Chances at Schools + Selecting Senior Courseload

College Search & Selection
1

<p>Sorry if this isn't in the right forum- feel free to move it!</p>

<p>I'm trying to plan out which colleges to visit (and apply to) over the summer, and since I just got my junior first semester grades I thought I'd better start now.</p>

<hr>

<p>Me:
Junior
White, Jewish Girl
Public High School in the South (VERY competitive- I think we are/were ranked 30-something among all public high schools)</p>

<p>Courses/Grades:
2 honors courses freshman year (4.3 weighted, 4.0 unweighted)
3 honors courses sophomore year (4.4 weighted, 4.0 unweighted)
2 AP and 3 honors courses junior year (5.0 weighted, 4.0 unweighted so far)
4 AP and 2 or 3 honors courses senior year, probably, but I can't predict what kind of grades I'll get. I don't think the A trend will continue, honestly (though I'll try to prove myself wrong!)</p>

<p>APs this year:
Environmental Science
Art History
(APs next year explained later)</p>

<p>Honors:
English I, II, III
Geometry, Algebra II, Advanced Precalculus (Regular Precalculus is honors also- more challenging course chosen)
Spanish III, IV</p>

<p>Extra-Curriculars:
-Literary Arts Magazine (9, 10, 11) (Asst. Art Editor 10, Chief Editor Elect, limited involvement 11 because not in class so could not be editor/major member)
-Treble Chorus Ensemble (10, 11, 12?)<em>(Treasurer 11) (Very selective women’s choral ensemble, 20 members, over 50 try out every year, only a few (5 or 6) accepted to join, mostly upperclassmen, sophomores/freshmen rare)
-NC Summer Institute in Choral Arts (Summers before 9, 10, 11)(Choral director recommendation required, week-long intensive choral workshop with 9 hours of singing a day, culminating in a concert)
-A'cappella (Middle School, alumni participation 9) (Co-founded)
-North Carolina Honors Chorus (nominated- only 11 nominated from my school, all schools can only nominate their best few singers; auditioned; accepted, over a thousand tried out/nominated, about 180 accepted, got in as soprano (harder/more competitive); passed screening process to check that music was known well; participated in concert and 2 days of strenuous rehearsals)
-Spanish Singers (11)(Sings songs in Spanish, anyone can join, performs at community events)
School Musical (12?)</em>
-Gourmet Cooking Classes (9, 10)
-Spanish Honors Society (11)(Active membership required, helped run Burrito Bar to raise money for Nicaraguan Sister School)
-International Online Tutoring (9, 10)(Through ESLCafe.com)
-Summer@Brown (Summer before 10)(Passed week-long college Philosophy course, submitted a final paper about identity theory in which an original argument was presented and disproved)
-Freshman Mentor (11, 12?)<em>(Weekly commitment to helping freshmen make a good transition to high school)
-Community Service: 120 hours so far, not including intl online tutoring
-Volunteering Project (Summer before 10)(A nonprofit organization that makes DVDs to sway political opinion left. I logged media clips)
-Shule (12?)</em>(Local Hebrew school, assistant teaching on weekends)
-Youth Council (11, 12?)<em>(Was nominated and then accepted after an application process with teacher recommendations, taking part in town government and organizing service projects)
-Took a trip to rural India for a few weeks teaching English to Tibetan refugees in the Himalaya
-Took a trip to Nicaragua for a week doing projects with kids in our sister school in San Ramon</em>
-Took a trip to rural Thailand for a few weeks working with Elephants*
<em>An asterisk means that future activites are mentioned and are not definite yet</em></p>

<p>I've also been invited to several (5 or 10) various student ambassador type things, but most have seemed like money scams so I didn't follow through. Some did seem like they were still an honor to be invited to, though, so I'll still include them.</p>

<p>Tests:
Only taken the SAT once, scored 2230 (710 CR, 730 M, 790 W). Will take again later junior year, once early senior year, hoping to raise CR score (or any score :P)
Sophomore PSAT: 201
Junior PSAT: 228 (will be at least National Merit Scholar Semifinalist, I'm assuming, because this is above the cutoff for any state)</p>

<p>My teacher recommendations should be good
If schools allow a supplementary recommendation (from adults other than teachers), this recommendation should be amazing</p>

