<p>So, I'm supposed to have a shortlist of colleges I wanna apply to by the end of summer. I have my reaches (more or less), but as for targets and safeties...I have no idea. I'll put down some stuff about myself. Fingers crossed that you lovely people at CC can help me out!</p>
<p>IB predicted grade: 39/42 (Could change again, so +/2. I've read somewhere that it should be equivalent to a 4.0 UWA)
SAT I: 2170 (retaking in November)
International student from Bangladesh, attending a well-known school abroad right now on a scholarship
Will need full financial aid</p>
<p>Won national Brain Brats competition
Won national outstanding achievement award for my 10th grade international exams (I suppose it's like a merit award in the US)
Took singing lessons for 6 years, hopefully starting a beginner's choir/vocal training facility on campus this year
Been learning French for 2 years
Several community service projects, both nationally and abroad. Held a self-organized EFL camp for NGO staff in my country (amazing experience!)
Started playing football (soccer) last year because I really love the sport. Honestly? I'm far from getting any awards there, I still suck at it. However, I suck much less than I did at the beginning.
Started debating last year as well. Participated in national school tournaments in the country where I'm being schooled now.
Reason why I /started/ so much stuff so late, i.e. last year: Transferred to the school I go to now. Believe me when I say I /severely/ lacked opportunities in my home country.</p>
<p>For my reaches and safeties, I genuinely want colleges where I'll get a good education AND be happy; I acknowledge that it isn't just a place I'll get a degree from--I'll live there for 4/5 years. </p>
<p>Alright, so I'm looking at colleges that are more or less reputable BUT they have a focus on extracurriculars, not in the sense that the scene is run by uber-talented people only, but rather that there are many scopes of starting to learn new things. For example, I'm still terrible at sports but I'd love to get better. I also want a college where they provide private voice lessons, either as electives or just like that (I won't be majoring in Music). I'd prefer a very liberal environment (as liberal as possible). I'll possibly major in Engineering or Economics, not sure yet. Speaking of which, it'd be nice to have a wide scope for learning, i.e. lots of scope for majoring and minoring in different subjects as well as interesting electives.</p>
<p>Sorry for the long post but I'm in such a pickle!</p>
<p>Cheers xx</p>
<p>Bump? 
I hope I’m not bumping too early, but I kinda need some ideas soon.</p>
<p>Check out Macalester and Earlham. I’ve been told that they are the two most international LAC’s in the US (and I’d believe it, since they have around 20-25% international students), both have awesome extracurricular opportunities and study abroad opportunities. Both have very liberal, progressive student bodies. Macalester has a bit more of a humanities focus, Earlham has a bit more of a science focus, but they are strong in all major areas. </p>
<p>I’m from Earlham, and I can answer any questions you have about EC!</p>
<p>I’ll check out it, thanks! Hah, I just found out Earlham holds the Davis Cup; I’m from a UWC as well.</p>
<p>@Proddicles: Actually, we lost it to Brown last year by 7 students.</p>
<p>Ratio-wise I’m pretty damn sure that we are still #1 :P</p>
<p>Oh yeah, I just noticed, oops! But a bunch of people from my school are going to Earlham for '16, so you guys might have a shot at reclaiming it ;)</p>
<p>Oh yeah - I did some investigating. According to the most recent statistics, Earlham is the #1 LAC in the country as far as international presence by two measures: # of countries represented (77), and total # of students (190) for a Co-educational LAC (Mount Holyoke beats us here, but they are women-only). I’d also bet that we have the highest amount of beta diversity (using a biological term), and that we probably have the most even distribution of students from around the world for any LAC. That last point is just speculation though.</p>
<p>Also upon further review, Brown beat us by 5 students, not 7. :P</p>
<p>Well that does seem like some pretty great stats! How religious is the school in general, by the way? (just wondering)</p>
<p>Also, which colleges/universities do you think I’d have a fair shot in (like, maybe not a very high percentage but ones that don’t call for a “not a chance” dismissal)?</p>
<p>Reed in Portland, Oregon is definitely for a certain type of student, but is academically reputable & encourages students to explore a range of activities.</p>
<p>Earlham is a Quaker institution, and Quaker principles are most evident in the classroom. First-name basis with professors, deep questioning of principle and challenging assumptions, a constant search for truth “wherever it may lead”. Sometimes professors will hold a moment of silence to start class if they judge that the students are restless. These are pretty rare though - it’s more common for meetings of committees and such. There is also an incredible spirit of inclusiveness throughout campus life - almost every organization is open to first-years and seniors alike, and overall the student body is incredibly accepting of people. This is especially evident with regards to our small but vibrant LGBT population.</p>
<p>As a student body though, it’s a huge mix of religions. Quakers are around 10% of the campus body, and the stats for Catholics, Muslims, Jews, Agnostics, and Atheists are also large minorities. It’s important to note that people of Judeo-Christian faiths form a plurality but not a majority of students on campus. I don’t know of a more religiously diverse campus anywhere in the world (doesn’t mean that there isn’t one, just that I don’t know about it).</p>
<p>As for chances, you’d be a fit for Earlham for sure! I’m not familiar with international admissions for any other colleges, though. You seem like a strong applicant, so I’d guess that your choices aren’t very limited :)</p>
<p>Thank you so much guys! I’m gonna check out Oregon and maybe Reed. </p>
<p>@ECAdmStudent, thank you so much. I’ll probably have my reaches as well, maybe like Dartmouth, UChicago, Brown and even Harvard and then sit with my feet crossed with a “Que sera, sera” outlook. But I guess I do need to be realistic and focus a lot of targets and solid safeties I’d actually be happy to go to. As for Earlham, I think I’m definitely putting it in my list. The explanation for the religious scene was very comprehensive, thank you A liberal scene is quite important to me I suppose, especially in terms of religion.</p>