Help please

College Search & Selection
1

Information:
International (from Middle East)
Major:Computer Science (probably minor in math)
GPA: 3.9 (or 3.95 not sure)
SAT: single sitting 800/800/700 (CR)
Math Level 2: 800
Physics: 800
Bio: soon
TOEFL: soon
APs: might take like 3 senior year (my school only offers them in senior year)
ECs: meh
Essays: above average
Recommendations: above average/very good
I lived in the US for 6 years if that make’s a difference.

So I recently made a thread about international FA, and, using that and information that I got from extensive research online, I made a list of colleges that I’m interested in and have everything I need AND are generous givers of FA to int’s. But i have a problem; I can’t seem to narrow down my list of 30 colleges. (Like I don’t know if I should pick one ivy over another and maybe I’ll get rejected from the one I picked and would’ve been accepted to the one I left out.) How do I know when to completely eliminate a college from my list? For example, I prefer big colleges but if i the only school I would be able to afford was small after FA or was in a big city, I wouldn’t say no.

This is the list of colleges that can be eliminated (these are undecided, the others I’m in love with):

Carleton
Washington and Lee
Brandeis
University at Buffalo
WashU
Trinity College (CT)
Tufts University
Amherst
Northwestern
Wake Forest
Georgetown
Emory
Dartmouth
UPenn
Columbia
Johns Hopkins
(I have a safety back home and one in another country and one with an automatic scholarship in the US)

I prefer big colleges, crowds, noise, stuff to do other than parties (I don’t drink),and a good social scene.
I hate feeling isolated (middle of nowhere = no unless the campus is amazing/socially active)

The problem is I just don’t know what to cross out even after researching and people’s opinions vary a lot so I can’t decide for myself since I can’t visit. If anyone has any experience with this, I’d be really thankful for your help. Thanks

2

If you can, apply to them all! It doesn’t hurt to have options when accepted. I don’t know what ones might have a fee for the application but if you really want to narrow down your list more then choose the ones that have what you prefer or get rid of ones that have something you really dislike. I know that Buffalo is a massive college campus (they have their own area code.) My cousin recently graduated from there and she loved it!

3

thanks. anyone else?

4

Are you good with maths? What’s your major

5

Are you going to be able to afford $2000-$3000 in application fees?

6

Given your preferences

I’d eliminate Amherst, Buffalo, Carleton and Dartmouth. I’d keep WashU, Northwestern, Emory, Georgetown, UPenn, Columbia, Johns Hopkins, Brandeis and Tufts.

7

I would look at Case, Pitt and Carnegie Mellon.

8

@hufflepuffle yes
@bookmama22 I’m an international student and I need FA so those are a no.
@NASA2014 CS major, I’m good at math yes

9

…Did you actually look into the ones bookmama listed before dismissing them out of hand? Pitt and Case have competitive merit awards available that may help drive the cost down.

10

yes @bodangles “may help drive the cost down” is not enough. If a college meets/almost meets full need to all students that’s much better than applying for a scholarship that I might not get even if i get accepted.

11

In addition to being in a quiet rural town, Carleton admissions is need aware even for US students.

12

only six us universities are need blind for internationals. need aware isnt a problem but yeah I deleted carleton off my list

13

What do you guys think of Tufts?

14

Tufts has an excellent reputation for computer science. Probably in the top 3 on your list.