Help me choose!

College Search & Selection
1

<p>Hey everyone! I'm going to be a senior in the fall and I'm still having some trouble deciding where I should apply to school. First, I'll tell you a few stats about myself and then I'll tell you what I'm looking for.</p>

<p>I'm caucasian and female.
I live in Charleston, South Carolina.
I go to a small private school.</p>

<p>RANK: 20/100 (We don't release rankings to colleges, though)
GPA: 3.92 weighted, out of a possible 4.3 (valedictorian's GPA this year = 4.25)
COURSELOAD: Almost all honors; regular chemistry, and regular calculus, although I took it a year early
SATS: 800 W, 800 V, 680 M
SAT IIs: 730 Bio, 700 French, 700 US History, 610 Math IC (ouch, this was like 15th percentile...I think I have enough other SATs that I won't have to submit it, though)
APs: US History 5, Euro History 5, French Language 4, Biology 5, English Language 5
ECs: President of French Club, Captain of Varsity Volleyball Team, Chorus, starring roles in many school plays/musicals, in a "band" that isn't really going anywhere but is fun and occassionally performs at school, work 20+ hours per week at a clothing store, volunteer at a tutoring center for disabled children 5 hours per week
ESSAYS: These will probably be the best part of my application, I love to write.</p>

<p>WHAT I'M LOOKING FOR:
-5,000-15,000 students, but the bigger the better
-Active social life, a big Greek scene is fine
-A college town (nothing too urban)
-A beautiful campus was lots of brick and greenery (very important--it has to be a nice place to live)
-Nationally recognized sports teams, or at least a lot of support for the school's sports teams (I grew up with 3 brothers, so I love sports)
-East Coast location--snow is a plus
-A good balance of academics and fun
-Although finances are not an issue, a public (or inexpensive) school is a plus. I highly doubt I will qualify for financial aid, but I have four younger siblings (oh Catholics) and I don't want any of them to have trouble with finances in the future. The youngest one is only 4.</p>

<p>SOME SCHOOLS I'M CONSIDERING:
University of Virginia
University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill
Duke
Vanderbilt
Princeton
Wake Forest
University of Pennsylvania
Syracuse
University of Michigan
North Carolina State
University of Texas, Austin
Georgetown
University of Tennessee, Knoxville
William & Mary</p>

<p>Please help me eliminate some schools, and tell me which ones I should be focusing on. Thanks!</p>

2

<p>Several comments. Amazing SATs but why the 680 in math? I almost feel silly for saying this but a retake might actually be a possibility. But that's nitpicking. </p>

<p>Great stats that will make the possibility of HYPSM a reality, especially if you can write killer essays. I think they might still give financial aid.</p>

<p>I know you wanted to eliminate schools, but Cornell, Berkeley, and UCLA might be worth looking into based on what you are looking for (you could easily get in). </p>

<p>You might want to tell us your intended major or general area of interest.</p>

<p>Edit- From what I've heard, William and Mary is less socially active than what you are looking for. I'd recommend taking that off the list.</p>

3

<p>How are HYPSM a possibility for someone in the top 20% with below average SAT math and SATIIs? The only high score that matters is the CR and that's not enough.</p>

<p>Best chance is Vandy and Georgetown level schools.</p>

4

<p>I would say Cornell really seems to have what you are looking for. What is your GPA unweighted?</p>

5

<p>Those can be retaken. SAT scores are easier to improve than say, lackluster EC's, during your senior year. Alice, you really should retake the Math 1C. Bobby, while her SAT 1 math score is below average, I think this is compensated by 800s on the other two sections.</p>

6

<p>Thanks for the advice! I'm interested in studying History or English. As you can see, math is very difficult for me and has never been a strong point. :/</p>

<p>The idea of UCLA/Berkeley sounds really cool, but I know those schools have really, really small percentages of out-of-state students. The percentages are much higher at Michigan and UVA, and I'm close enough to UNC for the small OOS percentage to not bother me so much. Maybe it's not something I should be concerned about, but do you have any input on that?</p>

<p>I don't really want to attend HYPSM too badly. I suppose it would be nice to have the "Oh my God" factor when I told people where I was going, but I might be intimidated by so much competition. I guess I just don't really think I'm that smart/motivated. :/</p>