<hr>

<p>So firstly I'm deciding where to visit/apply. I've researched extensively and pretty compulsively, and here's the list currently:
Vassar
Haverford (ED, I think)
Oberlin
Bates
Colby
Reed?
Grinnell
Kenyon
Williams? (REACH)
Brandeis?
Wesleyan? (REACH)</p>

<p>I have major legacy at Princeton, but I really don't want to apply there, even though many friends don't understand why not.
It's not my kind of school (snooty Ivy), and I think I'd put myself in a tough position if I didn't make my top choice and had to choose between Princeton and a safety... I wouldn't want to choose Princeton even if I didn't really want to go there.
I know it sounds weird.</p>

<p>I'm looking for a school that
-Takes its studies seriously but not itself too seriously
-Has a reasonably politically-active student body (not conservative)- I don't plan to go into politics but it interests me and is telling about the student body
-Has a Jewish student population (at least enough that they have a Rabbi or some kind of Jewish student organization)
-Is kind of quirky and fun somehow (this is kind of similar to not taking itself too seriously)
-Has a mildly decent arts/music program
-Has an honest, scrupulous student body that really genuinely cares about what it is learning and how it is going to help the world (these seems to be the most limiting factor in finding schools... No surprise I guess)
-Has study abroad opportunities
-Is diverse (in not just the obvious ways)
-Has an emphasis on community service or helping the world as the reason behind an education (not just to be more "successful")
-Is small (somewhere between 1500 and 5000 students is about right)
-Is not in a gross urban setting, and is hopefully actually pretty and green
-I admit it, I want a school some people have heard of whose sweatshirt I can proudly wear. I hate to say it- I'm usually not that superficial, I promise ;)</p>

<p>If you have doubts that any of the schools on my list qualifies, please say so! Or if you'd like to make an argument for another school, please do so!!</p>

<p>Also, of course, if you think my list is too adventurous/reaching (or if you think I could shoot higher) please say so too.</p>

<hr>

<p>Senior year, I'm thinking of taking
AP English Literature
AP Calculus BC
AP Spanish Literature
AP Spanish Language
Honors Bio II
Honors Contemporary World History
Treble Choral Ensemble OR (if I get in) Honors Grand Ensemble (co-ed and therefore more selective)</p>

<p>I've heard that it's important to take physics if you're applying to a top school, but science is not something I intend to pursue in college (although you never know- I'm still relatively undecided about what to do other than something vaguely social sciences/humanities ish).
I also think it's dishonest to myself and to colleges to take something like that if it's not something I'm genuinely interested in...
If necessary though, I'll replace Bio II and History with AP Physics and AP Physics Lab. And I'd make my AP English into Honors English, I think, because 5 APs might be too much...
Do you think I should take physics still?</p>

<p>Any other schedule advice?</p>

<hr>

<p>Sorry this post is HUGE!
Thanks so much to anyone who takes the time to read and respond!!</p>

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<p>Your stats are outstanding, but these schools are all still matches. You don’t have a true safety. You should consider something down in the 50-75 range (maybe higher for LACs) in the US News ranking just to have a safety on the list.</p>

<p>Most colleges require two years of science, with at least one year of physical science with a lab. I would read the requirements carefully. You don’t mention whether you have taken ANY Chemistry or Physics, even just regular or honors. If this is the case, then you will need one of them in addition to E Sci and Bio. AP Physics isn’t necessary, but some physical science course is.</p>

3

<p>I think your stats are looking pretty good so far. Congratulations! Your hard work shows. :)</p>

<p>Now, first of all, I’d recommend narrowing down your list of extra-curriculars. Colleges want to see your truest passions; a huge laundry list of ECs isn’t going to show them who you really are. Focus on the ones that mean the most to you (maybe 4 or 5 - not 20!), and find ways to truly highlight your involvement in them and show why they’re so important to you. </p>

<p>And yes, at a highly competitive school, I think 5 APs would be too many. Your senior courseload looks impressive as it is. Any more stress could potentially make you sick. As long as you’ve had a physical science class at some point (such as chemistry), you don’t need a physics class. </p>

<p>As for your college list, I think it’s definitely a good start. I’d recommend looking at Rice though; it’s a little bit different from the schools on your list, but I somehow think you’d really like it. It’s intelligent and quirky, but still really fun and laid-back, and boasts a gorgeous campus.</p>

