<p>Just wanted to get some opinions on what we think might be my D's final list. Stats are:
caucasian, private prep school, western MA
GPA: not sure but all As(almost as much as possible in her small private school
Class Rank: not ranked but 2nd in class
SAT I: Reading 710, Math 720, Writing 650 (73 mc, 5 essay)
SAT II: Bio 720, Math II 700, Spanish 740
ECs -
Theatre since age 7
Varsity Lacrosse 10, 11, 12
Field Hockey - JV (9), Varsity (10, 12)
Mathletes - 11, 12
As Schools Match Wits - 11, 12
Language Club 10, 11, 12 (language tutor)
SANE 9, 10, 11, 12 (President)
Junior Statesman of America 10, 11, 12 (Treasurer)
Sunday School teacher 9, 10, 11, 12
No hook
Potential majors: Biology/Neuroscience, Linguistics
loves languages - 4 years Spanish, 3 years french, Japanese self-study</p>
<p>Dartmouth (Reach)
Swarthmore (Reach)
Williams (reach)
Bowdoin (Reach-Match)
Middlebury (Reach-Match)
Wellesley (Reach-Match)
Bates (match)
Colby (match)
Hamilton (match)
Mt. Holyoke (Match-Likely)
Dickinson (likely)
F & M (likely)
Skidmore (likely)
Please give me your opinions on this list and whether you think the assessments (reach, match, likely) are appropriate. Thanks.</p>
<p>The list looks great to me. But, I would drop Skidmore and Mt Holyoke and add U of Rochester (excellent linguistics, neuroscience, and biology), Colgate, or Lehigh. Two safeties is plenty-Dickinson and Franklin and Marshall. Add more matches.</p>
<p>Thanks for the suggestions. U of Rochester and Lehigh are much too large for her, but we will look into Colgate. Her high school has 210 students in grades 6-12, so even a small LAC is large for her. She is quite used to very small classes (some 6 students) and lots of discussion and close relationships with teachers, so is looking for the same atmosphere. It is very difficult to find linguistics programs in small LACs. The bio or neuroscience are definite interests, and she thinks she would also like to pursue linguistics along with language studies. But probably not enough to go to a larger school. </p>
<p>Lehigh and Rochester aren't significantly larger than Dartmouth. They are both just over 4,000 students, Dartmouth has 3500.</p>
<p>Nice list, good chances. My only question is this: would your daughter describe herself as more artsy/quirky or preppy/pre-professional? Schools like Skidmore fit the first, schools like Dickinson and F&M lean towards the latter. I might be tempted to drop or change a few of the safeties based on the answer to that question.</p>
<p>Thanks for all the help! carolyn - she would probably describe herself as more artsy/quirky. I do wonder if she will fit in well at Dickinson and F & M, but we had a hard time finding safeties and she did like those when we visited (this summer -- no students unfortunately). She doesn't want to go more than 5-6 hours away from home. If you have anymore suggestions for small LACs, please let me know. As far as size goes, Dartmouth is only on the list because she liked the idea when she received an email from them and liked the school when we visited. I do have reservations about whether it is the right atmosphere for her and also too large, but she will certainly stay overnight before deciding if (& we realize that's a very big if) she is accepted.</p>
<p>Take a look at Goucher in Maryland or Wheaton in Mass. They're more Skidmore-like and both have decent science departments (not sure about the linguistics aspect however). Don't get me wrong - F&M and Dickinson are terrific schools, just I'm always surprised to see Skidmore on the same list with them. Good luck to your daughter - she should do well.</p>
<p>Thanks carolyn. We will take a look at Goucher (actually her cousin is starting there this year). We've looked at Wheaton. To tell the truth, she thought it was okay, but we didn't really like it that much. Maybe we'll look again. You are right that F&M and Dickinson don't really belong on the same list as Skidmore. I think my daughter doesn't really know what she wants. So far, she hasn't really disliked any school that we have visited, and she hasn't really decided her order of preference at all. Hopefully this will come in time.</p>
<p>It's a good list . My D has similar stats and exactly the same major interests (Bio/neuroscience-y) and there is some overlap, Bowdoin and Hamilton for two. I thought D struggled with the essay but a 73/5? Did you ask her what happened? Is she retaking? If so, what has she found to prepare herself better for the goofy essay? D took the silly thing again after preparing for the essay and she did a point worse! I like her list . But that's a lot of essays, and apps.</p>
<p>Considerable overlap with D list last year, similar interest in linguistics. Amherst and Smith might fit as well but are similar to several already on the list.</p>
<p>In response to the comment about F&M and Dickison being preppy, they defintely are. However, Dickinson has very much the quintissential LAC feel- meaning there are all different types of kids, many who are the artsier type. F&M is much more preppy, but everyone I know who goes there (I live about 20 minutes from F&M and 45 from Dickison, have friends at both, and have been to both on many occasions) is extremely accepting, and I don't think it would be TOO much of a problem. You will definitely want to check it out when everyone's on campus though- I can't say for certain. I'd feel confident in saying Dickinson is a place where artsy kids would feel at home, but F&M, not as much. I'm looking at a lot of the same schools- but I'm less artsy :) Colgate is amazing- you should definitely look into it (although I shouldn't encourage any more applicants- I want to get in! haha)</p>
<p>THanks for the insight. curmudgeon -- she has a real problem with time on tests. Particularly on the writing. She's a good writer when she has time to develop her ideas, but to come up with an essay in that short of time just seems to stump her. She never gets close to developing enough of her points and finishing the essay. That was her second try and on the first she got a 4 on the essay. She will retake and we hope for the best. And I know it is alot of schools on her list -- I've been trying to get her to trim a few, but she can't figure which ones.</p>
<p>if she doesn't mind all girls--mary baldwin (about 2000 students) and sweetbriar(1200 kids) are two excellent liberal arts schools which could be safteies, they are beautiful, historical Virginia schools where the wives and daughters of southern gentile have been educated. they are quaint and very quality as well as verrrrry small classes and not too expensive. i think your daughter would fit in very well and get a top rate education</p>
<p>Czech, we must have missed the artsy crowd on our tour of Dickinson. My daughter, who is artsy and quirky, felt very out of place. Dickinson is a great school, however.</p>
<p>If she is willing to consider leaving the East, she might include places like Carleton, Grinnell, Macalester, Kenyon and Oberlin. All oustanding LAC's, and somewhat easier admissions than comparable schools in New England.</p>
<p>totallysweet -- she hasn't decide yet whether she minds all girls or not, thanks for the suggestions. afan -- she would feel alot more comfortable staying closer by, and frankly, I love that idea! But thanks.</p>