Dartmouth College ED, Yale College SCEA, Columbia College ED, or UPenn (CAS) ED?

Chance Me / Match Me!
1

Hi Everyone!

I hope you are all doing well. I actually wanted to ask you all a question regarding pieces of advice on the college admissions process. So I’m actually a rising sophomore in high school who’s generally been interested in the nation’s top schools for the longest time, but haven’t really started looking at school specifics, pros/cons, and programs until my freshman year of high school. I can inarguably say that my top choices for college are Dartmouth, Yale, Columbia, and UPenn (I will be visiting each of these schools along with a few other institutions within the next six months). However, the question arises as to which school I would apply early to, due to the fact that I have seen stellar and attractive qualities in each of these four schools. I want to be able to apply to my top college choice early (and the others, if rejected/deferred), and would be willing to make a binding commitment to do so. I’m just curious as to what you all think, as I am just gleaning advice before senior year!

  • I really do enjoy city life, but being in a "nature-y" and rural-type environment is also something that really sparks an interest in my eyes.
  • I play the violin and would like to attend a school with a strong music program (I know all the schools have amazing ones).
  • I would be interested in pursuing a double major in Molecular Biology (pre-medicine) and Musical Performance.
  • I want to be able to find a strong and diverse religious association with each of the schools as I want to see a vast variety of various cultures at my supposed college.
  • Various research opportunities for undergraduates is a must for me, and I prefer having an undergraduate focus at the school of my choice.
  • I just thought I'd mention that I've always had a gut feeling about Dartmouth (never having visited) and how it could be my top selection because there are so many splendid factors there that appeal to me. Then again, my views change very often and all the other schools have great factors as well!

I’ll be sure to post this in the other forums as well.

Thank you for your guidance!

2

Columbia and Dartmouth could not be more different. Check back after Junior grades and some test scores.

3

I would suggest you also look at Northwestern (because of your interest in double-majoring in a STEM program and music performance).

4

Not sure how Columbia, Yale UPenn & Dartmouth would be a “fit” for one person. Dartmouth and Princeton, maybe. Columbia and Penn, sure, etc. Also, there are SO many other schools that are great for pre-meds and music… ranging from Oberlin to U of Rochester and so much in between. Explore, discover, you’ve got 2 years yet.

5

Your job right now is really to learn as much as you can about those colleges, from what they say and show, not make assumptions about what it takes to get an admit. Each is different and wants/needs certain things in its student body. Most tippy tops are not like high school in the particulars that make a kid a Top Dawg- or top contender. It’s kind of silly to ask about early apps in the beginning of 10th grade.

On top of that, you’re stating what YOU want. You do get to choose the schools to apply to. But they choose the kids they want to admit. Be wise. Learn what they expect. If you’d begun the research I suggest, you wouldn’t be asking general questions. Nor do I think you’d be pointing to D based on gut.

All the tippy tops look for a level of thinking, evidenced in actions.

Tell us your 3 year gpa, rigor, scores and ECs, impact. Can’t do that in October of 10th.