<p>This summer I would like to visit a number of colleges that I would like to apply to. After posting several other threads I have my list down to about 15 (which is still too many). I would like to narrow my list down to 6-8 colleges including two safety schools. I would like for people to give me opinions on the following schools (and opinions on my chances at getting in) that I am looking into, keeping in mind that I will be heavily reliant financial aid. My G.P.A. is 3.6 (unweighted), 4.1 (weighted), SAT was 1800 (haven't takent the ACT yet), 4 A.P. classes and extra curriculars that include mentoring, French Club, and FCCLA. My major will be International Relations and I would like to go to school on the east coast (unless I get stuck at one of my safety schools). </p>
<p>Safeties:</p>
<p>University of Cincinnati
Northern Kentucky University
Indiana University-Purdue University-Indianapolis
Indiana University </p>
<p>Others: </p>
<p>American University
Colby College
Connecticut College
Fairfield University
George Washington University
Mount Holyoke College (My Top Choice)
Simmons College
Skidmore College
Smith College
Stonehill College
Wheaton College </p>
<p>Thanks!</p>
<p>What i thought about was “am i applying to this school to make me feel better when I get in/just applying for the hell of it” OR “i really want to go there!!” try to look up stuff about the campuses and see what fits you best and where you can genuinely see yourself going</p>
<p>
OP, I know you’re from the midwest but what is your home state? Your safeties are in OH, KY and IN but you will be OOS for at least two of those with only Federal FA. You stated your EFC was ~8K so you would not be eligible for Pell Grant and would only be eligible for loans so some of those safeties MIGHT be safeties for admission but not for finances.</p>
<p>Of the remaining schools American probably has the best IR program. I have no idea where you might get some merit aid. What is your financial safety?</p>
<p>Indiana is my home state, but because of my location UC and NKU offer in-state tuition for the county where I reside.</p>
<p>Given this, almost all of my safety schools are comparable in tuition, though NKU would be the cheapest.</p>
<p>Since you want 6-8 I would say keep:
Indiana university
NKU
American
Colby
George washington
Mount Holyoke
Skidmore or Smith</p>
<p>How does your math + verbal break down? You will probably need 1370 to have a good chance at Colby. It’s quite impressive and I wouldn’t eliminate it, but it may be a reach. You could just apply and not visit unless you happen to get in. Only because geographically it is a ways from your mid-Massachusetts trip and your D.C. area trip. It seems like you might as well look at both Smith and Holyoke so you can compare women’s colleges and because they are close to each other. You can also visit some schools by dropping in for just the tour (spending 2 hours, let’s say) and others for a longer stint. I don’t know Simmons, Fairfield, Wheaton and Stonehill as well----maybe narrow those down to one unless they are very close to each other. Maybe you should try to see Conn College and think about dropping in at Trinity too??</p>