<p>interesteddad:
I agree- some of the schools are total opposites of eachother. I want to visit a wide variety because, as of now, I don't really know if I want an urban/rural environment with a large/small student body, etc. Hopefully I'll figure out where I'm most comfortable after I visit.
As for the schools you suggested...the one thing I do know is that I don't want to go to an all-girls school. Schools like Amherst and Williams sound like they would fit me well, though- thanks for the suggestions, I really do need to consider a few schools that are somewhere in the gap between the SUNYs and the other schools.
*My question for you (since you seem very knowledgable about the admissions process) is, how do you think I can make myself a more competitive student at my Reach schools? Esp. the ones that are long shots?</p>
<p>slipper1234: Thanks for your advice- I will definitely take it into consideration, seeing as we have so many of the same preferences. :)</p>
<p>Alexandre: That does sound more time-efficient, but my parents are really pressuring me to get it all done in one week...:( Maybe I can get them to think about it, though.</p>
<p>Hi We're going ...- please forgive me if I overlooked anything- as I only do a REALLY quick read of these threads- but I did notice your cheerleading comment. Don't laugh but even Ivy's need and want cheerleaders. One of those "friend of friend stories"... Great applicant wanted to go to Columbia. Had a good shot but was like so many other metro NY applicants- great grades, SAT 1400 range (old score) etc. etc. Thought she had a chance to get in but did not count on it. Anyhow, she was also very involved in cheerleading. Apparently all the Ivys as well as top schools do have cheerleading squads and really do want and need kids with that skill. So as your grades etc. make you a contender, having that background plus the cheerleading experience may help to make you a sure thing. Just wanted to pass that info onto you. So don't sell cheerleading short. That could be your "hook". And my d is at Cornell- I think the cutthroat mentality is more a myth than a reality. She's in the ILR program and very happy there. There may be more of a competitive atmosphere in pre-med but most of the other programs seem ok. Good luck.</p>
<p>InterestedDad, I think the schools on her list (and mine) all have something in common, "chill" students. Dartmouth and Brown might be slightly different socially, but the spirit and nature of the student bodies is very similar. I have spent a significant amount of time at both schools and they are incredibly friendly. All the schools on her list share that, except NYU. It sounds like NYU isn't this girls cup of tea at all. </p>
<p>If she gets into Michigan she woun't have to worry about safeties, but maybe a couple between the Dartmouth/ Brown/ Duke area and the Michigan area like Northwestern or Vassar would be great to add.</p>
<p>Marny1: That's awesome! It's so nice to hear something like that, when most of the time people roll their eyes or laugh when I tell them that cheerleading is one of my main ECs. I never started cheering because I thought it would help me get into college (actually, I kind of thought that some admissions officers would look down on me for it). Your friend's story is definitely encouraging!
Oh, and as far as Cornell goes, I think that my view of it probably based on rumors to a certain extent. I am leaning towards pre-med, though, so I'm a little intimidated by the threats of grade deflation there...</p>
<p>slipper1234: I am definitely attracted to the thought of a friendly campus community without cutthroat competition/uptight students...Hmm it looks like I definitely need to find some schools to fill that gap between my super safeties and reaches...Eek how am I going to fit in even more schools, though?</p>
<p>we're<em>going</em>down_swinging, unless you prefer Northwstern or Vassar to Michigan, I would not add them to your already large list. Academically speaking, all the schools you are looking at are pretty even with the exception of Princeton and Stanford. What separates Brown, Cornell, Dartmouth, Duke, Michigan and Northwestern is not academic quality or reputation...it's selectivity. In terms of academic reputation and quality, those schools are all pretty even, albeit completely different. In terms of selectivity, Dartmouth and Duke are slightly more selective than Brown, Brown is slightly more selective than Cornell or Northwestern and Cornell and Northwestern are slightly more selective than Michigan. I'd say that Michigan is a very safe match. If you apply to Michigan in September, you should get an acceptance by late October. The rest of the schools are primarily matches and slight reaches. Princeton and Stanford are your main reaches, and those can go either way.</p>
<p>Hey! My advice is to make your life easier by not visiting them all...you are lucky since you live on the east coast so it won't be hard to fit some visits in on just a couple trips. I actually hadn't visited half my schools when I applied, the pre-college visits only really helped me eliminate schools and helped me choose my ED school. I think Duke and Stanford might be the only non-east coast trips to take. If you replace NYU with Northwestern and add two reaches like Amherst and Penn you still only have 10 schools, which is a lot, but not overwhelming.</p>
<p>Okay, so I think I'm going to eliminate NYU b/c it sounds completely unappealing.
