Hello! I feel as if I have an excessive amount of safety schools on my common app, and I would like honest opinions about some good reach schools that I would have a decent shot at getting into.
Some that I am considering at UMD College Park, Wesleyan University, American University, and George Washington University. If you can offer insight into these, and offer some suggestions I would appreciate it very much!
About Me:
Sex: F
From: Public High School in New Jersey
Race: Caucasian
Stats:
ACT: 29
Rank: Top 15% in a graduating class of 420 (listed as top 20% on common app)
UW: 3.91
W: 4.06 (my school uses a 4.5 scale, not a 5.0 scale)
AP Scores: AP Micro: 4; AP Lang: 3 (I don’t think I’m going to submit this score)
Classes:
Senior Year Courses: AP Modern European History, AP Literature and Composition, AP Macroeconomics, AP Environmental Science, Honors Calculus, Honors Business Management, Honors Business Practice Firm, Health/Gym
AP Courses (Junior and Senior Year): AP Microeconomics, AP Language and Composition, AP U.S. Government and Politics, AP Literature and Composition, AP Modern European History, AP Macroeconomics, AP Environmental Science
All A’s Sophomore and Junior year
Extracurriculars:
DECA: Member for 3 years. Director of Public Relations, Current Chapter President. Got award for 3rd highest test score in my event in regional competitions, got 2nd place in Advertising campaign at state competition. Competed at international level and received an award for competing.
GSA (gender-sexuality alliance): Member for 3 years. Chapter Co-President two years in a row. Organized an event and drive to donate hygienic goods to center for gay/trans individuals
Biology Scholars:Member for 3 years. Chapter Co-President two-years in a row. Participated in a variety of dissections and organized chapter meetings
FBLA: Member for 3 years. Chapter secretary junior year. Participated in regional competitions
Science National Honor Society: Inducted Junior Year, and am now participating senior year
National Honor Society: Inducted Junior Year, and am now participating senior year.
-South Asian Appreciation Club: Member for 3 years. Participated in dances and “fashion show” to appreciate the South Asian culture.
Political Activism: Lobbying for a bill my AP Government and Politics class made. We have lobbied in Washington, D.C. and have been introduced in the House and Senate. We go to Washington, D.C. to meet with politicians and lobby. Furthermore, I have been active in marches for gun reform.
Employment:
Work at a continuing care retirement community all of junior year and now senior year as a waitress in their dining facility
Volunteering:
60+ hours from a religious organization
I anticipate entering as either an economics, marketing, or political science major.
Why do you feel you need a reach school? Most of the students I know who apply to reach schools do so because they’ve “always wanted to go there” (like Penn St) but their stats make it a reach school, they are “lottery schools” with low admissions to all even though they would otherwise be match schools (admission rates < 15% - 20%), or the finances are really good if they happen to get in (meets full need).
It sounds to me like you want to add some just to have some. I’m not sure that’s a very good reason. Perhaps I’m missing something?
Are you able to be full pay if you got into a reach school? Are the NPCs at the schools you are considering affordable? Have you visited these schools to see if you like them? If so, check out course offerings and any research profs you might have are doing (if research interests you) and add accordingly.
Both GW & American would provide great opportunities to intern if you are considering Poli-Sci and the city has a lot to offer in terms of free things to do. My son is a Freshman at American and has a major you might be interested in - CLEG: Communications, Legal Institutions, Economics, and Government. He loves American and DC. One of his friends is going to GW and really loves it too. I think you have a shot at both. American is very selective in the RD round, but it’s better not to have a perfect GPA & extremely high Test scores during the RD round. They practice yield protection by denying really high stats students who they think are using AU as a safety. I think your profile is really solid for AU. They love demonstrated interest so make sure to visit if you apply. You can also attend webinars where your attendance will be noted.
@Creekland I feel as if I am limiting myself by applying to a lot of safety schools. I am considering finances in my decision, and that is why I am applying EA and RD to all of my schools as well as including a good amount of schools I know I will receive merit aid at. I have run NPCs, and I will be taking out loans for school.
@sahmkc thank you so much for informing me on the CLEG major! that is extremely interesting, as I am interested in both economics and political science. I will definitely be looking into this!
@MYOS1634 I did a net price calculator on GWU and I would have to take out a large loan, so I am not sure if I should apply. I am also going to apply to scholarships at American that I have looked into if I decide to apply. Opinions?
Remember that without a cosigner you can only take out federal loans ($5500 the first two years, a little more each additional year if I recall correctly). You really shouldn’t want more debt than that anyway in order to be able to get a decent start on life. No undergrad school is worth high debt. Of the students I come across who regret their college experience, high debt is a major cause.
Applying sooner rather than later is often helpful for merit aid. If you see scholarships that might work for you at American (or elsewhere), get your application in.