Can you guys recommend some schools for me? Where Should I ED?

College Search & Selection
1

Hi Everyone!

I know this is a bit late in the process but I was wondering if you guys can look over my stats and give me some schools that are Reaches, at my level, and safety.
And Most importantly where should I apply ED to? Somewhere not too safe but not too risky.

I am an Asian Male from Maryland.
32 - the ACT (32 English 33 Math 33 Reading 28 science)
3.6 GPA ( My school doesn’t weigh GPA)
4 - AP English
710 - US History
700 - Math level 1
150 hours - community service
Founded Operation Smile ( a charity organization) at my school sophomore year and I’ve raised a lot of money for it.
I give tours at least once a week and this year I am the Admission’s department’s head tour guide this year.
Interned as a software engineer at a 3D software company this summer.
I am also a Tri Varsity Athlete.

I go to a very competitive boarding school and the acceptance rate is around 20% I think.
My senior classes are all the hardest classes I could take at my school. My school also doesn’t offer any AP classes instead they’re just advanced college level courses that are hard but does not prepare us for the AP at all.

I am also a big swimmer. The Middlebury and Bowdoin Coaches have verbally offered to “recruit” me through the admissions process. However my biggest problem is that I don’t know if I really want to go to such a secluded campus although I have to say both are both great academic institutions with extremely beautiful campuses!
Also, Not being able to swim in college is certainly not a deal breaker for me.
I think my teacher recommendations are good.
I am really interested in studying business but it’s certainly not a deal breaker for me.
Geographically I have restrictions except it has to be somewhere in the United States.

I know this is shallow but name recognition does matter to me.
I also want to be a consultant in the future after I graduate. So which schools do all the biggest consulting firms recruit from and what majors are the best to prepare me for consulting?

Thanks in advance and let me know what you think!

2

You should ED to a school that is affordable, your ultimate 1st choice and you are willing to attend no matter what. Since you have no schools on you list, I will assume you should not ED anywhere. ED is binding so make sure you really know what that entails.

3

Thank you and yes I understand what ED Entails. I do have a list of schools I am applying to but I am just wondering what people would suggest for my ED looking at my stats ad getting to know me a bit.

4

If you are at a “very competitive boarding school”, then the college counselors there should be able to suggest colleges for you based on the admissions outcomes of other students from your school who’ve had similar stats. I’m surprised that you don’t already have a list of schools under consideration, based on conversations with your counselor.

Agree with Gumbymom that you shouldn’t be applying ED.

5

No one can tell you where to ED, as it is based on the school you really, really want to attend the most. And how could we tell you that?

6

Since you are at a private boarding school, it means you have access to a college counselor who is being paid big bucks by someone to provide this kind of advice, knowing you, your school, and your existing college list. They are in a much better position to advise you, so you should probably ask them. If you want to double check the response by posting your list of schools and the one you are EDing at, we can offer advice, but you already have all the resources you need to make a decision.