<p>Hey y'all. I apple SCEA to Harvard. My high school allows its students to apply to ten colleges and there are 8 on my list. I might well apply to 2 more so I can give myself some more options. Some safeties I'm applying to now are NYU, Reed, and Wellesley.
Can you guys give me some more options. I like colleges near on in cities.
Thanks!</p>
<p>I don’t know if you go to some elite prep school and have enough income to cover those schools which is why you consider those schools “safeties”, but I would still look to consider schools that actually have an acceptance rate above 50% and low cost/offers merit aid you qualify for. </p>
<p>For most people those schools are not safeties. What are your grades and scores?</p>
<p>Your school sets a limit on your applications?</p>
<p>@collegeapps2k14 My college counselor has helped me through the college selection process and he himself said that these schools are in a target range for me… </p>
<p>@wasatchWriter I am not “most people”. I have worked hard throughout my school career, and my counselor with decades of experience suggested these schools in my target range. </p>
<p>@NEPatsGirl Yes. We can only apply to 10 because they don’t want us wasting money or blindly applying to schools for the wrong reasons. They want us to take time with the selection process and only apply to schools where we’d be totally happy. At first, I was annoyed, but now, it’s forced me to take time researching and visiting all of my schools, and it’s really helped me find new schools and eliminate ones that turn out to not be good fits for me.</p>
<p>“Target” is far different from safety. Ask your counselor about something that is a true safety. </p>
<p>OP, if you want advice, you need to provide more information. It’s just that simple. Notice that you have 7 replies and not one school was mentioned. Not a coincidence.</p>
<p>You might also familiarize yourself with threads posted about people who applied only to target schools and ended up with nothing.</p>
<p>A target range school is not the same as a safety. Think about it. There are lots and lots and lots of kids for whom those schools are in target range and who are going to apply. They won’t all get in just because there aren’t enough acceptances for each of them. Safety means you are well above the 75% range and they have a high acceptance rate, or you are guaranteed acceptance based on your stats under a published policy at the school. Kids who have worked hard and have stellar credentials can be disappointed too. Every spring there are posts from kids and parents who have been shut out of many schools they anticipated being accepted into. Folks here are trying to give you some advice that could keep you out of that category so be open to it.</p>
<p>In general, women’s colleges have better acceptance rates. So, if you like Wellesley, consider Bryn Mawr. It is likely closer to a true safety, offers a fine education and access to the other consortium schools (Penn, Haverford and Swarthmore) and is very close to Philly.</p>
<p>Also, you don’t mention finances but NYU is notoriously stingy. If you won’t qualify for FA but need merit consider less selective schools that are likely to want you and woo you with $$. And last but not least, sit down with your parents and run the Net Price Calculator for your schools before you finalize your list. Make sure your parents really can pay for the schools you hope to attend. </p>
<p>Good luck!</p>
<p>
I nearly spit up on the keyboard. A safety is a school you are ASSURED of getting into, can AFFORD, and would he HAPPY to attend. I’ve read on the forums from a knowledgeable Reed person that scores are only worth 25% of admission at Reed. NYU is incredibly expensive and gives poor aid. Wellesley is a highly selective LAC. </p>
<p>Right now, you have no safeties.</p>
<p>What your GC identified are schools where students who have your stats have been admitted. That is a match/target school…those are NOT safeties. </p>
<p>You could still be rejected at match/target schools for a variety of reasons…including yield protection. </p>
<p>What are your stats? and are your parents willing to pay $60k per year for any school?</p>
<p>Hello!
Might I suggest you look at the University of Michigan as well as Carnegie Mellon University? Both schools are in cities and have very strong programs. You may also be interested in UCLA.
Best of luck with everything!</p>
<p>Wow. Is Carnegie Mellon now a safety </p>
<p>To Op it seems Harvard is his safety…oh boy…</p>
<p>Well, I guess if Op is an Intel finalist and a Val from Thomas Jefferson, Harvard will open its arms.</p>
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<p>LOL!!!</p>
<p>@gearmom It mainly depends on what program you apply to there. The programs have a wide range of selectivity. Also, I’m not particularly aware of the OP’s circumstances, etc. so my suggestions were mainly an educated guess due to the school’s urban location. :)>- </p>
<p>I wish I could be a fly on the wall for the interviews.</p>
<p>@artloversplus No, Harvard is clearly my reach school, the same as it is for everyone who applies… I don’t understand why it seems impossible that I can get into NYU, Wellesley, or Reed. I was accepted to both Reed and Wellesley’s diversity programs, and NYU is accessible to anyone with acceptable stats that can afford it. No, my parents will not whip out a 60k check every year, but it is just an OPTION. I have also failed to mention that I am a recruited athlete at Vassar, so that is another option. If I don’t get accepted to any other schools, I can and will go there, and I know I would be happy. I love the campus and the people. Totally not snippy and competitive like people in this forum. People on this website always feel like they are smarter and more qualified than everyone else. I was just asking for college suggestions, not for people to tell met that I’m not good enough for particular schools… I have a guidance counselor helping me through the college process who has been in the field for a very long time. Never has he allowed a student to be rejected from every single school they apply to. Perhaps I did state the question incorrectly. I suppose Vassar is my only true safety. I am looking for schools where I am likely to get in. As someone put it earlier, “target” schools. thank you @ekroxx for actually trying to be helpful. Michigan looks like a great option for me! @WasatchWriter here are some stats: 3.8 unweighted at the best private school in my state. my sat from last year was a 2040 but I just took it for my second time last weekend, and my score should definitely be around a 2200. I just felt so much better about it this time, I have another year of school under my belt, and I actually prepared for it. I am a URM from the South, with good recs and exceptional essays. @gearmom I don’t understand your statement, but my Harvard interview went quite well. My interviewer was kind of snooty, and mentioned, “I was accepted to Harvard, Princeton, and Yale”… but overall, the conversation was good. @tomofboston : What’s so funny about not being like “most people”? MOST people have 1700s on the SAT. Most people have 26s on the ACT. I could go on and on… I’m sure you’re probably pretty above average yourself. </p>