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<p>ALSO - I agree that you need at least one solid safety. How about Elon? They have a really strong study abroad program, a kind of artsy vibe, an intelligent student body, and a gorgeous campus. Pretty moderate-liberal for a southern school, too.</p>

5

<p>Thanks for all the encouraging responses! Everyone on here’s stats are so intimidating and I was just hoping I wouldn’t have all “your ___s are really going to hold you back”-type responses.</p>

<p>I will have taken all the required sciences (Bio, Chem, Environmental) for my school by the end of this year, so that’s not a problem.</p>

<p>Okay, no physics for me then, thanks. :)</p>

<p>I’m passionate about all of my ECs- it’s dishonest and a waste of time to work hard doing something you don’t care about.
I might smoosh a few ECs together though (“Chorus” can encompass many individual things, “Spanish” can as well).
Which things stand out as things I should definitely keep or things I should probably not mention?</p>

<p>I don’t know much about Elon- all the NC schools kind of run together for me- so I’ll check it out.
**Edit: Just looked at Elon and it’s affiliated with the United Church of Christ, so it looks like it’s not the best match.</p>

<p>How about Bard as a safety?</p>

<p>I don’t know a ton about Rice, but the fact that it is in Houston has deferred me in the past… I’ll look though.</p>

<p>THANKS!
(More responses still welcome)</p>

6

<p>I understand that you feel passionate about all of your ECs, but if you can narrow it down to 5 favorites, that really would be good. Stringing some of them together would be fine (such as grouping all the choirs together, grouping the volunteer activities together, and grouping the Spanish-related things together), then maybe also hit on your Literary Magazine and cooking classes. Structuring it like this would encompass almost all of your activities, just in a more reduced format. </p>

<p>I would avoid talking about travel experiences as ECs though, as it can come across as cliched. </p>

<p>Bard could be a good option. As for Rice, the location actually isn’t bad at all - it’s a really lush, green campus, and it’s right by the zoo.</p>

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<p>Okay. I knew that making your essay about travel experiences was cliched, but I didn’t realize this extended to include even mentioning them in your EC list. I guess I’ll leave them out, then.</p>

<p>And great, I’ll go for the grouping then. I can see how a huge list would be off-puttingly (?) overwhelming.</p>

<p>Okay, I’ll look into Rice. I actually know some people over there… I’ll just have to get rid of my Texas stigma.</p>

<p>Thanks so much, again!!</p>

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<p>Would including the trips in the community service category still be cliche?</p>

9

<p>I would keep all the AP classes except for Spanish Lang. Add AP physics and the lab, and drop Bio II. That would look the most balanced to me, so you’d end up with.
AP English
AP Spanish Lit.
AP Calc. BC
AP Phys.
AP Phys. Lab
Honors World History
Ensemble
This way you have an English, Math, Science, History, Foreign Lang., and art.</p>

10

<p>

Most applications don’t ask you to elaborate on your ECs, but if you want to send in a resume giving specific details of the different things you’ve done, that could work well.</p>

11

<p>5 APs would be a bit much…</p>

<p>Plus I don’t think I’d trade in a class I’d love for a class I’m really not too into taking.</p>

12

<p>Vassar
Haverford (ED, I think) -laid back?! diverse?! maybe you should reconsider that as your early decision school
Oberlin -about as far from harvard as you can get! look into Macalester or Carleton if you like this sort of atmosphere
Bates -look into Bowdoin, quite similar
Colby
Reed - very smart kids who do more with their time than just study. Have you considered UChicago?
Grinnell -REALLY rural, make sure that you’re okay with that
Kenyon -awesome writing program, and great academics </p>

<p>Given the diversity in your college choices, I would rethink applying early decision to Harvard. It has a “name”, but from what you listed I wouldn’t think that would be your top choice. Make sure you’re picking what you want, not someone else wants.</p>

<p>I don’t know why you think Harvard kids are not snobby and Princeton’s are. Not going to get into that… but that just seems odd to me, they’re very similar.</p>

