<p>I've visited some of these schools recently, and here is my list so far:</p>
<p>Columbia
Cornell U
Harvard
Yale
Brown
University of Pennsylvania
University of Rochester
Northeastern University
Drexel University
NYU
Johns Hopkins University</p>
<p>Criteria:
Let's assume I have the scores, grades, ECs, etc . . to get into these colleges
Suburban - Urban
Medium - Large
Within 3 hr drive from NYC (parents insist on this, Cornell/URoch is a MAJOR stretch)
Interested in Economics/Business/Engineering, esp. in combined program, but very undecided </p>
<p>Any comments? Suggestions for more schools? Ones to take off?
Also, my parents are insistent that I apply to a majority of the Ivy Leagues. </p>
Well, since this is the most important part and you’ve omitted them, we have nothing to help you with.</p>
<p>And if your parents are insistent that you apply mostly Ivies, they better be OK with rejection unless you have absolutely jaw-dropping ECs, Stats and essays.</p>
<p>I do not see a single admissions safety on this list.</p>
<p>Unless your parents have a huge college fund stashed away for you, you also are missing a clear financial safety.</p>
<p>Find at least one place that you know for certain you can get into with your grades and test scores (lots of public universities post this information right on their website), and that you know for certain your family can pay for without any aid other than federally determined (FAFSA) aid. Be sure that this is a place that you could be happy attending if everything else in the college application process goes wrong.</p>
<p>You can’t ask us to critique your list if you won’t post your stats. We have no idea whether you’d be able to get into these schools. Even people with perfect scores don’t always get into some of these top schools.</p>
<p>Allright, fine. Here’s some info. I didn’t give it before because I didn’t feel comfortable doing so, but . . .</p>
<p>SAT: 2300
SAT II: Biology 760, Chemistry 740, taking Math II
GPA: equivalent to a 3.9/4.0
All IB/AP classes
Strong extracurriculars
Will have good recommendations</p>
<p>Also, isn’t Drexel a financial safety? I have legacy there.
College tuition is obviously a stretch, but my family makes enough that we aren’t expected financial aid.</p>
<p>Don’t worry, I’ll deal with my parents’ expectations.</p>
<p>Well, your chances at NYU, Drexel, URochester, Northeastern and possibly Johns Hopkins are quite good. But when you throw in the Ivies, your stats are good but nothing out of the ordinary for them, even average. Unless it’s your dream to go to one, especially one as demanding as Cornell Engineering to say the least, I’d explain to your parents that there are plenty of other places that provide a similar/equivalent level of education as the Ivies that are much more affordable. Their minds need to be opened to the vast number of other opportunities. </p>
<p>You have enough high reaches, you need more safeties and matches. I can see you don’t like LACs so I’d suggest Tufts and University of Pittsburg as match/small reach schools depending on how “strong” your ECs are.</p>
<p>My parents think I should apply to so many ivies because of friends/families who have gotten in. It’s a little annoying, and I don’t think it makes sense to apply to so many. However, they won’t take no for an answer, so I’ll deal. Anyway, they’d be pretty happy if I went to a school such as NYU/Johns Hopkins/Carnegie Melon, as well.</p>
<p>Tufts had originally been on my list, but I had taken it off because it seemed too humanities/poli sci-focused. Am I mistaken?
Also, the 2/3 hr driving distance from NYC limit is something I kinda have to stick with. (Regarding Pittsburgh)</p>
<p>I would also add Boston University to the list. Any suggestions for good, urban schools focused on science/business?</p>
<p>My parents aren’t forcing me to apply anywhere; if I really don’t want to, I really won’t. I can also apply to a mix of Ivy and non-Ivy schools. I’m also really, really undecided on my major. Engineering, business, and economics are all interests, but I’m not ready to commit to anything yet.</p>
<p>Tufts has excellent physical science, computer science, and math departments. I’ve also heard their engineering is quite good as well. And the drive from Boston to NYC consistently takes me only about 3.5 hours. If your parents aren’t willing to budge on a 30 minute difference in drive time, you have bigger things to worry about I think. And really, it’s your choice where you apply, though from the looks of it they will determine where you go to college which I find incredibly unfortunate. If they are adamant you apply to Cornell Engineering and you learn it’s not for you (especially with the colossal work load), you can either not send in the application or not even apply at all and just tell them you did (yes it’s lying but I find it fair). </p>
<p>You need to do some research and first find out what it is you want to major in. From there, find schools that fit you and make you happy. Then you can have an informed and calm discussion with your parents about your future and hopefully reach some sort of compromise. Just show them some other schools of Ivy caliber you enjoy and express to them that it is what will make you happy and where you truly feel you belong. If your parents deny you that even then, I apologize for your misfortune.</p>
<p>You should realize that most ivy’s and other top schools don’t offer business as an undergrad degree. You’d usually do Economics. Or like the COE program at Brown. Brown also has a combined CS and Econ degree. Look for it on the CS department page and you can see the requirements.</p>
<p>“Let’s assume I have the scores, grades, ECs, etc . . to get into these colleges”</p>
<p>When you’re applying to Ivies, which are reaches for basically everyone, that’s never a safe assumption.</p>
<p>Your scores do seem good enough, but they’re <em>still</em> reach schools, and really, nothing realistic will change that.</p>
<p>You definitely need a safety school where you’re sure to get in, as well as a school that’s either cheap or likely to offer you enough money to make it cheap. Many public universities will fall into both of these categories.</p>
<p>In case the reach schools fall through, I’d suggest adding in a few schools that are likely, but neither reach schools nor safety schools. This will give you some additional options.</p>
<p>With your stats you have plenty of options. You would probably be wise to consider early decision as this may increase your chances of acceptance to an ivy, particularly U Penn. U Penn is well located just far enough away from NYC but very easy to get home on the AMTRAK or megabus.</p>
<p>Columbia is kinda my dream school. Does anyone know if there is a distinctive advantage to applying to Columbia early?</p>
<p>I was thinking of a Columbia ED, somewhere else EA, Drexel rolling combination.</p>
<p>I was also thinking of doing Yale SCEA, maybe with Drexel rolling, but then I couldn’t do ED/EA anywhere else.
When I visited Yale the admissions officer said applying to a rolling school is fine as long as rolling is the only option available.</p>
<p>Hi, I’m a junior too, and applying to Barnard next year. If you like Columbia, you would probably enjoy Barnard too, and it may be more of a match for you, but you would still be able to take classes at Columbia.</p>
<p>Also, if your parents want you in an Ivy just to show off, then with all due respect, screw them… you can go to a school that’s “only” awesome and end up making five times their salary in a few years. (Especially since you said your dad is a Drexel alum, and you have the stats to get into schools that demolish Drexel academically)</p>