College shortlist

College Search & Selection
1

<p>So after much research and reading I think I've come up with my college list. I intend to major in economics and the main criteria I used to select the following colleges were:</p>

<ul>
<li>good economics department</li>
<li>located close to medium-sized or large city that offers many off-campus activities</li>
<li>preferably good weather </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>diverse student body</li>
</ul>

<p>Stats:
GPA: 100/100 (I'm an international student)
Courses: University preparatory (A Levels)
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>

<p>Amherst College
Claremont McKenna College
Occidental College
Macalester College</p>

<p>Rice University
Stanford University
UPenn
UVa
UMich
Vanderbilt</p>

<p>Anyone have any suggestions in regards to any of these colleges possibly not satisfying one of the above criteria, because I've based this list on what I've read and I'm not sure how accurate these descriptions were. Other colleges that I've strongly considered are:</p>

<p>Brown University (chose Stanford over Brown as my super reach college)
Carleton College (rural location)
Davidson College (not diverse enough - too preppy)
Duke University (unpleasant surrounding area)
Grinnell College (rural location)
UCSB (apparently has a party-school reputation)
Villanova University (too religious and preppy?)</p>

2

<p>Bump. Any opinions?</p>

3

<p>I think your biggest issue is not having enough match and safety schools. If you have a good option in your country no problem, but if you’re counting on a US school your list is not realistic.</p>

4

<p>

</p>

<p>Which subjects did you take as A-Levels and what were your grades ?</p>

5

<p>I have a place in a UK university. US university is just another option for me. I have taken Mathematics, Government & Politics, Chemistry, Accounting, Economics and Modern Greek for A Level and have a Grade A in all of them.</p>

6

<p>@ OP: If you are totally set on attending a college in the U.S., you will need one or two safety colleges. I don’t know which ones have strong econ departments though.</p>

<p>I would consider adding Duke to your list. Even though it is not in the best location, it has a really strong economics department and offers everything else you are looking for. Durham is also improving, so there are still nightclubs and restaurants to go to. Plus, there is always Chapel Hill, Raleigh, or Charlotte, which are not too far away from Duke.</p>

<p>I’m glad you have Rice on your list. In my opinion, it is a “hidden gem.” It satisfies all of your requirements. I will just warn you that Rice’s econ department is not considered its strongest (Rice’s engineering departments surpass it), but it is still a strong department (just not one of the best in the nation). However, don’t let that dissuade you from applying… Rice’s econ dept is still good, so all of your criteria is fulfilled by applying to Rice. Rice is near all the cultural activities and nightlife since it is only 5 miles from downtown Houston (and there is a light rail system); it is also adjacent to some amazing shopping, restaurants, and parks. Additionally, there is close student and faculty interaction; Rice’s student to faculty ratio is 5 to 1, with a median class of 15 students. Although Houston can be very hot and humid, it is generally in the mid 50s or 60s in January, when it is usually 30s or 40s elsewhere. Student body is very diverse, there are strong internship opportunities, and there is a lot of school pride.</p>

<p>I would also suggest looking at UChicago… they are known for their economics department.</p>

7

<p>I agree with other posters that you don’t have one or two true safety. You have great score but it is still difficult for some of those schools as international student. I think you will be happy in Macalester which is very international oriented. If you want to add some more match and safety, I will suggest that you look into Trinity College, George Washington and American University. American University in DC could be your safety if you want to live in a more quiet area of Washington DC.</p>

<p>Amherst College (super reach)
Claremont McKenna College (match)
Occidental College (match)
Macalester College (match)</p>

<p>Rice University (super reach)
Stanford University (super reach)
UPenn (super reach)
UVa (reach)
UMich (match)
Vanderbilt (reach)</p>

<p>Hope this will help.</p>

8

<p>Amherst College - reach
Claremont McKenna College - match
Occidental College - low match
Macalester College - low match</p>

<p>Rice University - reach
Stanford University - reach
UPenn - reach
UVa - low reach
UMich - match
Vanderbilt - match</p>

<p>Brown University - reach
Carleton College - high match
Davidson College - match
Duke University - reach
Grinnell College - match
UCSB (apparently has a party-school reputation) - def party reputation… since you’re not a CA resident, probably low match – the UCs are very biased towards CA residents</p>

9

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<p>The scores are considerably below median at most of these schools.</p>

10

<p>So from the following list, which ones do you think I have a decent chance of being accepted:</p>

