Do I need to add more "match" schools?

College Search & Selection
1

Hello friends

I’m very concerned that I may not have applied to enough match schools. I applied to a lot of safety-ish schools and a lot of reach schools, but not much in between. I’d appreciate any help ASAP so I can make the January 15th deadlines.

I have a good but not outstanding GPA (97.3/100, Class rank is 12/106, toughest possible courses)
SAT: 750M 750CR 800W
I have subject tests but they were kind of atrocious. I am retaking them in January but I’d prefer not to send them unless they are required.
Really good ECs in my opinion (you can look around in my chance threads for details if you want)
Published research
National Merit Commended, AP Scholar with Distinction

And here is where I applied:

Safety - Scranton (accepted with merit), Siena (accepted with merit), NYIT (accepted with merit)

Match (?) - SUNY Binghamton (Accepted), SUNY Stony Brook (accepted), Fordham (accepted, forgot to check if I got merit lol), RIT

Reach - Princeton, Columbia, Penn, Tufts, Vandy

I feel like all of my match schools were low matches and I’m nervous about it. I wanted to apply to RPI but it is very expensive and it seems like they don’t give a lot of money, which is a big factor for my family. The RPI deadline is Jan 15, so let me know what your opinions are and if you think I should apply. I am also considering WPI, whose deadline is Feb 1.

If you guys can suggest any schools that you think would fit me or if you think I should just stop worrying about it and let Jesus take the wheel, please let me know! I’m a girl applying for computer science/engineering, btw. Also I can’t really stray far from the Northeast. My parents were kind of pissed off that I even applied to Vanderbilt. Thank you for your help :slight_smile:

2

What schools have Jan 15 deadlines that you are considering?

3

RPI and maybe Marist because of the nearly 100% job placement rate for computer science grads. I’m kind of looking at Fairfield because of the software engineering major, but I know Fairfield is sort of a safety. I was also told to look at Union College and Lafayette by my guidance counselors. I don’t really know though. If you could suggest a few that would be great.

4

If you don’t want to go to any of the schools you have already gotten into, then yes you should apply more widely. You’ll probably get into Tufts and Vandy and you may even get into the others but it is not entirely certain. I’ve known many students in public universities who spent the 4 years resenting the fact they ended up there. That isn’t necessarily a commentary about the quality but students often prefer going elsewhere. If you’d prefer that, I suggest applying to a few more matches. You are correct that being a female means that there may be fewer applicants than if male but the applicants are stronger in many instances.

5

I’m just nervous about the whole thing. I planned on going to Siena and I was really excited about it, but then I sent out more applications after getting my December SAT scores back. I like the reach schools I applied to, but I’m just really worried because one of my teachers told me I shouldn’t go to Siena because I’m “too good” and “kids with 2300s don’t go to Siena”, which I think is total BS but it’s starting to get to me now. I really wanted to go to Siena and I was still planning on going there if rejected by my reaches, but now I’m hyperaware of the huge gap in prestige between my reaches and my matches. I wish prestige didn’t matter, because I adore Siena and got a lot of money and accepted into the honors program, but I feel like people are judging me about wanting to go there.

I like Tufts and Vanderbilt a lot and I think I have a decent shot, but they still kinda fall under the reach for everyone category. I also adore Princeton and Penn, but let’s not even go there. I’m trying to prepare myself for rejection.

6

RPI and Union could be good additions for you, especially should you come to think you would like a direct engineering program, which is not available at Siena. A couple of your reaches would not be as strong in engineering as RPI. The last stage of your process really depends on what you might want in a college.

7

Thank you… I just don’t think RPI is financially possible for me. I’m a twin so cost is a major factor

8

Yes, of course, that’s important to consider. RPI does make USNWR’s, “Great Schools, Great Prices,” however, so access their NPC if you haven’t done so already. They’d be likely to recognize you with at least some merit award. Too late for URochester?

9

I 2nd the UofRochester idea over RPI. It is a better school overall. Better known. Stronger. They used to accept on a rolling basis. Not sure about now.

10

I think your matches are safeties!

RPI
Franklin & Marshall
Haverford
Skidmore
Bryn Mawr

all from super match w your stats plus computer science

11

Remember, the OP is interested in computer science/engineering.

12

I believe you may be too late for the U of R but I would certainly call admissions and ask if they are still accepting applications. Also, look at Case Western Reserve - deadline is Jan 15, no application fee or supplemental essay. Can be pricey but also can give some big merit.

13

Union would be another safety. Villanova, Lafayette, Lehigh could be strong matches.

14

These might be good stem schools that are matches, imo-Lehigh, Lafayette, Univ of Rochester, Bucknell, Union. Based on your list of schools, I think you were selling yourself short. You’re female wanting to go into Engineering. Your SAT score is amazing. I bet there is merit money for you. There’s a list somewhere here with schools that offer merit aid.

15

I was thinking Northeastern, but I think it’s too late.

I was under the impression that RPI gives a lot of money to top students.

Stony Brook has a great Computer Science program. It’s cheap, too. I wouldn’t feel bad about going there if you don’t get enough money anywhere else.

16

RPI isn’t as strong as many others you have listed. I’d 2nd “Lehigh, Lafayette, Univ of Rochester, Bucknell, Union” Case.

17

I would have recommended a couple schools like Rochester or Case Western, but I don’t know if it’s too late now. Princeton, Columbia, and Penn are crap shoots. You should have a good shot at Tufts and Vanderbilt, but you ought to have more than 2 applications between super reaches and safeties.

18

“I wish prestige didn’t matter” (#4)

Agreed. The concept of prestige can interfere with a student’s capacity to make a simple, sincere decision.

19

I’m looking for a school with a strong entrepreneurship program, maybe a minor.
I’m also strongly considering Bucknell, now it’s just a matter of convincing my parents to let me send more applications. I was planning to apply to Case, but my parents said it was too far away.

20

I’m thinking Bucknell and Bryn Mawr. Thoughts?