Hi! I’m a junior and I’m just starting to seriously get into college searches, and I’m not quite sure how to find match schools. I am getting a little nervous because my parents are pushing me towards the ivies plus MIT and Stanford, and I’d love to attend one but I know those are all reach schools so I need some that are a little more realistic. I want to study physics so does anyone know any good schools that would fit my stats?
Stats:
GPA: 4.1 W 4.0 UW
Rank: 1/67
PSAT: 1480 (My SAT date isn’t for another month) 750 Reading/Writing, 730 Math
ACT: 35, English 36, Math 35, Reading 36, Science 31 (planning on retaking)
ACT Writing: 10
AP Classes: Calc AB, Chemistry (My school only offers a few)
Honors: US History
Next year I will be taking AP Calc BC, AP Bio, and AP Lit
ECs:
Newspaper/Journalism: I'm the news editor and I've gone to state for news writing
Drama Club
Band (concert and marching): I play the flute but my director doesn't do chairs :(
Cheerleading: I was captain this year, and probably next year as well
National Honors Society
Speech/Debate
Scholastic Bowl: Varsity team as a sophomore, next year's captain
Key Club (my school's volunteer group)
Volunteering:
I have probably 100ish hours but not a lot of stuff out of the ordinary (just volunteering at school events, animal shelter, etc). Probably the thing that stands out the most is that I was a counselor for a summer camp run by a local conservation group and I volunteered at an archaeological symposium.
Possible Essays/Hooks
I skipped a grade and moved around a lot when I was growing up and my dad’s retired from the army
Any help is really appreciated and just let me know if you want me to chance you!
For strong physics programs in an undergraduate-focused setting, you might want to look into the programs of schools such as Harvey Mudd, Reed, Haverford, Pomona, Hamilton and Bowdoin. Note that last year’s Apker (the highest honor for undergraduate research in physics) in the bachelor’s category was conferred on a Pomona graduate amid finalists from Hamilton and Bryn Mawr.
What is your state of residence? A state school will be a safety/match for you and is always a good option to have. You didn’t include any preferences such as size of the school, urban/rural location, geographic location, the general vibe of the school. These are all important. The “ivies plus MIT and Stanford” are very different places. You might consider LACs. There are many wonderful schools.
Also, check with your parents about how much money they can spend. And then run the Net Price Calculator at some of those reach schools. They tend to have really good financial aid. You might consider applying to schools that offer large merit scholarships, too. That way, you will have choices this time next year.
Thank you! It’s always nice to have someone more experienced weigh in! As for my preferences, I would like an urban location, preferably in the east or northwest, that is focused on academics but isn’t crushingly so.
If you want to work in physics, a PhD is usually necessary, which is a crushing undergrad journey (to be at the top to get the paid PhD journey). In the west Harvey Mudd, Reed and Pomona have a suburban feel, all focused on academics. Also consider CalTech, Carleton, Swarthmore, Wabash, Grinnell.
What is your home state? What is your budget? Are you parents okay with spending $300,000 over four years, and can they do this without taking on any debt?
I’d rather not say my home state but my state school has a fairly high acceptance rate so it’s already included with my safeties! Just for the sake of this, I’d rather assume budget isn’t too much of an object and focus on the schools. Thank you for your comment DadTwoGirls! It did help me focus my initial question.