<p>My kid is an upcoming senior who is looking for colleges with good science and music performance, schools not too small, not too large, midwest to east coast (not south), likes idea of LAC, liked HY but not P or S and has the following stats:</p>
<p>Class rank: Top 10%
GPA: UW 3.9 (school doesn't weight)
ACT composite 35, writing 10/12, hasn't take SAT I yet and may not
SAT II 800 (math), 760 (language)
5 AP classes by end of Jr year, 10 by end of senior
EC's: mostly music including national choirs, co-captain golf team (not a college level golfer), co-editor in chief school newspaper</p>
<p>Could those of you who are knowledgeable about this please suggest reach, match, and safety schools?</p>
<p>Check out Case Western Reserve University. They give great merit scholarships with those scores and are well known for sciences & music. I wouldn't even guess as to what any of the schools you mentioned above would be safeties, matches, or reaches. If you've been on this forum very long you will see that many of the same scores your child has doesn't mean a guaranteed spot in any school. Just some advice - not to discourage you. One other thing make sure you look into a couple of good state colleges in your area for safeties. They usually have great honors programs available for students with s talent/scores.</p>
<p>If your kid is passionate about science and liked Yale when he/she visited, I think I'd definitely encourage him to apply.
Yale doesn't have music minors, but it does have an eclectic selection of choral opportunities for all interested students. The well-roundedness of your kid comes through, too, with strength in math as well as writing. You should consider Yale a "realistic reach" imho.</p>
<p>Lawrence University is a good one to look into. They have a conservatory with the college and also a strong science program. It is a very friendly place, and the admissions people are SO helpful. It also has good merit aid. </p>
<p>Oberlin may be more of a reach than a match, at least this year. I know some fine students, including my son, who were waitlisted at Oberlin. However, Lawrence has many of the things Oberlin does (except it is not quite as liberal, I hear), but is a bit easier to get into.</p>
<p>If you'd consider going all the way West, Whitman has excellent science and music and he might match with merit. Occidental is also strong in both. The beauty of LACs is he can usually emphasize both interests all along. I have a friend who did the Oxy/CalTech combo and wound up with a very successful career at Dolby where he as combined the two interests completely.</p>
<p>Quiltguru is a great name. My sister in law is a midwestern quilter (Oak Park IL) of course as a psychologist if first misread it as Guiltguru......don't interpret that</p>
<p>Appleton, Wisconsin. My son will be attending next year as a double degree candidate: BM-composition/oboe; and Government. They have interesting research going on between the sciences and arts. I haven't visited. My son did last year and was sold. He turned down "more prestigious" programs to go to Lawrence. It was a perfect match.</p>
<p>Another possibility for you may be Bard College. They are building their science departments and have a terrific music program including a conservatory but not limited to it. </p>
<p>Both of these programs have dropped the demand to see SAT scores. You can send them if you want; but it is not necessary. They look at the whole kid; that was the impression I got when we visited Bard and that is also the impression I have from Lawrence. Communications and letters etc. are personal from Lawrence. It is actually great for me who will be sending away my one and only across continents to attend school.</p>
<p>In answer to your question, HY = reaches for everyone. HY would be a reach for your S mostly due to their selectivity, not his lack of good qualifications. However, from your region?-- might be a little advantage.</p>
<p>Sounds like Vassar might also be a good match. Lots of performing arts, good science and they need boys, in case your kid is a boy.</p>
<p>I'm assuming you are talking music performance opportunities vs. a music performance degree. If the former, make some pointed inquiries at places like Oberlin and Northwestern about non-music majors at your son's level of musical skill being able to access the opportunities he wants. </p>
<p>Reach: Harvard, Yale, Swarthmore (reaches for just about every student)</p>
<p>Match: Northwestern, Bard, Oberlin, Case Western</p>
<p>Safety: Lawrence and St. Olaf (two very good LACs and GREAT safeties given your S's profile and interests), maybe Boston University</p>
<p>BTW - music at Carleton is just okay. Not significantly better at Macalester but major urban location does make some very good teachers available for lessons and offers more opportunity to hear great live performances.</p>
<p>I would look seriously into Columbia. The school is putting a very large emphasis on their music program in all aspects and are currently fundraising to build a whole new area of campus designed for performing arts. It is an urban school in the best city in the world. I would recommend it highly if your upcoming senior wants music and science.</p>
<p>quiltguru (I'm sure there's a story there :)) Welcome.</p>
<p>I'd suggest that your child take a look at Williams -- excellent sciences and music -- plus some good golf when it's not snowed under. </p>
<p>Williams would be considered a reach for most applicants, but your child's statistics are certainly in the right range. Having just completed a $40 million performing arts center they are actively recruiting musicians -- both as majors and as EC's. There are many, many performance opportunities for musicians and the music department per se is reported to be quite good. For math/science Williams is one of the best LACs in the country.</p>