What colleges are fit my criteria?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion centers around selecting colleges suitable for an applicant with a strong interest in physics, while considering academic performance and geographical preferences. Participants explore various college options near Philadelphia, as well as factors influencing college choice, such as size and cost.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Debate/contested
  • Homework-related

Main Points Raised

  • One participant suggests that the SAT score may be a weakness compared to the GPA and recommends test preparation for potential improvement.
  • Another participant questions the significance of a 3.75 GPA in the context of current grading practices, noting that some schools may offer weighted GPAs above 4.0.
  • Several questions are posed to the original poster to gather more information about their preferences, including college size and commitment to physics.
  • The original poster expresses certainty about pursuing physics but also mentions an interest in keeping options open for a career as a funeral director.
  • A participant unfamiliar with the Philadelphia area suggests additional colleges, including Drexel, Haverford, and Rutgers, as options not previously mentioned.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants do not reach a consensus on specific college recommendations, and various viewpoints regarding the importance of SAT scores and GPA are presented. The discussion remains unresolved regarding the best college fit for the original poster.

Contextual Notes

Limitations include the original poster's uncertainty about their performance on the SAT and the implications of their GPA in the current educational landscape. The discussion also reflects varying levels of familiarity with the Philadelphia area among participants.

glennpagano44
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I am looking at colleges right now and I was wondering what other colleges you would suggest. I am looking for a college with a strong undergrad physics program. I got a 1100/1600 (1480/2400) on my SAT's, 3.74/4.0 GPA. I am looking for colleges close to the philadelphia area, but not in the city. So far I have picked out Penn State, Widener, Villanova and Bloomsburg. What colleges do you suggest that fit my needs and are in my academic achivement range?
 
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So first, the SAT score is a bit of a weakness compared to the good GPA. If you have the opportunity, work through a test-prep book and try taking it again. There's a good chance you'll get a much better score the next time around, just because you'll be used to the test situation. Also, apparently many high schools are now giving out scores higher than 4.0 for some classes (?), so I'm not exactly sure how far a 3.75 goes these days. Perhaps someone more in-tune with current happenings will know.

As for colleges, we will have an easier time giving advice if you can provide more information. Here are a few key questions that would help narrow the field:
Do you prefer a big or small college?
How intent are you on doing physics?
Is cost an issue?
 
maze said:
So first, the SAT score is a bit of a weakness compared to the good GPA. If you have the opportunity, work through a test-prep book and try taking it again. There's a good chance you'll get a much better score the next time around, just because you'll be used to the test situation. Also, apparently many high schools are now giving out scores higher than 4.0 for some classes (?), so I'm not exactly sure how far a 3.75 goes these days. Perhaps someone more in-tune with current happenings will know.

As for colleges, we will have an easier time giving advice if you can provide more information. Here are a few key questions that would help narrow the field:
Do you prefer a big or small college?
How intent are you on doing physics?
Is cost an issue?

Do you prefer a big or small college? It doesn't really matter to me, I can adapt easily.
How intent are you on doing physics? I am sure that I want to do physics.
Is cost an issue? No cost is not an issue.

This is second time I took the SATs and I took a class to better my first score which I did. I just don't know why I am doing so bad. That 3.75 is out of 4.0 like before but my weighted GPA is 4.4.

Thanks
 
Now that I think of it I am not 100% intent on physics because I want to leave my options open in becoming a funeral director
 
I'm not that familiar with the philadelphia area, but here are a few you didn't mention that might be worth looking into:
Drexel
Haverford
Rutgers
 

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