do i need a safer safety?

College Search & Selection
1

<p>Stats:
White middleclass male, very good NJ public school
730M 760V 680W(Retaking)
800MathII 780Physics
Grades:
Freshman-84.5(one honors class, 84.5 is a rough estimate)
Sophomore-84.2(one honors class)
Junior-89.2(two honors one ap class)
Senior-two honors three ap classes
Rank: Top 30%
EC's:
Nothing amazing. Things to note include a pending patent, president/founder of Computer Club, Ranked top 5% of new jersey science league for first year physics students.</p>

<p>I have had some serious family problems which i plan to write about- and im not some melodramatic kid whining about a divorce or something, im talking about some legitimate long term serious problems.</p>

<p>The least selective schools i will apply to are UIUC(out of state), Rutgers, TCNJ, and Union or Connecticut College</p>

<p>is this safe enough? Thanks</p>

2

<p>UIUC is difficult to get in if you're looking to study engineering. I'd say it would actually be a reach if you're out of state. I live in IL, and it's considered an accomplishment to be admitted to the program in itself.</p>

3

<p>I should have said that im not engineering. I plan to do physics.</p>

4

<p>You should be able to get into all those colleges you listed, with those test scores I would say UIUC is a safety for you.</p>

5

<p>I don't know, Rutgers seems kind of far-fetched for in state.</p>

6

<p>UIUC is a reach with your class rank even with the high SAT score (it does not consider SAT II scores for admission). Be aware that the Physics Department at UIUC is part of the College of Engineering which will make the decision to admit and you need to meet the same levels in class rank/test scores as those usually admitted to engineering majors. TCNJ, Union and Conneticut are matches but should not really be considered safeties. Rutgers is likely a safety.</p>

7

<p>your test scores are good, but your grades and number of advanced classes are much lower than the average applicant at conn college</p>

8

<p>blah - which school do you go to? If it truly is a known, competitive school, your grades would be justified.</p>

9

<p>My school is not good enough to justify my grades. I live in a upper-middle class central NJ suburb.</p>

10

<p>Hm, me too. Near Princeton?</p>