College recommendations help please!

College Search & Selection
1

<p>I'm a junior, currently starting to work on my college list. The most important things to me are academic quality and prestige. I want to get a strong liberal arts education, and definitely want to avoid any pre-professional atmosphere.</p>

<p>PSAT: 80 CR, 73 W, 73 M
GPA: 3.93 UW (improvement likely)</p>

<p>Major: Computer Science and/or Political Science
Location: anything besides too large a city (needs a campus), don't want to need a car
Region: Northeast or northern midwest; maybe California; nothing south of DC
Religion: can't be overbearing; I'm atheist, but would be willing to meet the challenge of going to a Jesuit school.</p>

<p>Any school suggested should have a beautiful campus (including "old" architecture), a strong study abroad program (esp. Paris), and decent internship opportunities, particularly in politics.</p>

<p>Current List: (ignore other parts)
1. Harvard University - (apply early) — awesome
2. Stanford University - (apply early) — awesome
3. Princeton University - (apply early) — awesome
4. Massachusetts Institute of Technology – Early Action — awesome
5. Dartmouth College - (apply early) — nice campus, mix
6. Cornell University - (after EA results) — Ivy, easier
7. Georgetown University - Early Action — Washington, politics
8. Amherst College - pretentious, LAC, beautiful campus
9. University of Chicago - Early Action — intellectual atmosphere
10. Carnegie Mellon University - (after EA results) — match, tech</p>

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<p>You need more safeties and matches in your list. I’m afraid you are probably being over-optimistic about your chances of getting into the aforementioned schools. Students with similar or stronger stats are known to have been rejected by Harvard, Stanford, Princeton, Amherst and MIT for example. In fact, even Carnegie Mellon might become a reach if you apply to the School of Computer Science.</p>

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<p>Also, I don’t want a big sports atmosphere.</p>

<p>I’m fine with parties or frats, but want to make sure there’s a lot of opportunities for me to branch out socially and actually make friends and have fun, unlike most of high school.</p>

<p>And I’ll need significant financial aid.</p>

4

<p>Why do you say that?</p>

<p>My transcript only has 2 Bs, both from Freshman year, and I’ve been taking easily the hardest courseload at my school. I also have significant extra-curricular involvement, including leadership positions. And yes, I’m aware others with my stats have been rejected from these schools—but not because of stats.</p>

<p>And if you say I need some safeties/matches, what would you suggest?</p>

5

<p>What I’m saying is that Harvard, Yale, Princeton, MIT and, to a somewhat lesser extent Stanford, are reaches for anyone, regardless of your stats or ECs. I’m also trying to convey the message that a balanced college application list needs at least a few back-up safeties. </p>

<p>Safeties for you would probably include most top public universities like Illinois Urbana, Michigan Ann Arbor, Cal Berkeley, and, if you are interested in tech majors only, Georgia Tech and Purdue. Private universities you might want to look at include Rice and RPI. Other more knowledgeable posters might give you additional suggestions.</p>

<p>PS: Please note that some of the schools in your list, most notably MIT and CMU, are not really known for a “liberal arts” type of education.</p>

6

<p>Thanks for your recommendations.</p>

<p>

Understood, I full agree on those. I was more questioning why you would put UChicago or CMU in that category too.</p>

<p>

I don’t really see the point in applying to schools which I probably wouldn’t attend (like most publics).</p>

<p>Also, keep in mind that I’ll definitely apply to UVM (in-state), which should serve as an adequate safety. I’m more looking for matches.</p>

<p>

True. They’re on their simply for exceptional CS programs—if I decide to go there, I’d choose to relinquish the idea of liberal arts in exchange for top-tier CS.</p>

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<p>*And I’ll need significant financial aid. *</p>

<p>Will you QUALIFY for significant financial aid? Do you know what your family’s EFC is and will they pay it? [FinAid</a> | Calculators | Expected Family Contribution (EFC) and Financial Aid](<a href=“http://www.finaid.org/calculators/finaidestimate.phtml]FinAid”>http://www.finaid.org/calculators/finaidestimate.phtml) If your parents’ EFC is high, but they can’t/won’t pay, then you’ll have a problem. **You need to find out exactly how much your parents will contribute to your college costs each year. **That is very important.</p>

<p>Virtually all of your schools are high reaches/reaches - even UChicago and Carnegie Mellon. Therefore, there’s no guarantee that you’ll get accepted to any of them. That’s why people are suggesting match and financial safety schools for you to include on your list. :)</p>

<p>Also, the fact that you need FA is significant. If you don’t get accepted to your high reaches that meet need (if you truly have **demonstrated **need), then you’ll need to rely on match/safeties for merit scholarships to pay for your college costs. </p>

<p>It looks like you’ll be a NMSF with your PSAT of 226 (which is high enough in all 50 states). That means that you will get some good scholarship offers from some various schools. While none of those schools may be appealing to you, you should apply to at least one or two…JUST IN CASE you don’t have the funding to go where you want. That’s the point of having a couple of Financial Safety schools.</p>

<p>Also, keep in mind that I’ll definitely apply to UVM (in-state), which should serve as an adequate safety.</p>

<p>If you have NO INTENTION of going to UVM, then you’ll need a couple more financial safeties. BTW…many publics are much better than UVM, so if that’s what you’re using as your benchmark for how flagships are, then you’re mistaken. Going to schools like UVa, UIUC, or UMich is not like going to UVM.</p>

<p>BTW…I think Georgetown is a perfect school for your interests, if affordable. </p>

<p>What are your ECs/hooks??? Without some hooks and/or the ability to be a full payer, many of these schools become super reaches.</p>

