what do you think of my options for college?

Parents Forum
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<p>hey guys i just completed my junior year at very competitive public high school in New Jersey and im not going to lie im not a genius… My stats arent that great with a 2.8-2.9 GPA in regular CP classes. I like to think i overcame alot though in my high school career though, considering at the end of 8th grade all of my class suggestion levels were for classes two levels below the CP level but my parents and I signed the wavier to move me up to the CP level and i have responded pretty darn good i think considering many people didnt even think i could pass let alone get all B’s and sometimes higher.My SAT scores were worse than i would have liked ( Verbal 530/Math 440/ Writing 450) but im taking them again in October and should do better because im going to take a class and i got approved for 50% extra time on October SAT’s which will help me greatly with Math. Anyway i have pretty good outside school activities and would just like to see what you guys think of my chances of getting into some schools…thanks</p>

<p>Here they are:

  1. University of Florida (dream school but huge reach, but i am considering releasing my IEP/learning disability documents to the school because they just opend a new student with learning disability facility on campus and my guidance counsler thought it could help…oh btw i would apply for summer session which could help some too i hear along with early admission)</p>

<p>2)University of Arizona- supposedly most kids who have a b average and around a 1000 on SAT’s get in from the east coast but im not sure</p>

<p>3)University of Tampa- I think im all but in with my sister being a senior there next year and my brother an incoming freshman.</p>

<p>4)San Diego State University</p>

<p>5)University of San Diego-might be a reach not really sure though</p>

<p>6)Arizona State University</p>

<p>7)Barry University</p>

<p>8)Florida Gulf Coast University</p>

<p>i have already posted this under the what are my chances thread but someone suggested me to post it on here to see the parents opinions on it,any advice,comments,or anything else would be greatly appreciated,thank you.</p>

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<p>Gator Bait-</p>

<p>My primary reason for posting here is to applaud you, loud and clear. Your will to succeed speaks so loudly and clearly in your post that I am sure you will be an asset at whichever college you choose to attend.</p>

<p>I can’t say that I have specific knowledge of any of the schools on your list. But I can tell you that my step-grandson had a hs profile not unlike yours, with SATs just under 1000 (old SAT), like yours. He wanted to go to U New Hampshire or U Maine. He was no shoo-in for either (I thought), but was accepted to both. He went to UNH, his first choice, and just completed his freshman year with a 3.5GPA in Engineering. His will to succeed came through in his essays, and I know that yours will as well. </p>

<p>Since I don’t know many of your chosen schools personally, I have used USN&WR Premium online edition data to “guesstimate” your chances. </p>

<p>Based solely on stats (hs GPA/SATs) and not knowing how to evaluate the out-of-state factor for the public schools, I would classify the schools as follows:
Reach-U Florida, U San Diego
Reachy match-U of Arizona, San Diego State
Match-U Tampa, Florida Gulf Coast
Safe/match-Arizona State
Safe-Barry </p>

<p>But I think and hope that your admissions success will not be based solely on stats. A kid who successfully appealed lower than CP placements and came through with a near B (I guess you have a B-) average in CP classes is a winner in my book. Make sure your applications show your determination in the same way your post here does. Select the teachers for your recommendations carefully. Come here, or to someone you trust IRL, for review and comment on your essays. </p>

<p>If any of the schools on your list have rolling admissions or non-binding Early Action, go for that. An early acceptance can provide some nice insurance and relaxation in a stressful process.</p>

<p>Do some checking to see whether being out-of-state will help or hurt you with the public U’s on your list. If it is a disadvantage, you may need to add another real safety or two to your list. I hope others here might have specific suggestions for you.</p>

<p>Any help I can give, any time, PM me.</p>

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<p>jmmom, thank you very much for taking the time to help me out here, i really appreciate all the support.As for the Reaches/Matches/Safties you gave me it is pretty much what i expected and as for applying early action,i plan on applying to the University of Florida Early Action because it is my dream school and i would go hands down no question about it if i got in.And although i think im pretty much all but in at the University of Tampa because of my brother(freshman) and sister(senior) currently attending with my mom and dad paying full tuition i still plan on applying to a saftey called Lynn University in Boca Raton,Florida. Thanks again for all the support and advice i really appreciate it.</p>

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<p>jmmom, you are something special. ;)</p>

<p>Gatorbait, take the lady at her word. We did and have never regretted it.</p>

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<p>I dont have a ld but i have adhd and my grades r fairly similar to urs b/c of a horrible freshman yr at a really good public school i switched my but out of it into a small alternative to the alternative school and im slowly doing better and better…my Thank u 4 the UF info that came in handy</p>

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<p>im pretty sure you need an LD though for admission into the program even if you have ADD/ADHD</p>