What are good target schools?

College Search & Lists
1

I’ve switched schools a couple of times, and while I am doing ok at my relatively rigorous school now (3.7 GPA unweighted) I struggled a lot with some personal issues (and didn’t actually go to school) before switching and ended up with a 2.2 GPA at my old school. Whenever I look at data from schools and stuff I’m an outlier because I have a 3.2 GPA and a 35 ACT. What would be some good target schools for me?

ACT: 35 C (36 reading, 35 math, science, English)
SAT IIs: 700 math II, I am retaking math ii and probably gonna take physics
GPA: 3.2
Rank: My school doesn’t rank and I have a tiny tiny graduating class (<10)
My school doesn’t offer APs
Senior Courses: Literary Theory (honors), Comparative Government (honors), Advanced Physics (honors), Calculus (honors), Intermediate Spanish, Beginning French, CompSci, Art

ECs: Restrictive school, so I can’t do much, but I run the kitchen here (it’s a boarding school) which is 9-12 hours a week, I’m an academic advisor, and I am on a youth board at the local youth center where I vote on the allocation of funds. Also, I have over 100 community service hours from TAing a martial arts class earlier in hs

Summer activities: We do an extra semester of school in the summer

I won an award for best science student, and a leadership award, but nothing outside of school.

Intended Major: Double major in computer science and theater
State: NY
School Type: Private, alternative (I have a scholarship)
Ethnicity: White
Gender: Female
Income Bracket: <<<$20,000
Hooks: idk if this is a hook but I’m a child born via IVF with unidentified donor and I wrote about it in my personal statement

Thank you!!

P.S. right now my reaches are Northwestern, CMU, Tufts, and Wesleyan

2

Not a hook. A hook is an institutional desire/need like a football player or big donor.

Your GPA does undercut your ACT score and you will be an outlier for most schools. Certainly look at the CUNY/SUNYs. With your income look at schools that meet full need and apply broadly so you have a chance. They’ll probably all be reaches but worth a shot.

3

Hi Catbug,

One thing I’d suggest is applying to a wide range of schools, because it will be hard to know which school you will appeal to with your GPA vs ACT range. My guess is that the ACT scores will carry more weight, but you never know. Also, schools that don’t report GPA’s prominently (on their websites, etc) are more likely to overlook this.

I think UVM (U Vermont) might be a good fit. I was really impressed with that school, and Burlington is a great college town.

And Virginia Tech? My daughters weren’t looking at engineering/CS schools so we didn’t tour this (although one of them ended up as a CS major, go figure), but I’ve heard only good things from people who have visited. It was also a school I liked a lot when I was looking many years ago.

Also, College of William and Mary. They pride themselves on an eclectic mix, and it’s a great school.

You’ll need to check out the CS program details. And, all schools should have an on-line financial aid calculator so you know what that looks like.

Ken

4

Northeastern would be a reach but likes test scores over GPA and has a very good CS program. Run the NPC there of course for affordability. While aid can vary and be a bit stingy sometimes, aid is guaranteed all years and financial aid increases at the same rate as any tuition increases.

5

Bryn Mawr, Smith, or Mount Holyoke might take a chance on you.

6

Reed may take a chance on you, too. Our CS program is just okay, though. It would get better by the time you would be here.

7

Agree with Bryn Mawr and Mount Holyoke. Maybe Denison, outside Columbus Ohio, which has strong CS and theater (building a new performing arts center which should be complete next year), and emphasizes socio-economic diversity.

Suggest you run the Net Price Calculator on a few of these smaller schools to see how much of their financial aid packages are pure grant and how much is expected to be loans.

With your comment about personal issues, how important is a supportive college community for your success? While larger schools may have more resources, some can have a culture which relies on the student to reach out, rather than others reaching in to the student.