Comments on college list and help me with some of my *many* questions?

<p>So I am drafting (well trying to) my college list. After long hours spent reading each and every site, watching countless tours on youtube, and planning trips to a few, I have narrowed it down to these top contenders. I have a few questions...</p>

<ol>
<li><p>Does my categorization into groups of safety, match, and reach seem OK? I understand that you don't see my credentials, but I want to know if I've discounted the selectivity of some of these schools. For example, can UCSB really be considered a "safety" while UCSD is in the "match" zone? This is simply what I've garnered from acceptance rates, word of mouth, and average scores.</p></li>
<li><p>My prospective major is either neuroscience/neurobiology or biology (if the school doesn't have neuroscience). I am considering a possible double major and definite minor in linguistics. There are some schools, however, at which I'm considering a different route (simply because I fell in love with a different program); that will be noted. Are there any schools on this list that aren't particularly good for my prospective major(s)?(P.S. I have not decided yet, but pre-med is a possibility.)</p></li>
<li><p>Is my prospective major going to make any of these schools harder/easier to get into?</p></li>
<li><p>I'll make a note next to each school I'm planning on visiting. If there are ANY schools on this list that you think I must visit (or show CONSIDERABLE INTEREST IN), let me know.</p></li>
<li><p>Do you simply not like any of these schools? Any horror stories? It'd be great to know :)</p></li>
<li><p>I am Muslim. Will this hurt me at schools like Boston College and Georgetown?</p></li>
<li><p>Which other safety schools do you recommend? I understand that my "safety" list isn't really a "safety" list... hahahaha</p></li>
<li><p>If you have any other comments, go for it.</p></li>
</ol>

<p>Oh! And I'm in California :)</p>

<p>HERE'S THE LIST! It is listed in order of preference (within each category) from least favorite to first choice.</p>

<p>Safety(ish...) :</p>

<p>Should I apply to CSU Long Beach and/or Cal Poly Pomona?</p>

<p>UC Davis: Visiting</p>

<p>UC Irvine: Visiting</p>

<p>Boston University:</p>

<p>University of Washington:</p>

<p>UCSB:</p>

<p>Occidental College:</p>

<p>Match:</p>

<p>Scripps College: Visiting</p>

<p>Cal Poly SLO:</p>

<p>UCSD:</p>

<p>Boston College:</p>

<p>University of Southern California: Visiting</p>

<p>University of Michigan:</p>

<p>Carnegie Mellon University:</p>

<p>Tufts University:</p>

<p>Emory University: Visiting</p>

<p>UCLA: Visiting</p>

<p>UC Berkeley:</p>

<p>Washington University St. Louis (possible EARLY DECISION-- that is the only reason I put it in match): Visiting and will decide then if ED is right for me</p>

<p>Georgetown University:</p>

<p>Northwestern University (possible EARLY DECISION-- that is the only reason I put it in match): Visiting and will decide then if ED is right for me-- interested in doing Biology major with double major in Social Policy @ SESP... bad idea?</p>

<p>Reach:</p>

<p>Rice University: Already visited</p>

<p>Stanford University: Visiting</p>

<p>University of Pennsylvania:</p>

<p>Pomona College: Visiting</p>

<p>At the Georgetown information session, a student who asked the same question was told that an applicant’s religion is not considered as a factor. Georgetown’s Common Data Set confirms that statement.</p>

<p>@siliconvalleymom‌ Thank you!! :)</p>

<p>Have you already run the Net Price Calculators on each college’s financial aid website to make sure that every option is financially viable?</p>

<p>@siliconvalleymom‌ After many people on college confidential told me to do so, I went ahead and ran the calculator for most schools. With the 5,000 dollar scholarship I will have for all 4 years (from a local music conservatory), I’m all set!</p>

<p>that $5k will not be used to reduce your family’s contribution. your college will reduce your aid by $5k</p>

<p>@mom2collegekids‌ I contacted many schools and was told that they will likely not reduce the aid given the small amount I’m receiving.</p>