Hi everyone! I’m a high school junior and I’m trying to think of colleges that would be good matches for me. I’ve decided, after visiting, that I want to apply to Rice, Emory, and Duke. I really love it at all of these places and would be super happy to go there! However, I also want a back-up plan in case I do happen to get rejected from all three of these places that isn’t just the state university nearby. Can someone think of any good colleges that are strong matches for me and my scores, that are sort of similar to Rice, Emory, or Duke? I want someplace I would be happy at, even if I don’t get into these three. I plan on majoring in biology. Also, if anyone has any recommendations on what I can do to better my chances of getting into these three, I would greatly appreciate it!
SAT CR: 660 M: 780 W: 710
Haven’t taken ACT or Subject tests yet but plan on doing Biology and Math II. On the practice ACT at our school I got a 34.
Grades (out of 4.0)
Weighted so far: 4.139
Unweighted: 4.0
Class Rank: 4/331
Can anyone recommend colleges that would be a high match for me? Thank you!
Colorado. I qualify for some FA and I don’t think I will need significant merit aid, but money is not the biggest deciding factor in where I will go to college.
Okay so other schools of similar selectivity (that is, not safety or match type schools) that you could be interested in given your apparent preference for southern schools would be Vanderbilt, Wash U St Louis, Georgetown. Less selective schools could be Clemson, George Washington in DC? For sure Trinity University in Texas is an excellent safety as well as DU in your backyard. Perhaps University of Washington although not a southern school of course. Are you considering any smaller LACs?
Well I used to be interested in Tulane and Swarthmore before, if that helps any.I’m really banking on getting into at least one of the three between Emory, Duke, and Rice, but I just want some ideas for schools that I have an above average chance of getting into. The problem I have is I have no idea of colleges in this range for me, so I will consider any university. I just don’t want to be in a position where I have to settle for a school and be unhappy because I didn’t get into one of my big three. I am definitely considering all colleges that people recommend.
I don’t think ANYONE can count on getting into one of those three, frankly. You might want to work on coming up with a DESIRABLE list of match and safety schools. Good luck, those are nice scores, and there are a LOT of great schools out there that could be a good fit for you!
Also consider UVM in Burlington VT. Coming from CO you might be interested since it has an amazing location (Burlington) and is a terrific school. Definitely a match to safety with your academic stats (you’ll get in).
You have great stats but not good enough to be complacent. The schools you mentioned are tough to get in, but some suggestions from others are way below your ability.
University of Rochester, Case Western, Boston College, Bucknell and Holy Cross are ones to consider. I would also look at some northeastern LAC’s. You could have a nice advantage coming from Colorado. The smaller schools really like having at least one kid from every state. Hamilton, Colgate, Union, Colby, Bates, St. Lawrence. Some are tough to get into but you might have an edge.
As far as safeties go, probably best to stay in state. You should get into UC Boulder without breaking a sweat.
@WinterParents Thanks! I hadn’t even heard of most of the colleges you listed, but in looking at them they look like great schools! I will definitely look into all of them more!
@lr4550 Also thank you for your suggestions as well! You guys have given me a ton of colleges to think about!
Apply to colleges that are in the safety, target, and reach categories. Safety - schools (maybe in your state?) that you know you will get in; target - schools that you are aiming for and have a good chance, and reach - schools that you never know you will get accepted into.
And, after you create your whole list, look it over and ask yourself that if you only got into ONE college, and nothing else, would you be happy going to that school (look at the other factors too- financial) If there is any college that you are not willing to go, then you shouldn’t apply
Before a college makes it onto your list, run the Net Price Calculator and make sure it fits your parents’ budget. If you don’t know your parents’ budget for college, now is the time to have the talk. Don’t discount a college based on sticker price, but do discount a college that gaps you and which is unaffordable after running the NPC. (Only about 65 colleges “meet full need”, the 3,600 others do as they please.)
Also: A match for you would have a 30% admission rate (or higher). A safety would have a 50+% admission rate.
