Do I need "safeties," if so, where?

College Search & Selection
1

<p>Hey. First off, I live in SoCal.
rank 2/750
SAT 2240 (690reading, 760math, 790 writing)
ACT 33
taken hardest classes available, will have 12 AP by grad
GPA 4.63 W, 4.0UW
probably about 300 hours of community service, with a bunch of clubs and whatnot. Pres of 3.
have about 21 units at local CC</p>

<p>My list
USC
Vanderbilt
Duke
Stanford
UCLA
Penn
UT
maybe UNC
And probably like... Harvard or Princeton for kicks. I doubt I have a shot, but I wouldnt mind going there. (ya I'm one of those people ;) )</p>

<p>pretty much in that order too
I know I should have Safeties, I just don't know which schools.
Just random UC's? (but I would not Want to go to SD I or Berkeley, even though its not a safety)</p>

<p>THANKS!!!</p>

2

<p>UT is a safety. But you might want a better one. Random UCs would be good. UCSD or UCLA or Berkeley would be better than UTexas.</p>

<p>Especially because your critical reading score is low.</p>

<p>Also: Rice, UVA, although one might be hard pressed to call them true safeties.</p>

3

<p>UCLA can be a safety
considering u have good credentials uCLA is easy as hell for in-state</p>

4

<p>You're in state with those stats, UCLA is your safety.</p>

5

<p>I'm pretty sure, with those stats, and if you really want to go to USC and show interest, USC is your safety. (That's your first choice, right?)</p>

6

<p>USC cannot be a safety for anyone, but I agree that UCLA can be since you're in-state. Add another UC school just in case. Take a look, also, at the UC acceptance rates from your high school. In my high school, so many people are accepted into Cal that if your rank is high enough, even Cal can be considered a safety. I wonder if it is the same at your school.</p>

<p>The question is, will you be happy at your safety schools? If you say yes, then you're set.</p>

7

<p>Well I would be miserable at Cal</p>

<p>BUT I could definetely live with UCLA</p>

<p>But UT... I doubt I'll end up apply to UT or UNC.</p>

<p>I just needed some more schools. </p>

<p>I am pretty sure I can get into UCLA (after seeing the people from my school accepted), just not sure baout other schools</p>

<p>I just want a school thats strong academically, but not afraid to have fun</p>

8

<p>UT is insane fun.</p>

9

<p>I think the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor might be a school you might want to look into. Although it can get a little cold compared to southern cal.</p>

10

<p>UT is not and never should be considered a safety for anyone out of state.</p>

11

<p>UT would only be if i get into BHP
but I am probably going to not even end up applying to Texas or Penn...</p>

<p>so i just need more colleges in general!</p>

12

<p>Looks like you want schools that have bigtime sports, and are good academically but not known for an oppressive workload. A few that fit that model that haven't been mentioned: Northwestern, Notre Dame, Georgetown, Virginia, Boston College, Wisconsin.</p>

13

<p>If you like Duke, you might consider Cornell too. Your stats are above the median there.</p>

14

<p>What a terrible piece of information. Northwestern is the epitome of oppressive workload with its quarter system and terrible social scene.</p>

15

<p>.... and Duke and Stanford are a walk in the park and there are fountains on campus that have a mixture of honey, chocolate, and beer.</p>

<p>NU is a great school. And I'm saying that as a Chicago kid.</p>

16

<p>I agree. I wouldn't say that NU has a "terrible social scene". </p>

<p>However, I also wouldn't say that it's a safety by any stretch. </p>

<p>In reality, if you know for sure that you'll get in, you only really need one safety. Maybe two for kicks. I'd say that when it comes to safeties, it would be ridiculous to go out of state, when CA has so many good schools for cheap. Apply to UCLA and maybe Davis. Those are the only safeties you really need.</p>