Hi guys, thanks for replying! Here’s the problem: my parents want me to apply to Scripps College early decision, and although I have a good chance of getting in, I really REALLY REALLY would not like to commit there. It’s a great school and all, but I’m afraid I won’t have any friends when I get in. I want to have choices and everything, and this isn’t exactly my dream school (a girl who wants to do chem/chem engineering in an all girls liberal arts school? how about no lol).
But next problem: I have an awkward profile. I have a poor GPA (3.75 uw) and ok test scores (highest composite SAT: 2210, superscore 2220; sat 2 chem 770 that I will retake along with math along in october (because I’m sure I didn’t get an 800 there either)). I’m just an awkward student overall, and I want to apply early action to things like UMich, Santa Clara U, and Caltech just for fun (i have a lot of science ec’s but I won’t list them here).
Can anyone help me with my earlies? Thank you so much!
please help 
i’m a rising senior and i dont have much time left
Scripps actually has a fairly strong engineering program. Many students choose to come to Scripps for engineering since the ratio is less skewed towards men as other programs (since it’s a shared program with Pitzer and CMC, it’s about half/half), has small class sizes, and the professors are very invested in their students. A decent amount of engineering majors get REU positions and other research positions while still at Scripps. The engineering/physics/math majors at Scripps often work on homework together and there are events centered around nerd culture hosted by groups like Get Your Nerd On and Socializing with Scientists, making it easy to make friends in those groups, and Scripps has mentor programs to help with making friends in general.
In terms of ED, its meant to be for students who are sure about their commitment. While ED students do in fact have a higher acceptance rate, it also tends to be more competitive students, so while it might help your chances slightly, it isn’t going to help enough to make it worth making a binding decision to a school you’re not sure about.
Two things (and I realize that you don’t mean it this way 
but a 2200 on the SAT puts you in the top 1% of all test takers…so to apologize for it and call it an “ok” score is a bit disingenuous.
That said, only apply ED to a school that everybody in your family agrees is a good move…otherwise EA and RD are your friends.
@SouthernHope thanks so much! i’ll try to convince my parents to either let me do ed 2 for scripps, or just go in regular 
Obviously, you don’t apply to ED to a school that you have set your mind against. So, back up and take this piece by piece.
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i dont have much time left
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Actually, you do. At this stage of the college process, my D1 had a firm list of 6 ‘definite’ colleges, including an ED and 2 EAs. Four months later she applied ED to 1 college, EA to another, and RD to 5 others: NONE of which were on her list in June. So, take Douglas Adam’s advice: Don’t panic.
- In our house, once you get to 3 excuses for not doing something, it is assumed that the person just really doesn't want to do it. Given your specific objections- 'I won't have any friends', 'I want to have choices' 'a girl who wants to do chem/chem engineering in an all girls liberal arts school'- I'm going to hazard a guess that you have some very specific ideas about the kind of girls who go to Scripps and that it is not you. So, arguments about how good women's colleges are for women in science, or how LACs can be great places to get started in science, or consortium classes that have boys, etc. aren't going to hold water with you.
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I'm just an awkward student overall
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I found this a really interesting piece of your post. I don’t see anything awkward here either: this was a solid UMichigan admit profile in my D’s school, and a girl interested in chem was not seen as either a rare bird or awkward (and actually, one girl with that profile went to UMichigan then transferred sophomore year to Cornell).
- You haven't mentioned costs, so be certain - as in ask very specifically "are there any limits on college costs?"- don't assume.
- If your parents are pushing you hard for Scripps, be sure you understand what it is about Scripps that matters to them: do they think that it is the most competitive school you will get into? do they want you in an all-girl school? do they teach there and get a huge discount on the tuition? the more you understand about their position the better. And please, ask them these questions directly: too often, kids think they know what parents think and are mistaken. And even if you are right, the discussion about why the parent thinks something can be fruitful: sometimes parents (gasp!) evolve in their thinking, in part through discussion with their young adult child. The maturity with which you ask these questions, listen to the responses and engage in a constructive dialogue can be very persuasive. This I know from experience!
