Help choosing colleges

College Search & Selection
1

<p>I'm entering my senior year of high school and I'm having a hard time figuring out where I want to apply.</p>

<p>High school-</p>

<p>Competitive public high school in Maryland (ranked 1 or 2 in the state)</p>

<p>Unweighted GPA: 4.00 </p>

<p>SAT: 800 Verbal, 800 Math, 720 Writing 8 Essay (2320)</p>

<p>Rigorous courseload with 5 AP Classes (4 5s and a 4) from 9th-12th</p>

<p>Activities:</p>

<p>Saxophone
-school band, marching band (9th-12th)
-pit orchestra for school musical (11th)</p>

<p>Quiz bowl team (9th-12th)</p>

<p>300+ hours of community service (same activity all 4 years-related to my passion)</p>

<p>Summer job this summer, I took a class the previous summer </p>

<p>The only problem is that I haven't visited any colleges yet that I really love and that jump out at me. I'm looking for a college with nice people, strong academics, and access to a city. However, I don't want the atmosphere to be too competitive, and I want a college campus. I get anxious sometimes, so I don't want a school where everyone is really cutthroat if you get what I mean. I also don't want the social life to revolve around Greek life.</p>

<p>I don't know what I want to study, so I'll probably apply to a school's college of arts and sciences. I would prefer a school of at least 3,000 students, but I don't want a really big school.</p>

<p>If you could help me come up with some schools, that would be much appreciated. I need a couple of reach/match schools and safeties. Cost is not an issue, although financial safeties would be nice too. Thanks!</p>

2

<p>

You’ve got Ivy stats, but sounds like you are looking for a less competitive environment. WUSTL, Rochester, Boston College, Case, Georgetown, American come to mind.</p>

3

<p>Thanks for coming up with some schools for me to research!</p>

<p>Yes, that sounds about right. I want a good school that challenges me but also provides a more comfortable environment with friendly students.</p>

<p>My dad keeps saying that the top schools wouldn’t be as intimidating once you get in, but I don’t really see myself in that environment (on the off chance that I would get into an Ivy-caliber school).</p>

4

<p>I had the exact same problem last year! If you’re a girl, I would totally apply to Smith (it’s all women). That’s where I am going! It’s really strong academically, but definitely not cutthroat at all! It’s really a close-knit community. Also, I know tonight there is this cool website (i can’t quite remember the name of it) that is doing a webcast about how to choose the best colleges (safeties, targets, reaches, etc). Please e-mail or message me if you want a link to the webcast. I think it was at 7 tonight EST.</p>

5

<p>Smith is a good recommendation. Carleton, Lewis and Clark.</p>

6

<p>Thanks for the suggestions. Yes, I am a girl. I hadn’t really thought about apply to an women’s school. I had actually been focusing my search on universities because I don’t think I want a small school.</p>

7

<p>Check out Cornell (it’s an Ivy but it has everything you are looking for), U of Michigan, Vanderbilt, U of Miami, BU, George Town, GW, Tulane…</p>

8

<p>sungoose, I’d suggest you visit some of the academically rigorous small LACs. Aside from size, LACs seems to offer everything on your wish list: close knit communities, nurturing professors, supportive, friendly culture. </p>

<p>You could scale-up by choosing a school within a consortium like Amherst, Smith, Pomona. Williams may be more rural than you prefer, but music ECs are especially valued in admissions. Also Wesleyan. I would definitely look at women’s colleges: Barnard, Holyoke, Wellesley (in addition to Smith).</p>

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<p>What’s your “passion”?</p>

9

<p>Oh, my dream is to become a judge one day. I’m really interested in the judicial process and courtroom proceedings which I find very interesting. I know there’s a surplus of lawyers right now so I’m not sure how realistic my goals are (or whether colleges want future lawyers).</p>

<p>I did visit Wellesley, but the students were on break so I don’t think I got a good feel for it. I never really had any male friends in high school, so I was hoping that could be something I expand on in college.</p>

10

<p>I’ll second U Rochester (middle son is there and loves it), WUSTL, and Emory. Do you have cost constraints? Merit aid can definitely be in the picture when schools offer it. The three I listed offer it.</p>

11

<p>Creekland- I don’t have any cost restraints. My parents are willing to pay if I can find a college that I want to attend. Also, thanks for suggesting those schools. I looked them up and they seem a lot like what I’m looking for in a school. I’d like to visit them, but I might have to wait and visit where I am accepted. </p>

<p>Rochester is less than 6 hours from me so I might be able to get up there. I know some schools like you to visit to show interest, but sometimes they also do info sessions in different areas. Is it ok to attend those info sessions and visit if I get accepted, or should I visit before I apply?</p>

12

<p>What about schools more on the west coast like Stanford or CIT? There all great schools, and who doesn’t want to live in California? My Dad also went to University of Chicago and said it was one of the best times of his life and it’s not too ra ra there if that’s not what you’re into.</p>

13

<p>It’s fine to do the info sessions. They know not all students can visit. My guy didn’t visit URoc until after he was accepted. He did, however, do a phone interview with an alum. If you can’t visit, I do suggest seeing what they do have available (info sessions and/or alumni interviews, etc).</p>

14

<p>What about Notre Dame? Challenging but collabrative, no Greek life, medium size.</p>

15

<p>Carnegie Mellon might also be a fit. Not sure how competitive the environment is though.</p>