College list help!

College Search & Selection
1

<p>Hey guys. I'm an international student and basically I want to know if this list comprises not only of schools that will meet my criteria (I've researched them thoroughly but due to my inability to visit them, you guys might provide more first-hand insight), but also if my list provides a good mix of reaches and matches (safeties are not so much a concern for me as I already have a place at a prestigious UK university).</p>

<ul>
<li>good economics department</li>
<li>suburban or rural location that offers outdoor opportunities, like kayaking and hiking</li>
<li>weather not so much of a problem</li>
<li>preferably close student-teacher interaction, at least once you begin to specialize</li>
<li>strong school spirit and pride</li>
<li>internship opportunities</li>
<li>balance between working hard and playing hard - I don't want a school where students study all day long</li>
<li>diverse student body, but most importantly a laid-back, liberal student body that is not concerned with their GPA (preferably friendly, quirky and outdoor loving)</li>
<li>well maintained facilities, preferably state-of-the-art recreation facilities, spacious dorms, and a good place for students to hang out</li>
<li>size of the student body preferably less than 7,000 students </li>
<li>merit scholarships to international students</li>
</ul>

<p>Stats:
GPA: 100/100 (I'm an international student)
Courses: University preparatory (5 A Levels Grade A)
Rank: 1/89
SATs: CR-650, M-730, W-630, Chemistry-770, Maths 2-750
ECs: Mediterranean M.U.N, military service, martial arts for 2 years
Awards: Highest international grade in IGCSE Mathematics, Honorary plagues from various local organizations for my academic performance</p>

<ol>
<li> Beloit College</li>
<li> Bowdoin College</li>
<li> Carleton College</li>
<li> Claremont McKenna College</li>
<li> Colgate University</li>
<li> Rice University</li>
<li> Stanford University</li>
<li> Trinity University</li>
<li> Tufts University</li>
<li>Vanderbilt University</li>
</ol>

<p>Considerations:
Should I get rid of Vanderbilt based on the dominance of its Greek life?
Should I get rid of Trinity University considering that I have chosen Beloit as my safety?
Should I consider Whitman College, Denison University, Willamette University?
Would including Brown and Yale in the list, be too much, as I already have highly selective colleges anyway?</p>

2

<p>

Bowdoin, Carleton, Colgate, Stanford, and Tufts do not offer merit scholarships.</p>

3

<p>Well right now I’m in the running for a Fulbright scholarship so I’m not too worried about that point, at the moment. If I’m not able to secure this scholarship then I will re-think this list. By the way, which colleges offer generous merit scholarships?</p>

4

<p>Dartmouth would fit almost everything on your list but it’s a big reach with current scores.</p>

<p>Better chance by a lot at the top schools if you’re not from a country they get many apps from. If you are, for merit aid you would need to add some much less competitive schools.</p>

5

<p>I don’t think US colleges get a lot of apps from my country (Cyprus) considering its small size and the fact that most students prefer Greece or the UK as the country of their choice.</p>