I’m currently deciding on which school to apply EA for next year. I’m interested in Harvard, Yale, and Princeton, but I don’t know which would be a best fit for me. Here are some stats:
ACT: 35
Math SATII: 800
Bio SATII: 710
GPA unweighted: 4.51
GPA weighted: 3.98
AP’s: APUSH, English Lang, Physics 1, Math AB
Next Year AP’s: English Lit, Physics 2, Math BC, Econ, French
Extracurriculars:
-Play cello since age 6, plays in various orchestras and chamber programs, performed in Carnegie Hall, won various competitions
-Also on the school soccer team (not a main focus for me)
Nothing in your post talks about what you want in a university. Harvard, Yale, and Princeton are all a long shot, even for a very excellent student. However, you probably will have a better chance if you have some reason to want to go to one of them which goes beyond reputation and prestige.
You also need to think about universities which might be considered a match, and which may be considered a safety.
I really do not know what I want to major in, so I’m planning on entering wherever I go undecided. The pros that I’m considering for each of the colleges are:
Harvard:
Location
The name itself
Yale:
Residential system
Princeton:
I know a few people there
Small campus
Strong undergrad focus
All three have decent music programs, so I’m not too worried about that. Yale has a music grad department but I’ve heard many mixed things about its effect on undergrads…
Like what DadTwoGirls, you shouldn’t apply to a school based on its name. Think about what you want to do beyond college. Just because you have excellent academics doesn’t mean you necessarily qualify for these schools. Yes, it’s a pre-requisite, but what do you have to offer that makes you stand apart from other applicants?
Don’t just apply to a school just because of its name. Before you apply to a school, ask yourself: what do I want from this school? Will it get me to where I want to be? Where do I see myself at this school? These are just a few of the questions you should be asking every time you apply.
Most importantly, it’s not the end of the world if you go to a state school. Based on your academics, you are definitely more than capable of succeeding at one and you are definitely going to get a nice scholarship.
To be fair, did Yo-Yo Ma have any EC’s other than playing the Cello? I have no idea whether he did anything else. Personally I love Cello music (although I have never played any stringed instrument that lacked frets).
I would be more inclined to think “what school fits me” rather than “what do I do to fit Harvard, Yale, or Princeton”.
But yes, “you better start looking for some safeties” is correct.
As for my extracurriculars, I didn’t expand but music is a very strong focus in my life. I spend my Saturdays at NEC prep, in a chamber group, went to Tanglewood past summer and upcoming summer, went to Mozarteum in Austria last Summer, leader in my public high school for music in various ways, lots of outreach programs working with younger kids, etc. Hence, this, along with my academics, is what I hope makes me stand apart. I am submitting an arts supplement with my application, too.
Also, to elaborate, I’m very conflicted because I’m extremely indecisive. Princeton seems to have a great undergrad focus, but what if I want to stay at a college (i.e. yale or harvard) for undergrad and then grad? Princeton seems like it is in the middle of nowhere (unlike harvard) but what if college is best spent in a suburban area instead of an urban area? I’m also trying to figure out which place will help me to find the career which is right for me, as I have no idea what I want to pursue (Also, no, I do not want to pursue musical performance or music theory, although I have considered it carefully).
Thank you so much everyone! All advice is greatly appreciated.
@jsmith217 - if you want to get into HYP with those stats, you need to have great ECs, recs, experiences, life stories, and an unbelievably strong essay.
Suggest you consider using EA or ED at a more reasonably ranked school, rather than wasting it on HYP.
Match schools are Northwestern, Cornell, and UMich? Dude, Those are all schools that are reaches for the best of applicants. Don’t delude yourself. Your cello playing is impressive, but it won’t exactly wow the admission committee to accept you on the spot. Be reasonable with your college list.
@jsmith217 While Northwestern and Cornell are def easier to get into than HYP, they are far from matches for anyone. Maybe UMich could be classified as a high match for the very top students, but barely.
Regarding HYP you need to research more in depth what you really like about each school. For Harvard, guess what, all the applicants apply at least partly for the name, but you need to dig deeper than that. The ones that stand out are also able to show compelling reasons why the fit in at Harvard, and show adcoms they want Harvard for more than just the prestige reasons.
“BU and UVa are not safeties for anyone, no matter how high your stats.”
Agreed. However, for the people that I know who were accepted to BU for undergrad (a very small list), they didn’t get any financial aid and were not able to afford it. (I do know one person who got a good deal there for graduate school).
Cost of attendance and what the OP (and parents) can afford are of course the 800 pound bear that has not yet been mentioned on this particular thread.