Help me choose safeties, please!

College Search & Selection
1

<p>I feel as if all of the colleges I am applying to are mainly reaches, with a few matches. I'm thinking that I need some safeties (perhaps a SUNY college?), and I'd like some input on some colleges that might be good safeties for me. Thank you!</p>

<p>The following is pretty much copy-pasted from my Stats Profile.</p>

<p>African-American Female, College Class Year 2014
High School: Small public suburban school in New York
High School Type: sends some grads to top schools
Will apply for financial aid: Yes</p>

<p>Academics:</p>

<p>GPA - Unweighted: 3.40
GPA - Weighted: 3.60
Class Size: 168</p>

<p>Scores:</p>

<p>SAT I Math: 660
SAT I Critical Reading: 740
SAT I Writing: 780
ACT: 30
SAT II Literature: 770
SAT II U.S. History: 670
SAT II Math Level 2 (IIC): 640</p>

<p>Extracurriculars:</p>

<p>Significant Extracurriculars: Forensic Speech (since 9th grade; got to State tournament)
Web Design (since 9th grade; participated in NJIT competition; edits websites for school departments)
Girl Scouts (since 2nd grade)
Piano
Leadership positions: School Site-Based committee
Superintendent's advisory committee
Speech team & anime club leader (12th grade)
Volunteer/Service Work: various, with Girl Scout troop
Plays piano at elder care/healthcare facilities
Honors and Awards: States in Speech '08 & '09
Girl Scout Gold Award (expected Nov '09)
College Summer programs: SIG at Vassar (I don't believe this counts, though...)</p>

<p>Colleges of Interest:</p>

<p>Allegheny College
College of William and Mary
Connecticut College
Franklin and Marshall College
Gettysburg College
Haverford College
Knox College
Skidmore College
Ursinus College
Vanderbilt University
Williams College
Yale University
Vassar College</p>

<p>Desired College Characteristics: I like colleges that do not have a very competitive atmosphere, but still have an emphasis on academics (no party schools).
Location type: Rural, Suburban, Small City
Size: Small (Under 2,500), Medium Small (2,500 - 5,000), Medium (5,000 - 10,000)
Area: East
Importance of cost: Very important</p>

2

<p>You already have a nice collection of safeties, with about 5 on your list that I would say are guaranteed admission.</p>

3

<p>Bucknell, Lafayette, Holy Cross, Colgate</p>

4

<p>I agree with OHKid. I think your list is fine the way it is.</p>

5

<p>I agree with others. You should able to get in most of them without any problem.</p>

6

<p>OK, thank you for your assistance!</p>

7

<p>I agree somewhat. I would expect that you would have very little problem getting admitted to Allegheny, Knox, and Ursinus. The others are good matches, and Yale, Williams and Vanderbilt are your reaches. </p>

<p>However, if you were my kid (or my student), I would add at least two more guaranteed safeties for academic and financial reasons. Find a few SUNYs that fit: Binghamton and Geneseo are matches. Look at Fredonia or New Paltz as safeties, especially since you seem to have a strong interest in the arts.</p>

8

<p>I think you are already safe. Because you say cost is important to you, 3 fine schools which meet your criteria and other posters have praised for their generosity to URM students with aid are Muhlenberg, Oberlin and Susquehanna.
Best of luck.</p>

9

<p>I would suggest adding a financial safety like SUNY new paltz</p>