OS is a rising senior and looking at schools. His stats are 4.00 uw/4.68 weighted. 35 ACT and 2340 SAT. He will likely be NMF (well above California’s traditional cut-off. He is interested in double majoring in Applied Math and Film. I know - strange combo.
Any suggestions what schools that are off the top 30 list that he could consider for semi-safeties?
Cost constraints need to be looked at to determine whether a school can be a safety.
If need-based financial aid will not be sufficient and you need a very low net price:
http://nmfscholarships.yolasite.com/
http://automaticfulltuition.yolasite.com/
California has lots of public universities, so if they are affordable at list price or on need-based financial aid, some of them could be safeties or almost safeties. UCB, UCLA, UCSB, UCI, UCSC, and UCR have film majors; it is very unlikely that he will be rejected at all six if he applies to all six and writes good essays. Some CSUs also have film majors, though the UCs are generally stronger for math for a student considering PhD study.
My son is in a similar situation (except for grades, which will probably keep him from making NMF). While doing his research he discounted schools with a smaller number of math classes offered. Your son, with his grades, will be able to aim higher. Drexel gives free tuition to NMF. However, I believe their film program is difficult to get into and requires a portfolio. My son is looking at minoring in film and majoring in math. Is he looking at going outside CA? I also thought it was a strange combination. Is your son interested in the film making or the critical aspect?
Agreed that a UC will provide the best safety.
Not a safety, but Case Western offers a Theatre major/minor, which can provide much the same foundational work if he’s interested in creative roles (acting/writing/directing/design). A solid school for a BS Applied Math, too.
Rochester Tech is a safety (pending affordability) that offers a Film Production BFA and a Motion Picture Science BS. The second program might be appealing for a student more interested in the technical/physical/engineering aspects of film (a fairly unique program). Applied math here, too.
Stevens Tech is a safety that offers a BA in Visual Arts/Tech. Not film, but film-like as far as its cross-over applications in animation/design. The campus is adjacent to NYC, too. Son would be in the running for the full-tuition Ann P. Neupauer Scholarship. No applied math, but it’s a tech school so probably reasonably applied.