<p>I need a bit of help figuring out where to apply. I have some ideas, but first these are my stats:</p>
<p>SAT Math- 760
SAT Reading- 750
SAT Writing- 730
(planning to retake in the Fall because I could do much better in Writing-- took without any real preparation)
SAT II Math II- 790
SAT II Literature- 750
SAT II US History- 780
GPA so far- 4.0 (weighted is about 4.6)
7 Honors Courses, 12 AP Classes by end of Senior Year (so far six 5's and one 4)
President of Autism Awareness Club
Member of National Honor Society
Potential National Merit Finalist (PSAT- 220)
Member of local Youth Symphony and selective Choir
Many more less significant extracurriculars including Youth Group, tutoring low income students, community service, etc.</p>
<p>Okay so that is a ton of information but what matters more to me is:
-I'm a Christian and Christian community would be central to a college for me
-I would love diversity of views, ethnicity, and economic level (pushes a lot of Christian colleges out of the picture)
-Excellent academics
-Possibly a program focused on global development, social justice, or some sort of major meant for people interested in working for an international NGO
-Smaller than 7,000 is great
-I don't want to be in a big city but I don't mind being nearby (aka no NYU)
-Must allow deferral of acceptance for one year (I'm doing a gap year)</p>
<p>So it's kind of tough. My ideas I'm considering are:
-Wheaton (Illinois)
-Yale
-Haverford
-Davidson
-Whitworth (this is most definitely my safety-- I don't have much interest in going there, but it's instate for me)</p>
<p>Can I get advice on my chances and new ideas for colleges? They don't have to fit all criteria-- that would just be my dream. Thanks!</p>
<p>Santa Clara would be a match/safety for you. Diversity of views, ethnicity, economic level, strong in the majors you are interested in, in a metropolitan area, but a very safe neighborhood. Has a Christian community. Check it out.</p>
<p>Boston College (great safety for you and a great school!) Ricegal, Santa Clara would be a Safety and then some! How about Rice, non-Christian but GREAT school!!</p>
<p>Don’t laugh, but what about BYU??? (You do NOT have to be Mormon) However, a BIG school.</p>
<p>Thanks those are good schools to look into! I’ve actually visited Santa Clara and liked it but haven’t thought about it seriously. I’ll take a look at Rice, too. Any other ideas? And any idea on chances at Yale, Haverford, and Davidson? I know Yale is a bit of a push, but isn’t it a push for everyone? Yale might be too big, but it’s the only Ivy I’ve really liked.</p>
<p>Haverford and Davidson appear to be good matches for you. Both are excellent schools with wonderful faculty and “community” of students. Williams College probably also fits this mold, although more selective than these other two. I think these are all really good choices. Out West, there’s Claremont McKenna in CA and Whitman in WA. You may want to consider these as well however they may not be religious enough for you.</p>
<p>I second Pepperdine. Strong Christian community, around 3,000 undergrads, located in Malibu close to Los Angeles. It has various social justice emphases. With your stats, merits scholarships are in the picture.</p>