7

<p>Someone who isn't immediately impressed by the prestige factor? You're a dying breed. Very cool. I don't think that has to do with intelligence or motivation sometimes. </p>

<p>I don't think the percentages of OOS students for UCLA and Berkeley is that bad. I don't think the competition would be that stifling or difficult. I wouldn't worry too much about it. Both schools have nice english/history departments but no snow =p. As for sport fandom, both have plenty of that. UCLA students talking about their USC rivalry or Berkeley students about their Stanford rivalry is ....entertaining.</p>

<p>Cornell might also be a school to research. It is an ivy, but is perhaps the most open/down-to-earth of the ivy schools. Not sure of it's history/english departments. It also seems to fit all of your preferences, although I'm also not certain of the social scene. </p>

<p>As for eliminating schools, it'll likely come down to personal choice. Those schools you can visit, do. You can often get a vibe from the campus or a feel for how it might be to be a student there. A little research is likely to be in order.</p>

8

<p>U of Tennessee and North Carolina State don't make sense to me. You are overqualified. If they are your safeties (if you want out of state safeties) all right, but other than that, they seem like a waste of an application. U. Maryland College Park seems to fit your search parameters- tons of old red brick, huge campus, greenery, lots of social life, has absolutely everything. It's near Washington, DC (maybe 6 miles outside, easy access by subway). Boston College, although smaller and more elite, also fits your parameters. Notre Dame would also, but is not on the east coast. You should be an honors admission at Maryland and should be accepted at Boston College.</p>

9

<p>Tennessee fits everything that you want. Your stats are very impressive, so I'd say your definately in with an invite to join the honors program. Depending on what majors your looking into they have really strong programs in certain areas. Then again, I'm biased because I'm a student @ UT. If you have any questions, feel free to ask.</p>

10

<p>I agree, look into Cornell</p>

11

<p>OneMom, they are my safeties, but that doesn't mean I don't like them. I have visited UTK and find it charming, friendly, fun, and laid-back. As for NC State, my older brother goes there and we have a lot of Wolfpack pride. :) (There are 6 kids in my family: my brother, going to be a sophomore at NCST, me, 16, my brother, 12, my other brother, 10, my sister, 8, and my other sister, 4.)</p>

<p>I classify them more or less like this:</p>

<p>REACHES:
UVA
UNC
Princeton
Duke
W&M
Gtown
Penn</p>

<p>MATCHES
Wake Forest
Vandy
Michigan
Texas</p>

<p>SAFETIES
NC State
UTK
Syracuse</p>

<p>There are not really any colleges in SC that interest me. I wouldn't really want to attend USC, and College of Charleston is way too close.</p>

12

<p>Definitely Wisconsin, it fits all your criteria and is not a reach at all. The other top Big Ten schools also, particularly Michigan. </p>

<p>WHAT I'M LOOKING FOR:
-5,000-15,000 students, but the bigger the better
-Active social life, a big Greek scene is fine
-A college town (nothing too urban)
-A beautiful campus was lots of brick and greenery (very important--it has to be a nice place to live)
-Nationally recognized sports teams, or at least a lot of support for the school's sports teams (I grew up with 3 brothers, so I love sports)
-East Coast location--snow is a plus
-A good balance of academics and fun
-Although finances are not an issue, a public (or inexpensive) school is a plus.</p>

<p>As a Berkeley grad, I'll make a case, although Wisconsin or Michigan fit your criteria best. </p>

<p>One, Berkeley loves diversity and there aren't a lot of Charleston students at Cal. I'm sure they'll love your application.</p>

<p>Berkeley is a bit of a cultural adjustment coming from the South, but it's a wonderful place. I came to Berkeley straight from Paris (France, not TX;)) and just adored the school and the campus experience, in addition of being awed with the academics. Gorgeous campus with lots of greenery, but not much in terms of bricks (hey, white granite isn't too bad!) </p>

