I already have my college list narrowed down and am applying to the following schools: University of Alabama, Colgate, Duke, UIUC, Johns Hopkins, University of Kentucky, UMass Amherst, Ole Miss, Northwestern, UT Knoxville, Vanderbilt, WKU, and William & Mary. I’m a female with a 3.7/3.44 weighted/unweighted GPA (will be higher after this semester). I go to a unique high school which was ranked best in the country where we stay on a college campus and take college courses for the last two years of high school. My ACT is a 33 (retaking in October to get a 34). I want to major in biology and go on to complete a genetic counseling masters program. My dilemma is that due to poor performance last semester, I’ve pretty much screwed my chances of getting into the higher tier schools I’m applying to. What I don’t know is what would the best choice for me be between University of Kentucky, University of Alabama, UIUC, Ole Miss, UMass Amherst, and UT Knoxville.
Do you go to Gatton?
@massachusetts1 I would go with Penn, but I find it worrisome that you’re torn between THREE schools for ED. ED is BINDING. You need to bee 100% that this is where you want to go. Also…have you visited them??? Might want to do that too.
@massachusetts1 Also, these schools are very different. When it comes to ED, location SHOULD matter. Penn is urban, Cornell is VERY isolated. Also note that Cornell is typically known as the easiest ivy to get into and the hardest to get out of. It’s extremely rigorous with basically no grade inflation. I have a friend that goes there and early on in her time there, she got a brain injury and they were not very helpful when this happened in terms of being understanding about work load and stuff. Not bashing them or saying anything, but just keep in mind, from what I’ve heard, you may be working a little harder at Cornell. Be confident in your passion for a school if you’re applying ED.
@rolypolyoli look at smu if you like southern schools similar to vanderbilt. My sister is doing a similar track, had a similar unweighted gpa and act and got some good money from the school. Plus the reputation is higher than the state schools you listed.
@massachusetts1 Didn’t mean to come across as harsh. Just want you to be happy where you end up. Even though they’re all amazing schools, that would suck to be where you wouldn’t be happy. Just want to point out that location probably does matter and you should really get a feel of the vibes/campus/environment before committing to paying $60,000 if admitted
@massachusetts1, maybe it was an accident, butbyounhijavked donrone else’s thread here. Back to the OP – can you afford all the schools on your list? Out of state publics won’t give you any aid.
Academically, I’d go with UIUC of the schools you listed at the end of your post if you get in.
@ OP, your chances for admission to Colgate, Duke, Johns Hopkins,Northwestern, Vanderbilt, and William & Mary with your GPA are very slim. Your test score is great, but honestly unless you have absolutely amazing essays and stellar (and i mean stellar) ECs or if you are a recruited athlete, I have trouble believing you’ll gain admission to some of the top universities in the country.
I’m not saying don’t apply because you never know, but keep in mind that your chances are slim.
I’m not saying don’t apply because you never know, but keep in mind that your chances are slim.
@waymyheartworks Yes, actually.
@justliviglife I realize this. I applied to these school regardless because I don’t have a shot if I don’t. And thankfully, my GPA when I ended up submitting my applications was a 3.8 unweighted because of my bi-term courses, so my chance at higher tier schools is hopefully a bit less slim. But as I tried to communicate in my OP, I’m perfectly happy with going to a state school, and every one that I’ve applied to and heard back from has given me amazing merit based aid.