Good safeties for me?

College Search & Selection
1

<p>I have a pretty long list of colleges I'm considering (will be shortened after college visits and such this summer), but I was wondering what ones would count as safeties, and if there are any other schools that you think would be good safeties for me. I'm interested in international relations/studies, and most of the schools that I know have good programs in that area are more of high matches/reaches for me. Thanks. By the way, I'm out of state for all the public schools.</p>

<p>Schools I'm currently considering:</p>

<ul>
<li>American U</li>
<li>Boston U</li>
<li>Brown</li>
<li>C William and Mary</li>
<li>Columbia</li>
<li>George Washington (School of International Affairs)</li>
<li>Georgetown (School of Foreign Service)</li>
<li>Johns Hopkins </li>
<li>Macalester </li>
<li>Middlebury </li>
<li>Skidmore </li>
<li>Stanford </li>
<li>Tufts </li>
<li>Berkeley</li>
<li>U Chicago</li>
<li>U of Mary Washington</li>
<li>Vassar</li>
</ul>

2

<p>whether any of the schools on your list would count as safeties depends very much on your record (gpa, scores, etc.), what your application might include in terms of activities, recommendations, or quality essays and whether you have any hooks. So, what have you got?</p>

3

<p>Sorry, I forgot to post my stats, and I can't edit the first post for some reason.</p>

<p>caucasian, female, middle class, public school in Michigan (not on any best schools list, but it isn't a really awful school either)</p>

<p>GPA: 3.865 (uw, don't know weighted0
Class Rank: 44/293
PSAT: 233
SAT: 760 R, 720 M, 660 W (didn't do too bad on the multiple choice, but totally bombed the essay for some reason; I'm normally good at writing-type things)
ACT: 34
Likely to become a national merit finalist
4 on both AP Eng Lang and APUSH
SAT II: took Lit and US History, but didn't get my scores back yet.</p>

<p>Taking two classes at a Washington University (in St. Louis) over the summer, and will probably get an A- or A on them (if grades are given).</p>

<p>Freshman:
American Studies (two-hour block class, English and US history) A
German I A
AGS II (algebra, geometry, and statistics) A
Earth Space Science (semester) A
Integrated Physical Science (sem.) A
Orchestra A</p>

<p>Sophomore:
Literature and Composition (sem.) A
Speech B+
Biology A
Economics (sem.) A
US Government (sem.) A
Orchestra A
German II A
AGS III A</p>

<p>Junior: (not sure of the grades, but I think the average is an A-)
APUSH
Pre-Calc
AP Eng Lang
Orchestra
German III
Chemistry</p>

<p>I've taken the most challenging schedule possible so far, excepting science classes (just took Chem last year instead of AP Bio) and taking orchestra instead of another academic class.</p>

<p>Next year:
AP English Lit
AP Calculus
Honors Humanities (block class for one English credit and one social studies credit)
German IV (not officially AP, but I'll most likely be taking the test)
Gym (required for graduation)</p>

<p>I'll probably be able to get all As or A-'s next year.</p>

<p>Extra-Curricular Activities: (when I say present I mean I plan on continuing them through senior year)
Destination Imagination: first grade through the present
Violin: school (as a class) orchestra, 5th through 11th; private lessons, 5th through the present
World Cultures Club (at school, like a combination of the language clubs with some other cultures thrown in): 10th through present
I attempted to join German club freshman year, but it dissolved after just a couple meetings due to lack of participation
Quiz Bowl: 10th through present</p>

<p>Awards:
likely a national merit semi-finalist, possibly a finalist
various academic awards throughout school (don't remember what subjects I got them in)</p>

4

<p>Do you have a part of the country, environment (urban vs suburban vs rural), number of students you would prefer? Your first list is rather varied.</p>

5

<p>Also, I might be wrong, but I don't think Skidmore is particularly strong in international relations. Although I think it could be a safety if you do choose to apply.</p>

6

<p>I'm up for pretty much anywhere except Michigan (want to go somewhere out of state), the southwest or the far south. I'm open to almost anything in terms of size, environment, etc.</p>

7

<p>American, BU, Skidmore, and Mary Washington would be safeties. You're covered - you really don't need more safeties unless you really want them.</p>

8

<p>The trend on your list seems to be small-to-medium sized universities on the East coast. </p>

<p>Goucher would be a good safety, as well as Quinnipiac and Syracuse. </p>

<p>And if you like Columbia, you also could try Barnard (which would be closer to a match). Hamilton and Richmond could also be matches.</p>

9

<p>Thank you very much! I'll take a look at those.</p>

10

<p>You could also take a look at Occidental in the match/safety group.</p>

11

<p>UChicago has a rather different sort of academic feel and typical student from most of the others on your list; it's known to attract and have a certain 'type' of student. So you should definitely visit that to see if it should stay on the list.</p>

<p>Also, Stanford and Berkeley will be a completely different environment, climate and weather-wise, from most of your other schools and from what you're used to.</p>

12

<p>This is very true. The only other school I would consider close to Chicago in terms of environment/ academic atmosphere on your list is JHU, although Chicago is somewhat more academic and less pre-professional than Hopkins. If you like a school like Mac or Vassar but are looking for a more serious kind of student, I would say Chicago is a good choice.</p>

13

<p>
[quote]
American, BU, Skidmore, and Mary Washington would be safeties. You're covered - you really don't need more safeties unless you really want them.

[/quote]
</p>

<p>BU would not be a safety. We're done with Tuft's Syndrome...</p>

14

<p>I wasn't trying to insult BU, I was just being honest. If she has nearly a 3.9 UW GPA and a 1480 SAT, there's no way she would be rejected. That's significantly above BU's average.</p>

15

<p>Actually, yes she would. BU knows this person is highly unlikely to attend, resulting in either a waitlist or rejection. It seems to me that you're unaware of Tuft's Syndrome...</p>

16

<p>Indeed. A number of schools do that. </p>

<p>My statement was made assuming that she's genuinely interested in the school, and makes it apparent enough on the application.</p>

17

<p>Yes, but few people actually DO show genuine interest when it counts, hence Tufts Syndrome taking place.</p>