So, my suggestion (fwiw) is to start with a blank slate and think about what you want from your college experience- including what sort of grad school you might possibly be interested in. Start with the basics: how near/far from home; how big/small; university or LAC. How much does perceived ‘prestige’ matter to you? what kind of environment are you happiest in? does climate matter to you? Question your own assumptions: what is it about school X in particular that you like? Why is an LAC a bad idea?** What are the things that matter most to you?Then start a list of colleges from scratch, with a specific reason next to each one, and then discuss with your parents and/or come on back here and get more feedback
**full disclosure: D2 is very happily doing physics at an LAC; she has had paid research jobs both summers (this summer at UChicago); already has a publication in a peer-reviewed journal, been to national conferences, etc. She gets great advising and support, and will be in a great position to go to a top-drawer grad school. Note also that REUs are encouraged to give preference to students at institutions that have fewer research opportunities.
@collegemom3717 thanks so much for your thorough response! at the moment, my parents really don’t have that much trouble in regards to college costs, but would like me to stay instate unless an OOS offers something better. at the moment, scripps is a viable school for us, but we might be looking at second round of ED instead of first round (so i can find another school to apply to, or just see if i can hook on anything for early action). I am pretty skeptical about going to an LAC, so I will go over the idea with my parents.
You shouldn’t apply to scripps ED if you don want to go there. You should perhaps apply to Caltech and then look into colleges you would enjoy and be comfortable in. Without liking a school, it is hard to succeed
@andyis thanks! caltech has early action, so the entire thing is kind of a matter of pride for me (i may not even go on the off chance i get accepted). it’s also another reason why i’m contemplating ed 2 for scripps so i can have wiggle room for eas. also, what are my chances of getting accepted in to caltech with my scores listed there? i am sure i will get 800 on both my subjects tests in october.
Cal tech will value your science EC over all. I can give you an approximation if you want.
For science, a 10(best) would be winning Intel science fair or publishing in nature/science etc
A 7 is publishing in any peer review journal as first author
A 5 would be getting to the semifinals in an olympiad or national science olympiad participant (perhaps captain of state science olympiad team? That’s more of a 4 for most states) or publishing as non first author
A 1 is being in science olympiad period (regional awards are usually not very impressive)
If you estimate yourself to have several 5s and above, you have a decent chance. With a 9/10, it is highly likely. With 3s, maybe, but very dreamy and unlikely.
That’s just an estimate btw that I guesstimated so it isn’t very accurate. It may or may not reassure your. Regardless, I suggest you apply
You don’t want to think" what if… " in 10 years. Follow what you want and live without regrets
@andyis yay thanks! I know that that’s a rough guesstimation, and my chances of getting in are still very slim, but thanks for trying!
My Science ECs are for the record (this is pretty watered down version, and does not go into much detail)
Science Olympiad: 3 gold medals, 1 silver medal from states. To become VP of events next year, and will be in charge of all event captains of the club.
Chemistry Olympiad: kind of complicated? I did labs in my free time while I was at school (for practice and experience). I did manage to become one of the top 2 scorers in my school, but for some reason, the cutoff for our section was way too high and both of us couldn’t make it to the national exam.
Some summer stuff: planning to take Organic Chem at a Community College.
I think you have enough for a decent chance. Chem olympiad and science olympiad will definitely be useful, with science olympiad as a double role in leadership. Chem olympiad (unfortunate that your section was high cutoffs: /) shows your passion in chem and shows that you have a goal in life which is good.
Good luck! Hopefully you can convey your passions in your essay. I’m not sure about caltech (too much chance involved:P) but I think you can get into a school that you are comfortable with and would enjoy. Good luck with the college search. Feel free to ask questions anytime, the transition from high school is pretty confusing (basically in the same situation as you, with a passion in chem so I would know lol)