Finalizing list, don't have money to visit all, please feedback

College Search & Selection
1

<p>Alright, as November is quickly approaching I believe I have FINALLY (after nearly two years) narrowed down a college list that will fit my criteria as well as my academics. </p>

<p>Some of my necessities were:</p>

<p>-Vibrant Social Life. Didn't want to be longing to come home out of boredom.</p>

<p>-Strong academics. Didn't have to be the best, but I wanted a school that had a good name throughout the nation or world.</p>

<p>-Diversity. Wanted my school to have a diverse student background, that included ethnicities, religions, etc, in a place where the majority likes to mix.</p>

<p>-Mid sized to large. My minimum was at least around 5000-7000, I like to meet a lot of people.</p>

<p>-Strong programs in psychology, business, or international programs (psychology wasn't too hard, and most schools have good business programs).</p>

<p>-I prefer warm weather, but some schools were worth sacrificing.</p>

<p>With that said my stats real quickly are as followed:
- Black Male from Northern NJ
- Ranked like 10/91 (should I up when weighted)
- GPA 3.9 W (will be 4.1+ by end of this marking period or next)
- SAT 1970 (will get a 2100 in oct)
ECs:
-Track and field freshman year medaled.</p>

<p>-Over 200+ community service hours with church.</p>

<p>-Various church groups.</p>

<p>-DECA treasurer 11, 12</p>

<p>-YAC member 11, (not sure If im doing 12th)</p>

<p>-Worked a job since 14 20+ hours a week (even though I don't think I was legally supposed to lol)</p>

<p>-Worked in real estate office 40+ hours a week junior summer</p>

<p>-Other small things</p>

<p>Recs will be excellent one from my spanish AP teacher who has watched me learn spanish, and write better then most native speakers. Other from chem teacher who I have a great relationship with. If I get anymore they will from my history teachers as they too are really cool with me. Also thinking about getting a supp rec from my boss whom I've worked with for nearly 3 years.</p>

<p>With all that being said, I also plan to take the SAT IIs (not sure which subjects, thinking history and lit and possibly something else) as well as the ACT. Projected around a 28-32 on the ACT, pretty strong in the topics covered on that.</p>

<p>My schools so far I've got:</p>

<p>Reach:
USC
Rice</p>

<p>Low Reach/Match:
McGill University
University of Miami (EA)
Vanderbilt</p>

<p>Safety:
Penn State University - U Park</p>

<p>I figure if i do well on my ACT/SAT II then I should be able to consider Rice a low reach.</p>

<p>So what does everyone think? I think I covered everything I wanted, and I don't see many other colleges fulfilling most criteria (with the exception of rice that has only around 3k people).</p>

2

<p>I've also ben considering umich ann harbor and unc chapel hill, but I don't know how well they fit into my paradigm of a shool would be a good fit for me.</p>

3

<p>I kind of like your list -- EXCEPT if you have any desire for "warm" weather at all, you really should reconsider McGill. Seriously, you could not go to school anyplace colder. I am from Rochester NY - and we ski in Montreal - and it is SUPER cold up there. I mean, it makes Rochester feel like Bermuda.</p>

<p>Do you need merit money, or can you afford any school with either need-based financial aid or full pay?</p>

4

<p>while reading your post, miami was the first school that came to mind. meets your criteria perfectly.
great shot at all. good luck.</p>

5

<p>I realize mcgill is rather cold but it exceeds criteria in all other areas so I made an exception just as in the case of rice's population.</p>

<p>Also UCSB seems great, but rather lacking in diversity. Anyone know?</p>

<p>Also yes I would apply for some aid, so that went into the decision making process. I know rice and miami give good aid and although penn state isn't particularly renowned for it its far cheaper than the others for oos. Why?</p>

6

<p>I don't know specifically about Penn State's pricing, but really, you have very nice stats and URM status, I'd add a few more reachy schools. I think you'd be a great catch.</p>

7

<p>I was considering that but I mean what schools still have that great social life (I do understand all schools have this but not just in terms of parties but also things to do on or off campus, the crowd, setting, etc.) While maintening the good academics besides the aforementioned?</p>

8

<p>I was going to suggest USC as soon as I read what you were looking for; so me thinks you're right on the money with that one. Good luck, I am applying there too this year!!</p>

9

<p>Thanks :), USC does sound good, as well as Miami so they are definitely in my top two schools.</p>

10

<p>Also, can anyone tell me a little bit about schools like Northwestern/Emory, I'm not really interested but some people have suggested them to me. I think I've almost got a complete idea of what I want.</p>

11

<p>Ok after a lot of deliberation I believe I finally have a feasible list with enough reaches/safeties/matches that I like almost the same, so I'll be happy wherever I go. My final list is as follows let me know what you think:</p>

<ol>
<li>U miami</li>
<li>Ucsb</li>
<li>Mcgill</li>
<li>Vanderbilt</li>
<li>Penn state</li>
<li>Usc</li>
<li>Rice</li>
</ol>

<p>U mich ann harbor I'm on the fence about but I'm leaning towards no. I think I've got a nice spread of schools now I just need to start researching them. Anyone have any other valuable resources I can use on this hunt? Thanks in advance.</p>

12

<p>Dpnt wanna keep bumping or making new threads so ill just post here. For my schools (excluding mcgill) none of them need sat iis, but I plan on taking the act to remedy that in case policies change or something. My question is would it be more salutory for my app to use the act or sat for my selected schools if the scores are roughly the same?</p>

13

<p>Rice requires SAT II's.</p>

14

<p>Ah, so I can't give the ACT instead? Rice is on my lower spectrum though so I'm not sure if I'm willing to take them for a school i'm not dead set on.</p>

15

<p>UCSB and all UC campuses for that matter will require the following:</p>

<p>"If you apply as a freshman for the fall 2008 term, you must take two SAT Subject Tests and the ACT Assessment plus Writing or SAT Reasoning Test no later than December 2007."</p>

<p>If you're going to apply to UCSB, might as well add UCLA and some other UCs since it's the same application to boost your chances.</p>

16

<p>What the hell, jesus christ what's with these SAT IIs. Now I'm pretty sure I might as well just take the SAT IIs and just say screw the ACT. I guess that would save me time too.</p>

<p>Ugh this is ridiculous, so I guess I should probably take Lit and History? I'm good at english and literature as well as interpreting things, and history i've never really considered a subject, I kind of just absorb whats said, however, what type of level history are we talking? This is so annoying >_<. So let me get this straight, I have to take the SAT IIs with the ACT or are they saying the ACT with writting OR the Sat with SAT IIs?</p>

<p>If this is the case, I'm thinking maybe I should add some tougher schools, I mean if I take the SAT IIs I plan on scoring at least a 650+ hopefully 700+ so I mean would it be worth maybe adding some 20-30 schools in there? Damn this is back through the cycle again >_<.</p>

17

<p>^ LOL...go to a community college for two years. Save your money, and you avoid all this nonsense.</p>

18

<p>Nah not at all, I enjoy this "nonsense" it is my future at stake here.</p>