Evaluate my list, need opinions

Chance Me / Match Me!
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<p>Ok here is my college list so far. I want to kinda finalize it a little since I have a meeting with my counselor next week. Here are some stats. SAT: 720 650 650 (math reading and new writing respectfully) for a total just above 2000. ACT was only 27, I may retake...could do better. My GPA is right around 3.2 :(. I go to a small (11 in my class) midwestern school and my courseload is challenging for the school (I can post my schedule if requested..). My school does not rank. I am african american. At the following schools I will either be applying for ChemE or MechE. I have visited McGill (my #1), all the Boston schools (including Tufts in Medford and WPI in Worchester. Schools with stars are places that I am not sure I should apply to. My EC's are a little weak. While I have done many school-related service things - outside school I don't do much besides tennis. I read books, many technical online forums (I am an A+ Cert. Computer tech), political forums, and also car forums. Another negative are my freshman year grades (which are anchoring my GPA unfortunately). I was at a larger east coast private high school and may have had a harder time adjusting from my tiny middle school.</p>

<p>McGill University
Tufts University
University of British Columbia (UBC)
University of Waterloo (Ontario)*
Tulane University (got a Personal App from them, seems interesting)
Carnegie Mellon University* (I like CMU, they even had a student call me, but do I stand a chance?)
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign*
Northeastern University
Boston University
WPI
Case Western Reserve University*
Purdue University
Concordia University (Montreal)*
Iowa State University</p>

<p>I am looking for any comments. I feel that I need more match/safe schools. I am not afraid to go far from home - there are no distance restrictions. However aside from New Orleans I would not like to be in the south.</p>

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<p>you're right--you do! go for case, you have a realllllly good shot. and purdue needs minorities, you'll probably get money there, and its a really good school. how about univ. of minnesota? i think you have an awesome chance there. have you considered any of the SUNYs if you want northeast? university of maine is another one--you'll get in, its beautiful and has great engineering. keep looking, set your sights high but be realistic, you have to get in!</p>

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<p>Minnesota? Sounds cold (then again so is Boston), but since you are the second person to recommend it I'll take a look!</p>

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<p>minnesota is the same as boston only prettier! the snow is actually white bc people care about the environment! id definitely consider it, remember, a lot of your schools arent quite in range for you.</p>

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<p>any other suggestions from anyone?</p>

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<p>...bump? :)</p>

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<p>Hey, Boston's not so bad 'round winter time! Sorry, personal bias. However, for my area's schools, I would say you stand a fairly good chance with BU and Northeastern (who don't have too many Midwestern applicants). Tufts would perhaps be a reach, but they have surprised me before. I would definitely try McGill too, as I think diversity and alternative I suppose educational experiences are that much more appealing. For the rest of the schools, I am not too sure. </p>

<p>Do you know what you want to major in? Sciences? Sounded like you were of the computing persuasion. That'd be helpful too.</p>

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<p>Yeah, I am into computing - I am actually A+ certified. I would major in either Chemical engineering or Mechanical engineering. McGill is my undisputed #1. Tufts is a bigish reach but I loved it there also. If McGill had not been brought to my attention a few years back I'd apply there ED I in a heartbeat.</p>