Thank you so much for reading this; I know there are a million requests out there, I really appreciate the help.
I’m a white, female senior from suburban Massachusetts, and I have an ok list of schools so far - UMASS Amherst, University of Vermont, Connecticut College, Dartmouth College, and Brown University. But I feel like they’re all either safety or reach - no solid match schools. Yes, I’m applying to two Ivies - Brown is my dream school and my grandfather is a Dartmouth alum, so he really wants me to apply. I know it’s unlikely I’ll get into either.
MONEY
My parents and I can afford about $25-$30,000. Any more and I would have to take out loans, but it is possible. I don’t know about need, but my brother was denied federal aid to attend UMASS Amherst last year.
ADMISSIONS CRITERIA
I took the SAT once last year - 2140 (610 math, 740 CR, 790 Writing). I took it again today, so hopefully math is improved.
Subject Tests: 770 Literature, 650 Math 1, 670 Spanish
Unweighted GPA: 3.72 ------- My school doesn’t submit class rank unless it would specifically prevent you from getting in (i.e. an honors college that accepts the top 10% of high school classes), but \ the highest GPA in the class (41 students) is a 3.7, and they will apparently send this information to colleges as well. I know of one other student within the 3.70-3.79 range.
I have taken the most advanced classes offered to me, but my school has very little tracking. Only leveled courses I’ve done are “AP” Bio, Calc, Stat (I’m taking them now). Not legally AP certified because that costs money my school doesn’t have.
Activities: Robotics Team, Church Youth Group, NHS, Pottery Classes, German Club, Yearbook Club (founding member), GSA, Service Trip to WV, preschool teacher at my church, volunteering at a local farm with mentally disabled adults, misc. volunteering
Awards: St Michael’s College Book Award, National Spanish Exam (2 silver, 1 honorable mention), Geothe Institut German Language Exam - top possible score both times I took it (level A1 and A2)
Currently doing an internship in the marketing department of a nonprofit benefiting whales and dolphins
PREFERENCES
I want to go to a medium-sized school preferably in New England. Ideally it would be in or near a small city, but with an outdoorsy feel, lots of green space, and a cohesive campus. I really want to study abroad, so that is very important to me. I would also like to see an internship or job-placement program. I want to attend small, discussion-based classes and have an actual relationship with my professors. A strong advising program would be great too. It’d be nice to see students engaged in service to the community. I’m not all that interested in parties or Greek life. I want to live on campus at least for freshman year, probably longer. I’m a pretty liberal person, and although I wouldn’t mind exposing myself to other viewpoints, I don’t want to go to a very conservative school. No religious affiliation is preferred, but not necessary. All that said, I’m not sure I want to live in a perfectly manicured bubble for four years with a bunch of rich white suburban kids. I guess I would prefer something more quirky and unique with more exposure to the community.
Obviously I won’t get all of that plus an affordable price tag in a school, but that will hopefully give you an idea of who I am and what kind of atmosphere would be ideal for a school.
For majors, I’m not sure what I want to do , I’m interested in a lot of different things, but some of the areas I’m interested in right now are Linguistics (could be a variation on this field), Environmental Science, and Anthropology. Given these majors, I would probably want to go to a school with a diverse array of programs so I have lots of options.
Okay that was long - again , thank you so much if you took the time to read all that. Please post the names of any schools that come to mind - I’m not too picky about specifics in a school, so just suggest it and I’ll look into it. You’re the best! 