which liberal arts colleges would be good fits?

shanicejm · July 8, 2010, 12:25am

AA student…Chance me please!!

<hr>

ok so im an average-plus black female student…

IB diploma candidate
GPA: 4.01 (weighted) 3.4 (unweighted)
SATI: 1880 (CR:690 M:610 W:580)
SATII: 680 lit, 670 bio, 580 math1
PSAT: 198
Rank: 25/280

EC’s:

<ol>
<li>Orchestra (9th-11th)
-Music Librarian</li>
<li>Jazz Band (10th)</li>
<li>Chamber String Orchestra (9th-11th)</li>
<li>Strolling Strings (9th-11th)</li>
<li>Oliver! Pit Orchestra (9th)</li>
<li>North Region String Ensemble (10th)</li>
<li>West Region Concert Band (2007)</li>
<li>Delta Sigma Theta Academy Community Outreach (2004-2006)</li>
<li>University of Pennsylvania Talent Search (2006-Present)</li>
<li>Benjamin Franklin Tercentennial Autobiography Project (2006-2007)
-School wide autobiography contest winner</li>
<li>All City Marching Band (2008-2009)</li>
<li>Adelphia Summer Arts Academy (2008-2009)</li>
<li>Girls’ High Science Fair (2009)</li>
<li>Spanish Honors Society (2009-Present)</li>
<li>Junior Class Executive Council (2009-2010)</li>
<li>Senior Class Prom Committee (2010-Present)
17.Senior Sponsor (2010-Present)</li>
<li>University Of Pennsylvania International Student Reception Organization (2009) and (2010)</li>
<li>International Baccalaureate Diploma Program (2009-Present)</li>
<li>Temple University Community Music Scholars Program (2008-2010)
a. Private Violin Lessons
b. Music Theory Lessons
c. String Orchestra</li>
</ol>

Awards:
Highest school wide PSAT score (2010)
Most Improved school wide PSAT score (2010)
Most Improved school wide PSAT score in Math (2010)
Excellence in IB English (2010)
Bailey-Williams Honorable Mention (2009)

paperplane · July 8, 2010, 3:57pm

Any area(s) of the country you like/don’t like? Rural vs city/suburb?
Budget concerns at all?
Any potential majors? Is music very important?

Oberlin comes to mind, but knowing more about what you want would help.

violadad · July 8, 2010, 4:15pm

While you are not specific if music as either an undergrad degree path or an avocational diversion is important, there are some links here that may be helpful if it is an important factor in selecting potential programs.

If you do intend on an undergrad music degree pursuit, spend time here [Music</a> Major - College Confidential](<a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/music-major/]Music”>Music Major - College Confidential Forums)

shanicejm · July 8, 2010, 7:31pm

music isn’t really going to be a main factor in choosing a college. I wouldn’t mind playing at the college level, but im more interested in business/politics.

1980collegegrad · July 8, 2010, 8:49pm

The Patriot League schools (Lehigh, Colgate, Holy Cross, Lafayette, Bucknell, etc)

shanicejm · July 8, 2010, 8:50pm

thank u 1980college grad…

country_day · July 8, 2010, 9:06pm

I’m assuming you are willing to go to any part of the country…

Claremont McKenna
Illinois Wesleyan
Colgate
Franklin and Marshall
Dickinson
Bucknell
Rhodes

mikemac · July 9, 2010, 3:49pm

Listing your stats is barely half of the puzzle. You haven’t given anyone a clue of what you want in a college. Location? Type of students it enrolls? Study abroad programs? Where students live? etc…

I suggest you read thru a book on college admissions this summer that discusses the concept of fit, how to find a school you like (not just one you can get into). Colleges aren’t all the same… One book I recommend is “Admission Matters”, there are many other good ones.

Erin_s_Dad · July 9, 2010, 4:33pm

What can your family afford? I assume you’re from PA?

shanicejm · July 9, 2010, 5:03pm

yeah im from pa…honestly we can’t afford much…but im hoping for significant scholarship funding

Geneseograd · July 9, 2010, 5:21pm

Public LAC SUNY Geneseo in NY

[SUNY</a> Geneseo | SUNY Geneseo](<a href=“http://www.geneseo.edu%5DSUNY”>http://www.geneseo.edu)

Kiplinger ranked it as #2 best value for OOS students for cost and academic quality.

shanicejm · July 9, 2010, 5:29pm

thanks a lot Geneseograd…the school looks great…i have to do some more research though

robinsuesanders · July 9, 2010, 5:32pm

Spend some time reading the Financial Aid forum too. There’s much useful advice and knowledge about both need-based financial aid and merit based financial aid there.

1980collegegrad · July 9, 2010, 6:39pm

[Need-blind</a> admission - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia](<a href=“http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Need-blind_admission]Need-blind”>Need-blind admission - Wikipedia)

paperplane · July 11, 2010, 1:53pm

Maybe American University? I’ve heard good things and being in DC could be good if you are interested in politics. I guess it is a little bigger than the average LAC, but it is not huge.

Also consider Kalamazoo College in Michigan. Great LAC and they offer some good financial aid. I’ve also heard good things about Allegheny, which is in Pennsylvania so might be easier for you as far as travel. College of Wooster in Ohio is another great LAC that offers good financial aid.

Also I recommend having your parents do the FAFSA calculator to see what your ‘estimated family contribution’ would be. This is only a guideline, but it will help you see what the schools you apply to will base their financial aid decisions on. Be aware that even if you have a low EFC, at many schools, large loans will be part of the financial aid package.

Erin_s_Dad · July 11, 2010, 8:30pm

Penn State, despite not being a LAC, would be a good choice. In-state and good business program. Not many LACs offer business. For LACs it tends to be Econ.

Erin_s_Dad · July 11, 2010, 8:32pm

Post problems. Double.

yabeyabe2 · July 12, 2010, 12:04am

You will get very good aid offers from the fine business programs at Muhlenberg and Susquehanna
Also take a look at Alleghenny, Lafayette, Bryn Mawr, Villanova and Bucknell.
And Penn is a possibility
Good luck

required_details · July 12, 2010, 8:22am

Wesleyan, Trinity, Connecticut, Holy Cross

M_s_Mom · July 12, 2010, 9:40am

Without knowing much about your interests, take a look at the midwestern LACs. They tend to offer good financial and merit aid. Your grades and test scores make Grinnell and Macalester a reach, especially for merit aid, but check out Hendrix, Beloit, St. Olaf’s, Rhodes and Lawrence.

which liberal arts colleges would be good fits?

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