<p>Hey guys, this is my college list for now, and I was wondering if it is simply too long. I'm applying to 13 American schools (most of which are reaches) and 2 British schools.</p>
<p>Early:
University of Chicago (EA)
Georgetown University (EA) </p>
<p>Regular:
UT Austin (my single safety)
Carnegie-Mellon
Northwestern
Brown
Dartmouth
Princeton
NYU
Johns Hopkins
Cornell
UPenn
Stanford</p>
<p>Are you in-state for Texas and in the top 10% of your school? I hope so to call UTA your safety.</p>
<p>Yes I am. Should I attempt to narrow down my list? (I had about 20 schools and have narrowed them down to this much so far)</p>
<p>What British schools are you applying to?</p>
<p>You have one safety and a bunch of reaches. I don’t see much in the way of matches…</p>
<p>Narrow your list. I am also applying to a total of 20 schools. However, I have a wide variety of safeties, matches, and reaches that all meet my needs. IMO, it appears that you are trying to find prestigious schools and then trying to make them fit your needs.</p>
<p>Add at least 2 matches. Then sort through your list: what schools do you sincerely want to attend? Remember you may be taking a spot away from somebody who was borderline and that was their dream school</p>
<p>I can’t be sure since I don’t know your stats, but you ought to have a couple more matches (assuming NYU is a match for you, everything else is in reach territory)</p>
<p>What are the two British schools you are applying to?</p>
<p>I think you should really have more than one safety</p>
<p>Have you really thought about why you like each schools you listed? There are some obvious outliers on the list - Dartmouth and, to a lesser extent, Cornell, on an otherwise very urban list is an example. Do you have good reasons for wanting to apply to each school on your list currently (“it’s a good school” doesn’t count; they’re all good schools)?</p>
<p>Thank you everyone for the responses and advice.
I realize that the vast majority of the schools on this list are reaches for me. However, I am attracted to each on of them in different ways. I am still looking at ways to reduce this list.</p>
<p>teenage_cliche: It’s true that many of the colleges on this list are in very different environments. However, it is also true that I thoroughly enjoy both urban and rural environments (each has its own appeal). Its like how just because I like steak doesn’t mean I automatically dislike fish. In fact, I like them both quite alot. I do tend to prefer rural environments (especially ones that have a strong connection to nature), like Dartmouth and Cornell. However, I’ve lived in cities all my life, and I truly do appreciate the sense of excitement that can be experienced when living in a city.</p>
<p>Here are very brief summaries of my reasons for selecting each college:</p>
<p>University of Chicago (EA): The sense of quirkiness and genuine curiosity for intellect is what initially attracted me to this college. UChicago is not known for its pursuit of prestige, but for its raw devotion to academics and intellectual curiosity (which is really appealing to me). </p>
<p>Georgetown University (EA): I fell in love with this school after I attended a summer program for International Relations. I would love to have a chance to study in the Walsh SFS under professors like Anthony Arend. My passion is in political science and international relations, and Georgetown (if I were lucky enough to be accepted) would be an undeniably fantastic place for me to pursue such passions.</p>
<p>Regular:
UT Austin (my single safety): I’ve lived in the shadow of UT for 9 years as a resident of Texas. In that time, I’ve grown to become attached to and hold pride for this college. Although it isn’t my top choice, I’m proud to have it as my safety. That’s also why there’s so few colleges between this and my upper reaches that I’d like to attend.</p>
<p>Carnegie-Mellon: One of the main appeals for me that CMU has is the “global politics” major. This seems to be a very unique major (none of the other schools that I’m considering has this) that combines my two biggest passions: domestic politics and diplomacy. </p>
<p>Northwestern: If I were to eliminate a school from this list, it may be this one. This school, however, had a very Cornell-like vibe to me. Cornell is undoubtedly one of my top choices (I’m still trying to decide if I should ED there or not) and this school reminded me of it (especially in academic terms) for some reason. Furthermore, the sports scene of the school attracted me (one of the reasons why I love UT). I have, however, been thinking of switching this school out with University of Notre Dame, which may better suit my personality.</p>