<p>Consider adding Stanford or Whitman if you like the West coast. </p>

<p>I’d add a rolling school (state?) to your list as a safety so that you can have the security of knowing that you’re in somewhere before April. I applied to a match school early action (colorado college) as well as a rolling school (University of Pittsburgh) and am much more relaxed now because I know that I’m in 2 schools.</p>

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<p>And about your course selection… </p>

<p>5 APs is not a lot comparatively and if you seriously want to go to an Ivy League school, I would seriously consider it. I’m at a VERY competitive high school, taking 6 AP courses. It’s hard, but I can deal with it. I know a few people taking 7 APs and none of my friends are in less than 5 APs. I wouldn’t recommend taking Spanish lit and lang… that’s really repetitive (take lit, so much more fun!)</p>

<p>I liked Jsmalls idea of:
AP English
AP Spanish Lit.
AP Calc. BC
AP Phys.
AP Phys. Lab
Honors World History
Ensemble </p>

<p>Although at my school AP biology is a heck of a lot easier than AP physics so if you’re not very science-oriented, it would be a better choice OR take an AP history.</p>

14

<p>WorldChanger- do you think that’d be a good idea?</p>

<p>I wouldn’t want to do that if my ECs weren’t actually that impressive… Send in a whole separate letter making it look like I had something amazing coming, when I didn’t really.</p>

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<p>Curryspice-
I knew one girl who took 5, and it was really tough for her.
3 is average at my school, those who are looking into tougher schools take 4.</p>

<p>I think it varies by the school - I know lots of kids from my school who have gone on to the ivies taking 4 APs as a senior.</p>

<p>If I do do that schedule (which I may), I’d change AP English to Honors English.</p>

<p>I never said I wanted a laid-back school- I want a serious, intense school that just has a quirky, fun angle to it (like Reed).</p>

<p>I definitely do NOT want to go to any of the ivies.</p>

<p>I’m not very science-oriented, but I like math (which physics involves) so if I took a two-period AP science I think I’d go for physics over biology.</p>

<p>I like Macalester and Carleton, but they’re lacking in the Jew department ;)</p>

<p>Harvard? What? You mean Haverford?
It’s a small Quaker school, that seems like it would lend itself to unsnobbiness.</p>

<p>Haverford is what I want- my parents want Princeton.</p>

<p>I do like the West Coast (I’m from Seattle, born in LA), but I’d like to stay at least a little bit close to home. And I don’t think I’d get into Stanford (but I’m happy you think I’d have any chance there!)</p>

16

<p>I honestly think Binghamton would be a great safety for you. Its got all you want in a school and Its a great value. Only downside is that while its one of the best public universities in the northeast it is still somewhat unknown throughout other regions of the country. Look into it…I might go there next year myself :)</p>

17

<p>Also, Curry, I like your idea of applying to a school with rolling admissions, but are state schools the only ones with that option?</p>

18

<p>Binghamton looks too huge for me, but thanks for the thought!</p>

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<p>State schools are not the only schools with rolling admit, but are usually the most prestigious ones (and cheap!) with rolling admit. I know Temple has it, but not sure where else. What state are you in?</p>

<p>In response to my previous post… flying pig PMed me and I misread Haverford as Harvard. Oops! Haverford is wonderful. I live near there and it’s got a great reputation (would be applying there if not for the fact that it IS so close).</p>

<p>Have you looked at Swarthmore?</p>

<p>I’m so happy to find another smart student who’s NOT obsessed with the Ivy League. My scores would be very competitive at HYP, but I simply don’t want the atmosphere there. Beware with the smaller schools though when talking to relatives. I got in EA to Colorado College and my teachers and family were ecstatic, but I got so many “huh?” looks from all the relatives. The best was from my aunt though “…but I thought you were smart?”. <em>shakes head</em>.</p>

20

<p>I’m in NC</p>

<p>State schools aren’t really my taste (I guess that’s clear by my first post, though), but if it’s just a safety I guess it doesn’t matter TOO much.</p>

<p>I don’t think I could get into Swarthmore (this thread is doing so much for my confidence! I’m so glad). My uncle went there and thought it was too intense (and my uncle has a high tolerance for intense- he wanted a challenging, intense school, but it was too much for even him) and dropped out to become a musician.
I want my college experience to be challenging, but not so overwhelming that I can’t appreciate it…</p>

<p>I like everything else about it though- I’ll look further.</p>