Help me narrow down my list!

Chance Me / Match Me!
1

<p>I'm a junior at a fairly average public high school in Wisconsin. Right now I plan on going into something in the health field (physician assistant, PT or pharmacy) or engineering. I want to visit some colleges this summer so I can narrow down my list even further, but I'd like to make it a bit shorter. I know that some of the stuff I'm looking at can be found by plugging info into a college search app, but I want some personal experiences/opinions, too. I'd like some advice on which schools I shouldn't even bother applying to because I wouldn't get in or because they're not a good fit for me. Thanks!</p>

<p>**Colleges<a href="I%20know%20it's%20very%20long">/b</a>
University of Minnesota- Twin Cities
University of Wisconsin- Madison (instate)
University of Illinois at Urbana Champaign
University of Mississippi
University of Kentucky
University of Iowa
James Madison University
Pennsylvania State University (legacy)
Rutgers University New Brunswick
Syracuse University
University of Notre Dame
Purdue University
University of Michigan- Ann Arbor
University of North Carolina- Chapel Hill</p>

<p>My safeties are UW Whitewater and UW La Crosse, but I've already visited them.</p>

<p>Things I'm Looking For
-very active marching band
-strong programs in medical studies and engineering
-good German program
-a lot of study abroad opportunities
-decent Greek presence, but not overwhelming (I might join a sorority)
-music minor available</p>

<p>Academics
UW GPA: 3.858
W GPA: 4.029</p>

<p>ACT: took April 12, expecting 29 or 30
PSAT: 183
SAT: will take in June</p>

<p>AP Classes
Human Geography (4)
US History (3)
English Language (taking currently)
European History (taking currently)
Biology (will take senior year)
Calculus AB (will take senior year, BC not offered)
Psychology (will take senior year)
English Literature (will take senior year)</p>

<p>Extracurriculars
Tennis (9, 10, 11)
Track & Field (10, 11)
Color Guard (9, 10, Co-Captain 11)
Pit Orchestra (9, 11)
Jazz Band (9, 10, 11)
Pep Band (9, 10, 11)
German National Honor Society (10, Treasurer 11)
National Honor Society (11)
Class Board (10, 11)
Baton Twirling (9, 10, 11)
Assistant Baton Teacher for Rec. Department (9, 10, 11)</p>

<p><em>I plan on continuing all of these activities through my senior year, along with getting a job this summer</em></p>

<p>Awards
Several state level awards for German speaking and writing
Qualified for state 2014 for my clarinet solo
State Team Member for baton
I'm attending a Women in Engineering camp at UW Madison this summer (not an award, I know)</p>

2

<p>Look at the software provided by collegeconfidential under the heading “Find a college” on the left hand banner. </p>

3

<p>I’ve tried that (and other searches), but I didn’t find it very helpful. And I want some personal opinions and stories, too. Not just numbers and lists.</p>

4

<p><a href=“http://www.collegeconfidential.com/college_search”>http://www.collegeconfidential.com/college_search&lt;/a&gt;
takes a lot more into consideration then just numbers. </p>

5

<p>As I said, I’ve used it before and it didn’t do much for me. I have a list already and I’m trying to narrow it down, which the college search tool doesn’t really do. </p>

6

<p>Any other opinions or advice?</p>

7

<p>From what I understand, JMU has just a general engineering major rather than several concentrations. This is something to consider. UNC and UMich might be stretches, as well, but I think they’re at least worth visiting.</p>

8

<p>Before you look further into those oos public colleges, did you check their price tag? UMich will be around $55k per year by the time you matriculated and there is little aid for oos except for a few super brilliant students. UMich does meet your criteria, but you are a bit short for their admission. You need to bring up your ACT 3+ points for a decent chance.
Also, you are a bit behind if you still do not have an ACT/SAT1 score on hand by now. Are you planning to take any SAT2?</p>

9

<p>UNC-CH is an extreme reach. It is very difficult for non-residents to get into. You might consider replacing it with NC State. A friend’s daughter was in the marching band at NC State (from NJ), and I think she received a music scholarship from them. </p>