<p>Top 10 football team, we're going to compete for the national title for years to come as we have one of the very best coaches around. Tremendous excitement around the team. Gorgeous stadium! (<a href="http://sunsite.berkeley.edu/uchistory/archives_exhibits/campus_planning/atkinson_archive/ucb/photos/UCB_74_rf.jpg%5B/url%5D"&gt;http://sunsite.berkeley.edu/uchistory/archives_exhibits/campus_planning/atkinson_archive/ucb/photos/UCB_74_rf.jpg&lt;/a&gt;) Good basketball program, and great traditions in Crew and Rugby, where Cal is usually #1. Cal athletes got more medals in Athens04 than all but ten countries IIRC.</p>

<p>The Greek scene is pretty big and active, though it doesn't dominate campus social life.</p>

<p>No snow of course, but great weather. On the other hand, fantastic skiing in Tahoe 3 hours away for weekend study breaks. Most sororities have members who have cabins up there where people crash through the ski season.</p>

<p>Fantastic academics, and great balance of college town with nice stores and cafes in a wider urban network. San Fran is right across the Bay, and there are thousands of acres of gorgeous greenery all around and scenic beaches.</p>

<p>If you want to widen your horizons, Berkeley is a great option.</p>

13

<p>UPenn is very urban so you may want to eliminate that. if you are willing to take it, the mathIIC test seems to be curved more and gives kids better scores. i have friends who took IC and IIC backtoback and scored 50-80 points higher on the IIC. your sat math score is fine and shouldnt prevent you from gettting into any school. have you looked at clemson or USC(south carolina) unless you want to get out of state? id say UVA or UNC are what you want most (except for snow). if you are looking for snow cornell would be a good choice. Penn State may be a good place to look and if you get into their honors program that is almost as competitive as colleges ranked higher. if scholarships are your thing, vandy, washu, bc, notre dame, tulane, emory, and the big state schools are places to try and get some cash</p>

14

<p>Rockyroad, what can't be changed is class rank. Take a look at how few kids at any ivy were not in the top 10%, most are top 5%. Then think about who those not in top 10% are: athletes, URMs, legacies or development kids or kids who went to Exeter.</p>

15

<p>What does it matter if the school doesn't release those rankings? And you were talking about SAT scores, not rank.</p>

16

<p>Do you honestly think the colleges don't know? I was talking about the full picture. I high SAT (CR as writing doesn't count yet), all the others below average. Second decile. And you're talking HYPSM? You're misleading kids.</p>

17

<p>You seem to think the entire admissions process is SAT and rank. I understand those are important and I think with a bit of improvement they are there. HYPSM is a reach for most applicants, even those that get in. Don't flatter yourself.</p>

18

<p>CalX, I have a question about Berkeley. I mentioned this before, but maybe you can elaborate. I know Berkeley is something like 95% Californian--that seems a little overwhelming! I know people are people no matter where they're from, but I would have to fly home whereas most of the other students (even the SoCal ones) would be able to drive. It just seems like it might be a little harder to make friends, and it might be tough to come to a place where a lot of the kids already knew people from HS, and were familiar with California, etc. Can you elaborate on what that's like?</p>

19

<p>Berkeley is not completely Californian. I shall be attending Berkeley in a few weeks and I will be flying home during Thanksgiving and Christmas Break since the drive is about 6-7 hours to my house. Truth be told, I know of only one other person from my school who shall be an entering freshman such as myself. I lived in California for 8+ years and I still don't feel completely familiar with it. Actually the only difference I can verbalize between California and my previous homes in Idaho and Washington, is that things move ...faster here.</p>

20

<p>Flatter myself? I didn't get into H the first time I applied. I, too though that rank and sats could be trumped by great recs and essays. Later, when I was top of class and had top SATs the fat envelope came.</p>

<p>Alice, I would think twice about going to Berkeley OOS. It's a good value if you're in state, but if you can get in OOS you can do much better. $40K for classes with hundreds is not worth it. Cal has great grad schools but undergrad is not it's strength. Student satisfaction ratings are low and talk about the cut throat environment encouraged by their nasty curve, huge classes and unfriendly students because of the fierce competition. There are current budget problems that will make graduating in 4 years even harder. They are cutting back on lots of things. </p>

<p>That same $40K can take you to a friendly school with small classes and a large endowment, a much better undergrad experience.</p>