<p>Brown: Although this school is extremely different from schools like UChicago and Dartmouth in that it doesn’t have a “core”. I am actually very attracted by the notion that students are responsible for their own education (in a way) and don’t have to rely on the school to make course decisions for them. Attending a school like Brown would allow me to explore my academic interests and passions to the deepest level.</p>
<p>Dartmouth: As I’ve mentioned before, I love being surrounded by nature (although I like cities as well). Location is one of the principal reasons why I want to attend both Dartmouth and Cornell. This school’s educational philosophy also reminded me of UChicago.</p>
<p>NYU: While I would love to live in a nature-filled, rural environment for 4 years, I would also thoroughly enjoy living within a city as diverse as NYC. The city’s international location and its connection to institutions like the UN makes it quite appealing for someone aiming to major in International Relations. I also figured that this would be a great low-reach or match for me.</p>
<p>Johns Hopkins: The reputation of the international relations program at JHU is undeniable. Its graduate program is ranked 2nd in the country. Just like with Gtwn, this school would be an ideal college to pursue my intended major.</p>
<p>Cornell: Cornell is in fact one of my very top choices (as mentioned above). Its location appeals to me even more than the location of Dartmouth. I love to hike and bike outdoors, and Cornell seems to combine an idyllic location with the type of academics that I’m looking for. Pursuing a government major with a concentration in International Relations would allow me to combine my two passions (kind of like with CMU). </p>
<p>UPenn: For some reason I keep feeling a pre-professional vibe from this school. This makes it feel as I would receive a very practical and straightforward education here that would help me greatly in grad school and beyond. Its urban location also attracts me in a way similar to the appeal of NYU. The school also has an excellent international relations program, which I would undoubtedly try to pursue. However, this may be a school that I should consider eliminating from my list, as it doesn’t seem to attract me as much as some of the other schools.</p>
<p>Stanford/Princeton: Ever since I was young, I always wondered if I could ever attend a school of HYPS caliber. Perhaps this is because of the Asian in me, and I’m sorry if this is a shallow reason. Regardless, I figured that since this is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, I should try to expand my horizons as much as possible.</p>
<p>Anyways, sorry for the long post. I will take all of your advice into consideration and try to reformat my list.</p>
<p>Any particular reason why Columbia isn’t on your list? Similar to UChicago, it is known for having an academic vibe, and obviously it’s located in NYC which is something you like.</p>
<p>You have too many reaches on your list. Cut those down and add in some more matches.</p>
<p>OK, you’ve sold me on all of those prestigious schools. That doesn’t change the fact that they are reaches. Your list is completely backwards; it should consist of mostly matches, a couple of decent safeties, and (the LEAST important part of your list) one or two reaches. </p>
<p>First, since you’re fixated on dream schools, pick two of them; it doesn’t much matter, since by definition your chances are slim. Once you’ve done that, get the stars out of your eyes and get down to business.</p>
<p>Research safeties, and add at least one more. If you doubt the importance of this, look at some of the threads from March and April to see what happened to the Class of '09. My daughter has friends who graduated IB full diploma, applied only to matches and reaches, got accepted to none – yes, NONE – and will be going to community college in the fall. You are at the peak of the echo boom, and the competition even for match schools is extremely fierce right now. You absolutely MUST have at least 2 safeties; you may very well end up going to one of them.</p>
<p>Once you have your safeties, get to work on the whole point of this process: Picking schools where you will likely spend the next 4 years. Decide what’s most important to you, and find the schools which come closest to your priorites (bearing in mind that no school is perfect), and where you have a good chance of being accepted. This is where you should be spending your time and effort. </p>
<p>And your total should be 10, maximum.</p>
<p>While the 2-3 safeties, 3-4 matches, 2-3 reaches strategy tends to work well, I disagree with the posters who claim that you absolutely need it. If you are legally bound to get into your safety (I don’t know the intricacies of admission to Texas public schools, so if you aren’t then this changes my argument) and you like that safety and you can afford that safety, you don’t need another safety.</p>