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<p>

Our EFC is very low. I’m raised by my mother, who is single and makes under $60,000 a year. At many of these top schools, I would have zero tuition, hence some of my desire to attend.</p>

<p>

I’ll certainly look into some of these, should good offers come.</p>

<p>

Well, I’m white, but I come from a small state (VT). My ECs include: debate captain & top 3 in state; forensics captain and top 3 in state; own web design business with $5,000+ contracts; student council secretary, etc.</p>

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<p>Our EFC is very low. I’m raised by my mother, who is single and makes under $60,000 a year. At many of these top schools, I would have zero tuition, hence some of my desire to attend.</p>

<p>True. Your family income is low enough that some ivies will pay all of your costs (not sure if all ivies have this policy to pay for those who earn less than $60k - but Harvard does). I don’t even know if ALL of the ivies are need blind and meet 100% of need without loans, like Harvard does. Anyone know???</p>

<p>I don’t know if your ECs are Ivy hooks…others who know more about that can weigh in. </p>

<p>The negative is that you’re from the NE. Everyone and his brother in the NE applies to ivies. Ivies want kids from all over, therefore, many, many top kids from the NE get rejected.</p>

<p>For even those with perfect stats, ivies are a reach. But…because of your location, your chances are even more challenged. That’s why you must be open to some financial matches and safeties.</p>

<p>Sadly, those with great stats as yours, can’t just go anywhere they want when money is a concern. So, you’ll need to have schools that can meet need without much in loans on your list, AND schools that will give you top merit scholarships on your list. The schools that don’t fit either parameter likely won’t work, because they’ll require big loans. :(</p>

<p>I know that you have a lot of reaches, but add Vanderbilt to your list. It meets full need without loans AND probably doesn’t get a lot of apps from Vermont. So, that might be a plus for you. :)</p>

<p>**Uh…just had a thought…**what is your father’s income? If he’s alive, his income will be considered by these private schools. Your CSS Profile non custodial parent report will include his info. If he has a decent income, that will likely change your “need” status.</p>

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<p>Thanks for you help!

I’m not sure about the others, but I do know they’re all very generous

All ivies are need blind, and I think most every school on my list is. I also know most of them are moving away from loans, especially at lower income tiers.</p>

<p>

Unfortunately, I’m dead set against going to schools in the south.</p>

<p>

Do they really factor in his income, even if he won’t be contributing? Still, he makes less than $15,000—even combined, my parents probably fall under $60,000.</p>

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<p>^^^</p>

<p>Yes, you have to include his info, even if he won’t contribute (otherwise all parents would say: “we’re not contributing.” ) However, since his income is low, having him fill out the NCP CCS Profile probably won’t hurt unless he has some big assets somewhere. Which he probably doesn’t. :)</p>

<p>Well, since you’re really only mostly applying to high reaches in the NE, you do have to be prepared for rejections based on your own NE location (Vermont). </p>

<p>Stanford, UChicago, and CMU are outside of the NE - which is good for you - but they are still reaches (and Stanford can be so quirky with admissions!). Your best chances are with these schools, but none are a “lock.” That’s why I suggested Vandy, but you won’t consider the south. How about USC?</p>

<p>So, as I wrote above: you’ll need to have schools that can meet need without much in loans on your list, AND schools that will give you top merit scholarships on your list. The schools that don’t fit either parameter likely won’t work, because they’ll require big loans. Therefore, you list is likely going to look a bit odd. A bunch of high reaches that will award you a rich FA package without loans, and a few mid-tiers that will give you tons of money for your stats. :)</p>

<p>If done right, you should be able to get an education with little to no loans. :)</p>

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<p>Unfortunately, most of my interest lies in New England (I love it here), though I definitely will consider other schools. Do you know of any easier LACs with decent aid?</p>

<p>Thanks for the recommendation of USC—I’ve added it to my “working” list.</p>

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<p>You’re certainly being overoptimistic and as mentioned, you need safeties. Chicago cannot be called a safety for anyone because of the sheer quirkiness/randomness of its admissions. You should look at safeties that are not UVM - would you really attend UVM if you got rejected from everywhere else?</p>

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<p>Thanks for your help.</p>

<p>Why am I being overoptimistic? I don’t think I’ll get accepted by all of these, but surely given my credentials I’ll get into at least one.</p>

<p>Also, I do plan to apply early to some (including UChicago)—if I get rejected/deferred then I’ll add more safeties.</p>

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<p>When you said apply early, did you mean through an early program or literally send in your applications early in the fall?</p>

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<p>Well seeing that you have schools in Boston and DC on your list, I would also add Boston University and George Washington University ( great in poli sci, not sure about pc sci).
Considering that you have financial need, you can also look at UM-Twin Cities, its a great school and cheapest tuition in the Big Ten.</p>

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<p>Xargon42: Early Action</p>

<p>

BU seems quite a bit below my caliber, though I suppose it could be a backup. GW is a good suggestion and I’ve added it to my list.</p>

<p>

A big ten school is the exact opposite of what I’m looking for: huge and emphasis on athletics.</p>

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<p>If you are female, you might want to consider women’s colleges such as Smith in hunting for matches.</p>

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<p>*Considering that you have financial need, you can also look at UM-Twin Cities, its a great school and cheapest tuition in the Big Ten. *</p>

<p>Yes, it’s cheap (about $26k for OOS), but would it give FA to an OOS student? If not, then paying the $26k will be a problem)</p>

<p>If they would award him a big fat merit scholarship, then it might be possible. But, if he’s willing to accept a merit from UMinn, then there are better schools that would also give him big fat merits, too.</p>

<p>As a national merit, USC would want him. They’d give him a scholarship and meet his need.</p>

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<p>

Nope, I’m male.</p>