<p>Bowdoin College
Carleton College
Claremont McKenna College
Colorado College
Dartmouth College
Macalester College
Occidental College
Pomona College
Rice University
Stanford University
University of Pennsylvania
University of Michigan
UNC - Chapel Hill
University of Virginia
Vanderbilt University
Whitman College</p>

<p>Also can anyone comment on the relative strength of the economic departments of the University of Oregon and the University of Denver?</p>

11

<p>Assuming you’re full pay:</p>

<p>Good chance:
Colorado
Mac
Whitman</p>

<p>Reasonable chance:
Carleton
Oxy
Michigan
UNC</p>

<p>Much also depends on where you’re from and what the competition is from your country. Asia, everything is harder. Small African nation and Stanford becomes realistic. Also how much they will bend if your study of English has been minimal. Take the above with a grain of salt unless you’re from Canada and have studied English all of your life.</p>

12

<p>

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<p>That is pretty impressive ! You should apply to Cambridge or LSE with those stats.</p>

13

<p>The OP does have great scores. He has a 4.0 GPA, #1 ranked in his class, and earned A’s in 6 A-Level subjects (almost equivalent to a perfect 45 IB score).</p>

<p>Btw, it’s easier to get into UVa than Michigan for international students … at least from my part of the world.</p>

14

<p>

</p>

<p>He has high grades but not high scores. This is a common issue. In candidates without a hook, top colleges want both.</p>

15

<p>bdude,
Obviously you have good grades and rank, but your Achilles heel is going to be your test scores. Top colleges in the USA are inundated with students who have one or the other and often both and frequently a long list of ECs. Your GPA and rank will get you in the discussion, but consider how your test scores compare below with the larger universities that you have targeted. And your ECs aren’t earth-shattering for this universe of colleges. </p>

<p>IMO, many of the projections above are off the mark as there is very little to choose from among the statistical comparison of the privates. All are pretty darn tough to get in and commonly attract hordes of great applicants. By comparison, when measured as a whole, the publics are all materially less selective on average than this group of privates. However, keep in mind that the publics have limited numbers of OOS students and admission to them from OOS is much more difficult and higher test scores are definitely part of the equation. And this would be even more so for internationals. </p>

<p>CR =650, Math = 730 for the OP</p>

<p>SAT 25/75, % of students scoring 700+ on CR, % scoring 700+ on Math</p>

<p>1330-1550, 65%, 67% Dartmouth
1330-1540, 57%, 66% Stanford
1330-1520, 52%, 70% U Penn
1330-1500, 47%, 66% Vanderbilt
1310-1530, 53%, 64% Rice</p>

<p>1220-1440, 32%, 40% U Virginia
1210-1390, 25%, 30% U North Carolina
1220-1430, 22%, 46% U Michigan</p>

<p>I think you need more schools that are less selective, ie, more matches (like Villanova).</p>

16

<p>i agree with sliknik about adding duke to your list. it fulfills every single one of your qualifications for a school that fits you (and very well, might i say), except for the fact that you feel that the area is unpleasant. while durham isn’t … well… AMAZING, there are still plenty of things to do. and the plus side is that since the campus is ridiculously pretty and since there’s already a lot to do on campus, you aren’t really ever bored.</p>

<p>and plus, you’re not far from raleigh and chapel hill (which, it hurts me to say, is a pretty damn nice college town).</p>

17

<p>Might want to look at Bowdoin and Holy Cross.</p>

18

<p>if you are self pay, I think you have good chance in Michigan as an out of state student. I think you have good chance in Macalester, Colorado College, Occidental, UNC and Whitman too. The rest are reach or high reach. You don’t need to apply 10 reaches, just pick 2 or 3 than you really like and see how it comes out. Since you are already accepted in an UK university, you really don’t need to University of Oregon and the University of Denver as your backup.</p>

<p>Bowdoin College (reach)
Carleton College (reach)
Claremont McKenna College (reach)
Colorado College (match)
Dartmouth College (reach)
Macalester College (match)
Occidental College (match)
Pomona College (reach)
Rice University (reach)
Stanford University (reach)
University of Pennsylvania (reach)
University of Michigan (match)
UNC - Chapel Hill (match)
University of Virginia (reach)
Vanderbilt University (reach)
Whitman College (safety)</p>

<p>Also can anyone comment on the relative strength of the economic departments of the University of Oregon and the University of Denver? (you can aim higher)</p>

<p>This is just my humble opinion. :)</p>

19

<p>So UVa is a reach? How about Emory? Do you think it would be a high match or would it another reach? Would Northeastern be a good safety?</p>

<p>Any other match/safety recommendations?</p>

20

<p>Any comments?</p>