Crafting that college list

College Search & Selection
1

<p>I'm going to need some help with making my list of colleges that I'll be applying to come this early fall as I will be a senior in HS. Geographically, I'm looking at schools on the east coast and schools in the south such as UT-Austin, Tulane, UMiami, etc. I prefer a city, but I will also be looking at colleges with a vibrant college town such as UNC-Chapel Hill</p>

<p>First off, my stats...</p>

<p>State: NY
Gender: Male
School: Small/Average
SAT: 1840/1870 super-score (Plan on taking it one more time in October-aiming for 1900-2100 range)
Unweighted GPA: 3.9
Rank: School doesn't rank but I believe I will receive a percentage in the fall
AP: Waiting on my scores for AP U.S. & AP English (AP world-3)
Awards: Scholar Athlete Award, 4th place at NY State DECA competition (top 4 traveled to Anaheim, California to compete at the DECA International level), 10th grade Walt Whitman Poem contest, MVP for track, All-conference for Cross-Country, other small awards...
Extracurriculars: Cross-country, Winter & Spring Track all four years (Captain), School paper (Features editor, photographer), DECA Business club (Vice President), Student Government (Treasurer), NHS, NEHS, NFrenchHS (Treasurer), NSHS, Symphonic band and Select Wind Ensemble, Red Cross
Work: Internship at a PR firm in the city for the summer
Senior Course load: 4 AP's, College-level French, Legit Business Course, Band...</p>

<p>I'm planning on majoring in business.</p>

<p>Some schools I have in mind:
Northeastern
Boston College
UNC-Chapel Hill(Father is an alumni)
Wake Forest
University of Georgia
UMiami
Tulane
Ut-Austin<br>
American University
George Washington University
UVA
Vanderbilt</p>

<p>Now, I need some help shaping my list because I know I am lacking safety schools and maybe even matches.</p>

<p>Besides a school with great academics, I am looking for a school with a dynamic party scene/greek life and a preppy school is almost a must. If anyone can help with suggestions that would be great.</p>

<p>Thank you!</p>

2

<p>Schools to consider: Ole Miss, College of Charleston, and SMU.</p>

3

<p>Edit: I do NOT want to apply to any schools in New York…I really want to use the benefit of going away (out-of-state) for college. I’m also considering schools in California…any recommendations?</p>

4

<p>Even if you don’t have any desire to go to a NY school, I’d still recommend applying to a state college or two (not too familiar with NY schools, maybe SUNY-Binghamton?) You might get decent aid to accompany in-state tuition.</p>

5

<p>Also it may be a little out of your radar but University of Oregon has a great business program and Eugene is a very vibrant college city. If you prefer more a more liberal atmosphere or love college sports, this is a good option. Not the most academically rigorous school, but the business program is worth noting.</p>

<p>In terms of CA I’d look into the UC schools. UC Berkeley is the biggest reach, but UCLA is up there as well. There are several others in the system, most with great business programs. I’d research some and see what might interest you.</p>

<p>I don’t think any of these would qualify as safeties, but they’re worth looking into. Good luck with your search!</p>

6

<p>Any other suggestions? Any colleges I should consider removing from my list? Any other reaches, matches, safeties worth looking into? I will be looking at SMU and College of Charleston, not sure about Ole Miss. I like schools with great sport teams & Spirit. Also, out of my list, what is the best school to apply ED/EA? I was thinking UT or UNC? Maybe Tulane, not sure. Thanks!</p>

7

<p>What is your math +CR score?</p>

<p>How much will your parents pay each year? You have some expensive OOS publics on your list. Schools like U Texas & UGeorgia are going to expect your parents to pay all costs.</p>

<p>If you don’t know how much your parents will pay, ask them. You need to know this. For you to identify safeties, you need to know that all costs are covered. an unaffordable school is not a safety.</p>

8

<p>My Math+CR score is a 1200 SS and I hope to bring that up in the fall…</p>

<p>As far as price goes, my parents are willing to send me to a great school nonetheless and will spend a decent amount towards my education.</p>

9

<p>Sounds like Vanderbilt, Wake Forest, Boston College, UVA, Chapel Hill (although legacy status may help), and maybe George Washington are pretty big reaches. If you can get your SAT up to be more in line with your GPA, I’d feel better about these. I think you do have too many reach schools on the list. I agree that knowing your financial status would help narrow this down too.</p>

10

<p>

Using UT as an example, it will cost you ~$50K/year (the UCs would be similar). That’s certainly a decent amount. Will your parents pay that much? A safety school has to be affordable for your family or it’s not a safety because you still can’t go.</p>