As of now, the only school that I absolutely HAVE to see is Dartmouth...so far, it's my first choice b/c it just sounds perfect for me. :)</p>
<p>Someone from this board had recommended a website -- <a href="http://www.collegiatechoice.com%5B/url%5D">www.collegiatechoice.com</a> that sells unpolished videos of campus visits/info sessions. It's not a slick presentation of what the school would put out, but an amateur video of what it would be like to be on a campus tour and listen to the tour guide. We ordered a few, and it's really given us a sense of the schools. We've visited a few campuses ourselves, and while it's not exactly like being there in person, it definitely does give you a feel for the campus, the school, etc. that's of value. You might want to consider this for a few of the schools on your list.</p>
<p>That's great, Dartmouth is amazing. The most fun, happy, cool, interesting people around who all like hanging out with each other, are brilliant, but manage to have the time of their lives. What other school has four "big weekends" a year, and comes up with ideas like polar bear swims and parties on rafts in a river?</p>
<p>You really should visit Cornell because it's an amazing school. The diversity of offerings in their course catalog will blow you away. And, you would get a tuition break in some of the colleges as an in-state student. My son is there, and so far has not found it necessary to sabotage anyone's experiments nor jump into a gorge.;) Please keep an open mind!</p>
<p>I have been known as a Cornell "hater" in the past, but I have changed my tune over time. Cornell excels in certain areas and Ithaca isn't half bad. But Cornell is different than the other Ivies, in my eyes its like an Ivy League and private University of Michigan. Its larger and although has a sense of school spirit, its fragmentation means there is less community. Sure there is Hockey and a big weekend, but its size and the science/ grad school focus mean its isn't as "warm and fuzzy" as a Dartmouth, Brown, Princeton, Stanford, or Duke. </p>
<p>
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I think Cornell has too much cutthoat competition/grade deflation/etc. (from what I've heard) for me
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</p>
<p>Like Midwesterner said, you might be suprised how appealing Cornell is.</p>
<p>It has plenty of "chill" students and like Dartmouth tends to manufacture its own fun becuase of its more remote location. There is plenty of community spirit.</p>
<p>It is very strong in the sciences and has TONS of undergraduate research opportunites.</p>
<p>The cutthroat / competition / grade deflation story is a myth.</p>
<p>If you get accepted, you can handle the work. Don't sell yourself short. Afterall, don't you want to continue to be challenged once you go to college?</p>
<p>LOL Slipper...I didn't see your post before I wrote mine...thanks for the nod to the big red...</p>
<p>WGDS - </p>
<p>We're all tosing out opinions here - make no mistake about it - so take it all with a big grain of sodium. I grant you that a 4,000 person school may feel "cozier" but I think you'll find that Cornell has many cozy spots inside its remarkably vibrant community. </p>
<p>You'll likely have lots of choices at the end of this process. Try to enjoy it. There really isn't a bad option in the bunch.</p>
<p>become a recruited athlete
become a URM
get a perfect SAT score
develop a cure for cancer</p>
<p>Obviously I'm kidding. The fact is there are no magic bullets...at the super selective schools, they have too many great applicants for too few spots...hence the feeling that its like a lottery.</p>
<p>You can only do your best by working hard on your essays. Try and find your authentic voice. Do your best to communicate what it is that makes you tick. The application is a bit like a marketing package. You need to have this main communication (the essay) match up with your EC's and your teacher reccomendations to shape a cohesive message as to what you are all about. If you pick teachers who know you well, then this will happen naturally.</p>