What you wrote in #19 would generally apply to the schools in the hoary NESCAC as well as they would to Dartmouth, perhaps even more so.
@seniorsenior2017
So: An older liberal arts college in the Northeast, bigger than your high school but still relatively small for university. That applies to about 200 universities and colleges. What was it about Dartmouth that was unique to you?
To be honest, it has always been a really special place for me because it was my mom’s dream school to go there but she didn’t end up there for college. I wanted to make her proud. I’ve also visited four times, so it’s the college I am familiar with the most (like the back side of my hand). Luckily I’m sure I can find schools I like just as much, judging by the fact there are 200 others like it. It was just a bit more sentimental and “homey” to me than the other colleges because of these things- that’s why it was so unique.
You could start with 50 and work your way from there:
http://www.businessinsider.com/the-50-smartest-colleges-in-america-2016-10
Hi everyone! So I just got back my new SAT scores, and I actually got a 1520/1600! Does this put me in a better shape for my reaches, like Brown or Georgetown? Also, I’ll be taking my SAT Subject Tests again and was wondering what scores I should reach for. Is a 700+ OK or will that be a sure rejection? Thank you all so much!
Nice SAT score! What is your GPA and ECs? People may be able to tell you whether you should go for all those reaches or not. Do you have something unique the Ivies might want? A special talent? In the meantime, what safeties do you like?
Your recent SAT would place you at ~ the 75th percentile for some of the most selective colleges in the country:
http://www.■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■/college-profiles-new-sat/
By this factor, your applications should be well received.
But remember you are still talking “Reach” schools. They are now reaches because they are so selective and not because you are not in the 75th percentile. Your new SAT scores definitely don’t hurt you but at Brown and Georgetown they are not exceptional scores (meaning they are not an exception they are the norm. Your scores are excellent and would be exceptional at most other schools.) Good luck. Hopefully you have some excellent schools you have applied to that you will be assured acceptance to and like another poster said a school you can also afford and want to attend.
look for a school that will be a good fit for you not just a “name” brand.
look at university of pittsburgh and butler university.
St Lawrence is a suggestion for good match/safety with overlapping vibe – athletic students, outdoorsy, winter sports.
The 1520 puts you more in play for the reach schools, but remember that they are still reaches.
I think if you want small NE schools with great student-prof interaction, looking at the NESCACs, Colgate and St. Lawrence (and maybe Bucknell, Lafayette, Holy Cross, Skidmore…) is a good idea.
Obviously Williams, Amherst, Hamilton, Bowdoin, Wes, Colgate and Colby are still reachy – reaches or low reaches. I think Bates, Bucknell, HC and Lafayette might be high matches and Trinity, Skidmore and Conn College are probably matches. St. Lawrence might be getting into low match territory.
A safety might be an in-state public school or a less selective private (you want an acceptance rate of at least 40%, i think – and your stats need to be well above average – before you can start to consider a school a safety).
Tell us about yourself and what you are looking for in a school.
@merc81 why do you always share that business week list? the ranking is so odd and off that it doesn’t seem right to share it with people looking for colleges
Re #32:
Huh? The ranking considers schools entirely by a standardized scoring comparison and would seem neither odd nor off. As to the reason it may be relevant, in proper context it may be the most direct tool available for students interested in researching schools within definable selectively ranges.
Yeah deciding that schools are “smarter” than others based on SAT scores seems off. Plus, it’s not hard to find a school that you like based on other factors (academics, culture, prestige) and then look at its median SAT.
Plus I think some of the scores are incorrect, and some schools have higher SATs but aren’t included in the ranking.
The “smarter” headline can fairly be interpreted as “off.” I’ve commented on this myself with different language in prior posts.
You can post accordingly for the benefit of the OP should you be able to offer input along these lines.
The full ordering from 2015 (not updated for 2016) appears to be both comprehensive and accurate when cross-referenced with standardized sources:
http://www.businessinsider.com/the-610-smartest-colleges-in-america-2015-9
@merc81 without questioning the validity of looking at “smart” schools, how does Bard College at Simon Rock make the top 75? It’s a very small test optional School with ok scores. And only a handful of kids even submitted scores.
Look at Bucknell, Colgate, Lehigh , Lafayette. Maybe Bates and Bowden too.
If you are interested in reaching for an Ivy, I would not try Brown. Brown’s applicant pool is tilted toward women. I would consider Cornell. Higher admit rate, and a much more balanced applicant pool.
You have a good shot to get into Lehigh, but be sure that you show interest. Did you visit Lehigh, contact the regional admissions person, or attend the presentation if they come to your school? If not, be sure to demonstrate interest.
You seem very impressive and I would encourage you to apply to another reach or two (like Georgetown), but you also need to apply to matches and especially safeties. It is also really hard to suggest school’s to you without knowing your uw and w gpa, the rigor of your classes, and your ECs.