Finding Safeties

College Search & Selection
1

<p>I am a high school senior in the process of creating a final college list heading into the school year. Before I get to my problem, here is a quick summary of who I am as a student:</p>

<p>SAT: 2320
SAT II: 740 Lit, 720 Latin
GPA: 4.0 UW (Very Challenging Private School in Maryland, Many AP classes)
Rank: No Official Rank, but inducted to Cum Laude (top 10% of class)
AP: 5 Latin, 5 Physics, 4 French, 3 Chem</p>

<p>ECs
Volleyball (1 year JV, 3 year Varsity, Captain Senior Year, won championship as Junior)
Lacrosse (1 year F/S, 1 year JV)
Singer in A Capella Group (4 years)
Singer in Glee Club (4 years)
Actor in Spring Musical (4 years in HS, 2 years in Middle School)
Habitat for Humanity Club (Co-founder and Leader 2 years)
Co-Leader of Film Festival (2 years)
Film Club Member (4 years)
Spirit Club Member (4 years)
Chess Club Member (2 years)</p>

<p>Community Service
100 Hours of Habitat for Humanity (Requirement for school is 50)</p>

<p>Other
Entered in School Film festival 3 years, won 3 prizes (best middle school film, 2nd best drama, best cinematography)
Freshman Class President, Sophomore Class Vice President
Several School Book Awards
PSAT National Merit Semifinalist (231)
Honor Roll (4 Years)</p>

<p>So here is my situation. There are several schools that I am interested in, namely (not necessarily in this order):
Yale
Dartmouth
UPenn
Columbia
Duke
Northwestern
UChicago
Virginia</p>

<p>And while I will probably narrow down these choices to 4-5 (I am a legacy at Virginia and since it is public I will apply there early no matter what), my biggest concern is the fact that I don't really have any safety schools (beside UVa which is more of a match than a safety).</p>

<p>I am fully aware that all the schools on my list are top-tier, and in the very likely case that these schools fall through, I would like to know what schools I should look at as matches and safeties. Maybe Vanderbilt or Davidson or something like that? Thanks</p>

2

<p>Vanderbilt is selective, but a very good choice. To chose your safeties, it helps to look at mid or slightly lower ranked schools that are good for your major, since they usually have higher acceptance rates(safety) yet are good enough to be somewhere you would like to go to college. </p>

3

<p>You have great stats, but these are all super selective schools. A school like Vandy would be a good addition.
I’d also try to apply to at least one school that has non-binding EA or rolling admission so you know for sure that you are in before the end of December…perhaps Tulane? </p>

4

<p>Lehigh, George Washington, Northeastern, and Penn State are good. 30% acceptance and up(relatively low, but still pretty good for students with stats like that) </p>

5

<p>UMDCP as your true safety? You’ll probably get a lot of merit aid as well. Also with your stats, you’re likely to get into UMich (and you’ll hear before the end of December), but make sure you can pay for it. So you can apply to those early no matter what since, well, they’re public.</p>

<p>If you’re open to more non-binding EA, I second adding Tulane. I also suggest adding BC, which you’ll probably get into as well. As long as Yale’s not your first choice, I think this would be a good idea. You can apply ED to any of your other options (barring Yale) as well.</p>

<p>I’d say Vanderbilt and Davidson are matches for you.</p>

6

<p>How much can your family afford? A safety must be affordable. For instance you’d probably be full pay at Penn State. And NO school with a 10% selection rate (Vandy) is a match.</p>

7

<p>If you want a true safety in every sense of the term, look into University of Oklahoma. It actually has quite a strong academic reputation, particularly its honor college. You’d receive a full ride (for five years), a stipend, special housing options, $2,000 to study abroad, $2,000 to buy electronics, and pretty much guaranteed admission into the Honors College based on your status as a NMSF. Plus it has an admissions rate over 80%. There’s a reason OU has the greatest number of National merit Scholars per capita of any public university. Its package for NMSF and NMF is incredible. Here’s their package for OOS students:
<a href=“http://www.ou.edu/content/dam/recruitment/NMpackage_NonResidentsEntering2014.pdf”>http://www.ou.edu/content/dam/recruitment/NMpackage_NonResidentsEntering2014.pdf&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

8

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<p>But, you are OOS, so it can’t be a safety. </p>

<p>How much will your family pay each year? Have they run the NPC’s on various schools’ websites? If not, have them run the NPC on UVA’s website. </p>

<p>Penn State will likely be full cost.</p>

<p>There are a number of schools that give huge merit for being NMF, apply to a couple of them.</p>

<p>What is your major and career goal?</p>

9

<p>Update: Thanks guys for all the response. Cost of college (thankfully) is not an issue for me, so Financial Aid is not a factor in my selection process</p>

10

<p>I know plenty of people who also had no worries when it came to paying for college. However, I think it’s very wise to apply to at least one college that you could go to for free since you’ve got that option. I know people who turned down spots at Harvard and Yale to go to OU for free. It’s always nice to have an option that will be free, even if you don’t plan on attending. You never know where you’ll be a year from now. Look at some schools at which you would be eligible for full-rides and pick one to apply to. That way, you have an acceptance to one free college on your list. </p>