<p>So, I've been searching for a few weeks (months, even), but I'm yet to find a safety school that actually fits my interests. I'm looking for someplace with a decent economics/pre-business program, that's preferably on the East Coast or in the Midwest, and hopefully in an urban setting.</p>
<p>Stats:</p>
<p>2400 SAT
4.00 uW GPA (currently, it'll probably be a 3.98 next semester due to two A-s)
800s on both Math II and US History
5s on APUSH, Calc BC, WH, Language, and EH
URM (Hispanic, NHRP)</p>
<p>Current List (by order of preference): Harvard (SCEA), Stanford, University of Chicago, MIT, University of Pennsylvania, Duke, and Rice</p>
<p>You don’t indicate what your home state is. For example in NYS, Suny Binghamton has a well-regarded business/economics program. I believe the University of Maryland has a well-regarded program. Your list seems to be all reaches. While you are a good candidate, unfortunately all these schools have to reject many equally good candidates. </p>
<p>University of Richmond? I don’t personally have knowledge of it but it is mentioned a lot on CC as strong in business.
Case Western Reserve University? They have undergrad business, it is a nice urban campus with smart students. We were very pleasantly surprised by our recent tour. They also give merit aid.<br>
Do any of the Catholic and/or Jesuit colleges (often in cities) – like Fordham, DePaul, Loyola-- have UG business? they certainly will offer economics and they will likely offer merit.<br>
What about Emory in Atlanta?</p>
<p>some of these are not safeties but all are less selective than colleges that are already on your list.</p>
<p>Perhaps Fordham as a true safety – you’d almost certainly get merit aid and you may qualify for the honors program. You might also look at Boston College and Villanova because you should have some schools between your safety and those uber-selective schools.</p>
<p>I’ve been looking at Michigan’s program, as it does align with my dream of going into finance, someday. However, I’m not quite sure if it’s actually an assured safety, instead of just a really good match?</p>
<p>I’ve considered Fordham, but I’m not too sure as to whether or not it’s a school I would like to go to. I came out a few Jesuit programs, and I’d have to know what the culture is like to know whether or not it feels like the right school for me. (I didn’t particularly enjoy the Jesuit preaching at my high school.) Similar story with Boston College, although the admissions rep that I spoke to for Boston College seemed knowledgeable and gave a good picture of the school.</p>
<p>I’ll have to look into UMN; I never considered it, before.</p>
<p>The rep from Villanova didn’t impress me in the slightest, but I’ll see if it’s time to take a second look at the school?</p>
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<p>I’m in the lower middle class, so assuming that I can’t get the need-based aid that I would have liked at the majority of the top-tier school I’m applying to, I would need merit aid in order for my safety to truly be a good one. Do any of the listed schools actively seek NHRP applicants?</p>
<p>Look for the automatic scholarships for safety candidates. Competitive scholarships can be match or reach candidates.</p>
<p>Note that some deadlines are coming up soon. For example, Alabama is commonly mentioned on these forums in the context of automatic full tuition scholarships, but its scholarship deadline is 12/15.</p>
<p>Pitt, perhaps, or U. of Miami (where you’d undoubtedly receive a nice scholarship). Has deadline for scholarship eligibility passed at Tulane? You would definitely get in, and receive a hefty merit award. You said nothing about financial need. McGill offers little aid for US residents, but is less expensive than US private colleges or most public universities for out-of-state students. I don’t know what their application deadline is, but you would probably get in there, and it fits all of your criteria. </p>
<p>I second Pitt, Tulane, UMiami; if you’re looking at prestigious/east coast, you can look at the less-selective NESCAC colleges (Connecticut College, Trinity) plus Colgate. Absolute safety: Indiana Kelley (IB track?)</p>
<p>McGill’s prices for foreign students differ radically based on what department you apply to from around $15 000 to north of $30 000 per year. On the plus side the university has recently upped the amount of scholarships it is giving out, and with your frankly perfect stats I am pretty sure you would get something.</p>
<p>You would get anywhere you apply with your stats. Wharton School for example would give you a great experience and Philedelphia is historical and has a lot to offer. </p>
<p>Another option that you would probably get a full ride for undergrad to would be Kelley Indianapolis. Kelley degree in a great urban setting. Then go get your MBA from Kelley Bloomington and experience both types of campuses and get one of the best public Business degrees you can get.</p>
<p>OP mentioned Penn originally, in a good urban setting, but you are right it is not a safety.</p>
<p>Another great option that is more of a high safety is Michigan. Ann Arbor is a good blend of urban and traditional campuses. Not sure about merit, but it is very well respected and might be a good fit.</p>
<p>Make sure you run the net price calculators. Unfortunately, they do not take into consideration where you live. Lower middle class $$$ in California may not be considered lower middle class income in the Midwest. </p>