Help me make my list shorter

College Search & Selection
1

<p>Hello CC! It is almost the start of my senior year and I am trying to get my list down for applications in December. I like to aim high in my college aspirations despite having a bit of an "average" stat for applications. I am hoping you guys can help decrease my list of college below. =) Thanks in Advance.</p>

<p>P.S: If there is a school you think I could get in that is not listed. I would be more than happy to check it out!</p>

<p>Gender: Male
Ethnicity: Black
Location: Florida
GPA Unweighted: 3.82
Top 10% of Class
SAT: 720 Math 680 Writing 690 Reading
SAT II: Taking in November
AP Classes Taken: 8
All the rest are Honors classes</p>

<p>Planned College route: Pre-med and majoring in Physics
Don't factor in the expensive variable. It will most likely not be a problem.</p>

<p>Extracurricular Activities/Other Info:
Spanish Club 2 years
Japanese Club 2 Years
Torchlights(school magazine) Editor
4 Years of Swimming
1 Year of Basketball
1 Year of Soccer
136 Hours of Volunteer Hours at a Nursing Home
National Honor Society 4 Years
Honor Roll 4 Years
Science Fair Judge at my school and other schools for 2 years
Founder of the school's Chess Club and Team</p>

<p>Personal Note: I am looking for a school with a reputation. It doesn't have to be the largest, but enough so that people will know exactly what I am talking about. I am also looking for a school that has a nice location also and maybe a nice campus.</p>

<p>College list(I know some are major reaches but I want to know what to cut):</p>

<p>Columbia University(haha)
University of Pennsylvania(Father went there)
University of Florida
New York University
University of Miami
University of North Florida(Safety school)
University of California (Irvine mainly)
Florida State University
University of the Sciences in Philadelphia
Duke University(a friend of mine is paying for the app. but listed anyways)
Wake Forest University</p>

2

<p>U of Illinois - Urbana-Champaign, John Hopkins, and Penn state would be some good ones to add to the list. I think you should take out NYU, U Miami, Wake forest, and Florida state. From what I know, they don't really have good physics programs.</p>

3

<p>^^He's premed, so it's probably not that crucial for the physics program to be top-notch. I know NYU has a great math program; I would be surprised if their physics program isn't at least decent. If you are premed, the reputation of the school overall is more important than the reputation of the major.</p>

<p>It seems like you've got quite a number of safeties, though. I would apply early action to one of your favorites so you can trim down your safeties and maybe add a few matches or reaches.</p>

4

<p>Since you are both URM and a Penn legacy, it seems applying to Penn (ED to take advantage of legacy) would be your best chance at a "prestige" school</p>

5

<p>Good EC + URM + Legacy + ED Penn = In</p>

6

<p>You are not average. You are a really solid candidate. University of the Sciences does not need to be on your list, unless you have a personal reason to apply there. I agree that Johns Hopkins seems to fit your needs, although you already have plenty of good schools on your list. You will get into many of your schools and will need to make some choices.</p>

7

<p>i'm top 5% and i was thinking of university of the sciences in philadelphia as well. is that not a good school, onemom? what is its reputation like?</p>