<p>Here’s another question: if you get into either UChicago or Georgetown early, what schools would you automatically cross off your RD list? That’s a good way of determining which ones you like least.</p>
<p>Many of your reasons for wanting to apply to the schools currently on your list have to do with strength in your intended major, which is a good way to initially pick a big list of schools. However, now that you have a list of 12 where most, if not all, of them are strong in your intended field, you could start narrowing the list down. For example, you didn’t mention anything about JHU other than that it’s strong in international relations, so if you don’t have any other reason for wanting to go there you can cross that off your list.</p>
<p>I don’t think 12 is necessarily too many. I also don’t see the problem with applying to many reaches so long as you’re qualified for those reaches. You haven’t given us your stats, but if you say with confidence that NYU is match-y for you we can assume you’re qualified for your reaches. Again, if and only if Texas is a true safety for you legally, your list looks manageable. You could trim it down a little, taking off 1-2 schools, but I think you’ll be fine.</p>
<p>Your list is not too long as long as you can afford the app fees and do each application and essay justice. It’s a lot of work, if you can do it. But, it will give you more options to look over once you get your acceptances and financial aid offers.</p>
<p>20 is too many
10 is enough
5 is too few</p>
<p>
</p>
<p>You’re 100% wrong. If OP is happy with his 1 GUARANTEED safety, why should he be compelled to apply to any other schools that aren’t reaches/don’t interest him as much?</p>
<p>Go to students review dot com (take out the spaces), and read through the reviews. Then, onto rate my professors dot com and look at the ratings of the teachers of each college of your intended major. </p>
<p>Keeping in mind that you should only believe something about a college if it’s written in over 7 reviews, and should take the ratings of the profs with a grain of salt, those two sites are very efficient in helping one narrow down a college list.</p>
<p>Good luck!</p>
<p>^ There’s a discussion about that [url=<a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/college-search-selection/745159-do-you-think-student-reviews-web-site-useful.html]here[/url”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/college-search-selection/745159-do-you-think-student-reviews-web-site-useful.html]here[/url</a>].</p>
<p>Thanks for all of the advice- I’ll take all of them into serious consideration. If possible, more comments would be greatly appreciated.</p>
<p>It is true that the vast majority of my schools are reaches. (It is also true that I have little to no chance in quite a few of them.) Here are my stats, which are by no means stellar. Looking at these stats, which schools should I remove or add? </p>
<p>Gender: Male
Race: Korean
Location: very competitive public high school in Texas
Intended Major: International Relations or Government/PoliSci (depending on school)</p>
<p>GPA: 3.93 unweighted, rank 41/588 (top 10%) [may change in senior year] [somewhat of an upward trend- bad grades in freshman year]
SAT I:
1st sitting: 680R 650M 780W (2110)
2nd sitting: 790R 740M 700W (2230)
SUPERSCORED: 790R 740M 780W (2310)</p>
<p>SAT IIs: World History: 790 US History: 770 Korean: 800 (may take math II in Oct)</p>
<p>AP Scores
US History: 5
World History: 5
Spanish Language: 5
English Literature: 4</p>
<p>Awards:
-2nd place in Academic WorldQuest San Antionio Regionals (2009)
-UIL district finalist for extemporaneous speaking (2009)
-UIL Division I Band Soloist (2007, 2008)
-qualified for UIL State Band Solo Contest (2008)
-Finalist in University of Texas Spanish Poetry Declamation Contest (2009)
-A winner of the Austin International Poetry Festival Youth Contest (2008) & published poet</p>
<p>Extra Curriculars:
-STAND Anti-Genocide Coalition (President: 2009)
-World Affairs Club (Co-President: 2008-2009, Academic WorldQuest Team Captain: 2009)
-Politics, Economics, and Philosophy Club (Secretary: 2008-2009)
-Varsity Extemporaenous Speaking/Debate (2007-2008)
-Citizen Journalist writing about politics and IR (2008-2009)
-Marching/Concert Band (Band Librarian: 2008-2009)
-volunteer counselor at a camp for disabled children (891 hours, 2008-2009)</p>
<p>College Programs:
Attend the 2008 Georgetown University International Relations Summer Program for High School Students</p>
<p>Essays/Recs: hopefully both will be good. Obviously it wouldnt mean anything for me to say that my essays are great or whatnot.</p>