<p>Hey long time reader, first time poster here on CC. I am hoping someone here will be able to offer a few suggestions for schools to look into. </p>
<p>Here is my situation: I am unlike most posters here on CC that have incredible test scores, but I do however have a very solid transcript and have had a nice balance of EC's and work experience. I would simply like to know of a few match /reach schools that I should aim for. </p>
<p>I am a white male from Ohio looking to study chemistry or economics. I am looking for a medium-sized college, public or private it does not matter, somewhere in the Southeast or Northeast part of the country. The University of Arizona is a glaring exception to my list as I have nice family support in the area.</p>
<p>My current list:
College of Charlestion - applied to Honors program, one of my top choices.
U of Arizona - applied
U of North Carolina (Chapel-Hill) - not applied yet. I have always loved their campus and academic programs, but I am discouraged by my weak test scores.
Ohio State - not applied yet. Will more than likely be the only Ohio school I am applying to. </p>
<p>Stats:
Ohio residence
Public School
Major: Chemistry or Economics
ACT: 30 (28 En, 33 Math, 31 Read, 27 Science)
SAT: 1250 (630V, 620M)
GPA: UW: 4.0 W: 4.11
Rank: 1/289
3 AP's - US history (3), European History, Calculus AB
Taking rigorous schedule including an Advanced Chemistry class that has to be similar to AP Chem that is not offered. </p>
<p>Varsity Golf - Captain Sr. Year
NHS
Some volunteer work
Work: Winter 20 hrs/week --Electronics store
Summer 25 hrs/week - Golf Course</p>
<p>My high school is not exactly a riveting experience but I do make the most of it and hopefully this shines through. </p>
<p>I would appreciate some comments on a few reach schools to aim for. Thanks!</p>
<p>university of virginia (13,000 students)
university of richmond (3,000)
duke university (6,000)
miami university of ohio (9,000)
northeastern university (14,000)</p>
<p>I hope you get into UNC, I know a valedictorian with similar tests from Ohio who now goes there so don't give up all hope. Miami Ohio is good but also is pretty conservative and "sheltered," so I am not sure if thats your bag. Look at Emory, I would have recommended ED, but you still have a shot RD. Finally, Wake Forest is another reach you might like. BTW- I recommend transferring into UNC if you don't get in. Its such an awesome school and transferring in is pretty easy compared to out of state freshman as there is no quota.</p>
<p>I appreciate the suggestions guys. I intended to say that my SAT is low in comparison to my rank. These responses give me a bit of confidence to work on my applications and hopefully produce a solid representation of myself through them. Anyone else struggle to throughly explain what type of person you are through a few pieces of paper? In the next week or so, I am going to try and finalize my list and have options at a variety of GREAT colleges. (I hope!)</p>
<p>By the way Cangel, my golf game isn't exactly top notch. Averaging high 70s is not going to get me anywhere! Recently my car was broken into and I had nearly everything stolen, including a VERY comfortable set of clubs. So for now, until I can get a new set, I am out of luck.</p>
<p>Well, if you go to a Southern school, you may not play on the team, but you'll get plenty of opportunities to lose some golf balls ;). Start looking for a used set of clubs!</p>
<p>from a fellow ohioan, your scores aren't low even compared to your rank. You say you want no more ohio schools, so I take it case western and miami are out? I agree with Duke and JHU. Are you interested in liberal arts schools, or just universities? Any more specific info about what you want would be helpful</p>
<p>Celebrian - I am leaning more towards a university, but that does not rule out a LAC altogether. I also have not / will not take the SATII's. I am looking to get out of Ohio just for a new experience. While living in Central Ohio is not bad by any means, I would love to attend college elsewhere. A medium or medium-large student body seems best for me, and as you can see from my choices as a possible major (Chemistry or Economics!), I am fairly indecisive. </p>
<p>I have decided to find two more, to up my application total to 6.
3 Safety/Match's (OSU, Arizona, and C of C)
1 Match/Reach (UNC)
2 Others (? and ?)</p>
<p>Emory
U of Georgia
Clemson
U of Florida
Wake Forest
NC State</p>
<p>I might need SATII's for Emory and Wake Forest, UVA is already out because of that.</p>
<p>Do any on the above list seem to be particularily fitting from the small amount of information I have provided? </p>
<p>I really appreciate the responses, a post like this provides a bit of support on this tough task of narrowing down college choices.</p>
<p>You could retake SATs after some cramming and see if you could bump them up a little... though yours are not terrible by a long shot.</p>
<p>You might have an edge at a LAC that was formerly a womens' college-- Vassar, Sarah Lawrence, Goucher, etc-- they want to equalize their M/F numbers, so males have an advantage.</p>
<p>In the Northeast, your SATs will be a little low for these schools, but take a look at them nevertheless: Lehigh, Lafayette, Trinity, Colgate, Hamilton, Holy Cross, Bucknell, Middlebury, Tufts, Wesleyan, Bowdoin -- More likely choices for you: Bates, Franklin & Marshall, Gettysburg, Macalester, Villanova, Loyola, Union and Syracuse.</p>
<p>As a general rule, for a safety you want your SATs to be way up in the top 25% of the school's range, a match would be in top half.</p>
<p>Try the book "Colleges that Change Lives," by Loren Pope. Talks about several schools with strong programs and great grad school/life results that are not as selective as the better-known schools. I think Juniata was very strong in sciences.</p>