, as is UCLA. Stanford is a high reach.</p>

<p>Definitely look at USD. Pepperdine and Loyola Marymount maybe?</p>

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<p>I agree that you have a very, very good shot at getting into Berkeley (esp if you can get your SAT up like you mentioned). And while I also agree that you have a great shot for UCLA, I would definitely recommend applying to UCSD and UCI for safety. I personally applied to those 4. I know someone with a 4.0 and a 2390 SAT who got rejected from UCLA, so I think the extra app money is worth it for safety reasons.</p>

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<p>Thanks for all the replies!</p>

<p>How much would it cost to go to USD per year? Is it less than the price to go to UC Davis or Irvine? I would probably consider Pepperdine: is that a match for me?</p>

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<p>USD is private, so about 50K before merit vs 25k for UC’s. Pepperdine needs to be a match with more than just stats. Compare their admission rate and stat’s, and check out the essay prompt.</p>

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<p>Pepperdine
Pitzer
Chapman University
Occidental
Loyola Marymount
Univ. of Redlands</p>

12

<p>USF, Santa Clara are outstanding Jesuit schools as well. USanDiego is a fine diocesan school.</p>

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<p>Pepperdine, Pitzer and Oxy have admit rates well below 40%… I don’t what’s up with this thread.</p>

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<p>gwugirl - Pepperdine, Pitzer and Oxy all fall within the range that the OP has a decent chance of getting accepted at with these stats:</p>

<p>***Current stats: 2170 SAT, Rank (1/125), decent ECs, 4.5 W/4.0 UW GPA, 620-Math II, 730 USH. </p>

<p>I’m planning on a 2250+ SAT on retake, and definitely 750+ for Math (I’m going to study/practice my butt off to make sure of it), and hopefully the same for Lit and/or Bio. ***</p>

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<p>JohnAdams12 - I didn’t say they weren’t within his range, but he said he’s looking for schools with 40-60% admit rates as safeties.</p>