Chances for small East, West and CO LACS and others

Chance Me / Match Me!
1

<p>Hi! I will be a senior next year and will be applying to a variety of colleges. I don’t have a specific major in mind yet, so I am applying to schools with all-around good programs and liberal arts schools. Trying to figure out my chances for getting into some of these schools- specifically the East Coast LACs, I know they are very selective and I’m not sure if I’m competitive or not. Any other suggestions for colleges that might fit me would be helpful! I’m looking for academically challenging schools… however I admit proximity to ski areas is probably too great a factor in my college choice process ;) </p>

<p>Colorado College (top choice)
Whitman College
Lewis and Clark
University of Colorado, Boulder
University of Washington- honors program?
University of Montana- honors program?
Middlebury
Bowdoin
Williams
Hamilton
maybe Dartmouth…
I will also be applying for the Boettcher scholarship (full ride to any school in CO for in-state students) so if anyone knows anything about that it would be helpful</p>

<p>White female
Rural Colorado high school</p>

<p>Unweighted GPA: 4.0
school doesn’t do weighted
Class Rank: 1/ 208</p>

<p>ACT Composite: 35
English- 36
Math- 33
Reading- 35
Science- 36
^ From the mandatory test given by the state. I probably need to take the Writing, so will likely be retaking in the fall :/ I will probably not take the SAT.</p>

<p>AP’s (junior year)- AP Chem, AP English Lit, AP Calc AB
Senior year- AP Physics C, AP Calc BC, AP Spanish Lang. College level/ dual credit English Comp.</p>

<p>Extracurriculars
Ski Patrol- I am a young adult volunteer ski patroller at the local mountain, certified to the standards of any other patroller in the National Ski Patrol. I do 10-hour workdays every Sunday in the winter. Spent sophomore ski season training for Ski and Toboggan test. Fall of junior year, I took and passed Outdoor Emergency Care (intensive first responder course similar to an EMT course).
-School newspaper staff since sophomore year. Editor senior year. I have recieved 2 state awards for different articles
-Varsity cross country, all four years
-Piano (practice ~1 hour per day), all classical music
-PALS volunteering- for 1 year spend 2-3 hrs per week with a kid you are matched with and be a role model for them
-Key Club- sophomore rep, junior treasurer. Senior year I will be vice president.
-Climbing Club
-various other things like training for half-marathon in spring of junior year, and skiing, kayaking, hiking, mountain biking and climbing. That’s just for fun though, idk if college admissions care anything for that.
Summer Activity
-Earthbeat (kids singing camp) senior staff for 2 weeks during each summer
-NOLS Wind River Wilderness course summer after sophomore year (1 month backpacking)
-Aspen Music Festival PALS program, lessons with Aspen Music Festival students and free tickets full scholarship- 2 summers
-go-fer for 1 week for Aspen Center for Physics (paid)
-trail work
-I’m bussing tables at a restaurant this summer
-Babysitting? </p>

2

<p>You’ve got great grades, test scores, class rank and ECs; and your colleges list seems balanced with reaches, matches and safeties. I think you have a good shot at any one of the schools on your list. Good luck!</p>

3

<p>I’d say you will be accepted to all except Williams and Dartmouth (reaches but not impossible). The question is what can you afford. Have you run the net price calculators for each? You can’t count on the scholarship (gravy if you get it, but you have to plan assuming you won’t get it).</p>

4

<p>Thank you @bopambo and @intparent ! I have not done the net price calculators. How do you get do those? I am planning on applying for merit scholarships for the schools that offer them, and also local merit scholarships. I know that I can afford CU Boulder at least, because of in-state tuition. </p>

5

<p>When you go to each school’s website, go to the financial aid webpage. There should be a link to a net price calculator for each school. You will need help from your parents to fill them out. Also, if your parents are divorced, own a small business, or have rental real estate, the calculators will probably overestimate the need based aid you would receive.</p>

<p>The financial aid webpages should also have links to their information about merit aid. Some colleges do not require any special application, but consider all applicants. Some have an earlier application deadline for students who want to be considered. Many state schools give very few merit scholarships (and minimal need based aid) to out of state students. Local merit scholarships tend to be small and for only one year. The bulk of merit money comes through the college themselves. </p>

6

<p>Thank you very much @intparent. Very helpful. </p>