Where Should I Go?

College Search & Lists
1

<p>Okay, so I’m a Missouri student who has no idea where I want to go. I really wanted to go to Washington University in Saint Louis, but there is absolutely no way I would ever get accepted there, especially since they focus heavily on test scores.</p>

<p>I’m a senior, and I need a liberal college (I am transgendered, and I really want to go somewhere accepting) and one that either focuses on your GPA or that isn’t so picky about test scores. I want to dual major in Computer Science and Graphic Design, though I might end up minoring in graphic design, if it comes down to it.</p>

<p>My GPA is 3.86 unweighted (my school doesn’t weight their grades). I’ve held this consistently every year, though I’m trying to push myself to get a 4.0 this year. My class rank is 8 out of 163. The bad news is, I took my ACT during April of my junior year and I only received a 25, so I’m thinking, if I take it this year, the most I could possibly get is a 27 or a 28. I’m a horrible test taker.</p>

<p>For classes, I took:
4.5 Social Studies (Civics, World History, AP U.S. History, Sociology (One semester), Psychology (One semester), Criminal Justice (One semester))
4.5 Science (Physical Science, Biology, Earth Science, Principles of Genetics/Ethics and Issues of Genetics, Physiology and Anatomy (One semester))
5.5 Communication Arts (Honors Communication Arts I, Communication Arts II, Creative Writing (One semester), Science Fiction and Fantasy (One semester), Film as Literature (One semester), American Literature, AP Language and Composition)
4 Math (Algebra II, Geometry, Algebra 3/Statistics, College Algebra)
6 Art (Art I, Drawing and Painting, AP Studio Art (Two years), Photography, 3D Art (One Semester), and I’m going to be doing an independent study this year for Printmaking)
I’ve taken French all four years. French III and IV are dual credit courses, and I might be taking the AP exam this year if I can pluck up the courage.
And 3.5 credits of these random courses (PE, Family and Consumer Resource Management, Health (One Semester), Personal Finance (One semester), Web Design (One semester))</p>

<p>Oh, and I should mention that my senior courses are:
AP Portfolio
Principles of Genetics/Ethics and Issues of Genetics
Web Design/Physiology and Anatomy
AP Lang
French IV
College Algebra
American Literature
3D Art/Independent study for Printmaking</p>

<p>The odds of me failing any classes are insanely low, so I just automatically added them to the classes I’ve already taken.</p>

<p>For extracurricular activities, I have:
Three years of National Art Honor Society (And I might be president depending on how the election goes on October 6)
One year of National English Honor Society
One year of International Club
One year of Future Business Leaders of America
One year of Inclusion Club
Secretary of my class in my freshman year</p>

<p>And I don’t know if I was in any clubs other than those in my freshman and sophomore years. I have a pretty bad memory. Other than that, I’ve been on the honor roll and I’ve lettered for NAHS. And I’ve done a bit of charity work through NAHS and my art classes, but I don’t even know how I’d count those hours.</p>

<p>I’m looking for a decent sized college. I don’t want a super small one that will be clique-y, but I don’t want a massive one. Like I said, it must be fairly liberal, or at least moderate. I don’t want a Christian related school or anything. Also, my family is poor, so I’m probably eligible for a good amount of financial aid and my dad has transferred his GI Bill benefits to me, as well.</p>

<p>So, where should I go? Any advice? I’m okay with going out of state, but I’d rather not do it if it’s going to cost a ton.</p>

2

<p>* Also, my family is poor, so I’m probably eligible for a good amount of financial aid and my dad has transferred his GI Bill benefits to me, as well.</p>

<p>My GPA is 3.86 unweighted (my school doesn’t weight their grades). I’ve held this consistently every year, though I’m trying to push myself to get a 4.0 this year. My class rank is 8 out of 163. The bad news is, I took my ACT during April of my junior year and I only received a 25, so I’m thinking, if I take it this year, the most I could possibly get is a 27 or a 28. I’m a horrible test taker.</p>

<p>*</p>

<p>Comp Sci or graphics design major?</p>

<p>Do you know what your dad’s GI benefits will cover? That’s important, so find out if you aren’t sure. Will they cover 4 years of tuition at a state school? More? Less? </p>

<p>Since money is an issue and you don’t have high scores, your choices may be limited.</p>

<p>How is Missouri Rolla? </p>

<p>If your dad’s benefits will pay for 4 years of any state school, then you’ll have more choices. </p>

<p>Also, have your parents use an EFC calculator to see if you qualify for Pell Grants.</p>

3

<p>Schools to Consider:</p>

<p>Boston U
Macalester
UW Madison
Emerson
NYU</p>

4

<p>Computer Science will be my major, if I have to choose. I’d love to dual major, though.</p>

<p>I think my dad’s GI bill covers about 17,000 a year or so. But I also think that there are some schools that cover more than others. I’m pretty sure it won’t give me a full ride, though. But I am okay with taking out loans, if that means I can go to a good school.</p>

<p>Will my test scores really cripple me so much when everything else I have is fairly decent? I mean, I know I’m not the best out there, but I’m not horrible.</p>

<p>I don’t know what Missouri Rolla is, but I googled it and [this</a> school](<a href=“http://www.mst.edu/]this”>http://www.mst.edu/) popped up. Is that what you’re talking about? My mom mentioned that school, but it seems more suited for engineering students than computer science students.</p>

5

<p>NYU would be a great fit :)</p>

6

<p>To Seattle Bulldog:
Not sure about Boston U and NYU, they’re both really far away. But Macalester and UW Madison seem interesting. Are there any really positive or negative things about those two schools that you know about?</p>

<p>Emerson doesn’t have Computer Science or Graphic design, plus it seems to be a communication arts related school? Why did you list that school?</p>

7

<p>NYU would not likely be affordable.</p>

<p>Yes, that is Missouri - Rolla…I still call it by its old name. lol I’m sure that the school would be strong in Comp Sci…at many schools Comp Sci is in the engineering dept.</p>

<p>Try to find out more what the GI bill will cover and won’t cover. If it’s a flat $17k per year, then that won’t pay for the OOS tuition at many schools. </p>

<p>You can only borrow the following amounts</p>

<p>frosh 5500
soph 6500
jr 7500
sr 7500</p>

<p>So you can’t just borrow whatever the GI bill doesn’t cover if it’s a large amount. To borrow more than that requires qualified co-signers and since you say that your family is poor (or lowish income) they probably wouldn’t agree or qualify to co-sign. Besides, to borrow more than the federal Stafford loan limits is not a good idea.</p>

8

<p>Well, as far as the GI Bill, this is what the website states:
“Your full tuition & fees directly to the school for all public school in-state students. For those attending private or foreign schools tuition & fees are capped at $17,500 per academic year”</p>

<p>And, for out of state, they have a list of schools called Yellow Ribbon Schools, which can give even more money. Some schools give very little, and some give a ton. So, if I go to Avila or Devry or, by some miracle, Wash U, then they’ll pay me more money to cover the costs. </p>

<p>I also get a monthly allowance and a $1000 stipend for books and supplies.</p>

<p>But this is also without scholarship money, FAFSA, grants, and if I can get into a work-study program.</p>