Help with college list- Match Schools?

College Search & Selection
1

I’m a junior right now who’s just starting the college search process. I have a few reach schools in mind, but I have no idea where to start with my match and safety schools and was looking for some help.

ACT: 35C (36E, 36M, 33R, 36 S, 27W)
SAT: (should I send?) superscore 2270 (670 CR, 800 M, 800 W) highest composite 2250 (780 M)
SAT 2: 800 M2, 800 BioE
GPA: 4.0 unweighted, 4.42 weighted
EC’s- Math team, quiz bowl, math honor society, french honor society, nhs, student mentor for freshman, varsity badminton, tutor at mathnasium

I’m thinking about majoring in applied mathematics and go into either business or engineering, but that could change very easily. I’m just lost in what would be considered match and safety schools and could use some guidance. Thanks in advance!

2

I’ll define Match as a 40-60% chance of admittance.

A lot more goes into this than just numbers, but based solely on your test scores and GPA, I think that among your match schools would be these:

Tulane
Boston U
NYU
University of Rochester
Lehigh
Wake Forest
Northeastern
Case Western Reserve
Holy Cross
Lafayette
Macalester
Whitman
Colorado College
Sewanee
Most OOS public schools
Your state flagship (might also be a low match)

High matches might include schools like these (25-40% chance):
Emory
Boston College
USC
Tufts
Brandeis
Reed
Colby
Grinnell
Davidson
OOS top UCs
OOS UVA
OOS U Michigan
OOS UNC

For you, based solely on your stats, reaches and low reaches are (essentially)
the top 20 private universities and top 10-15 LACs.

(An odd case is Emory: I consider it, as many do, to be a top-20 private university. But for whatever reason, its admit % is higher than the other schools in its ranking cohort. Anyway, that explains why I listed it as a high match for you.)

Finally, a safety is a school that you can absolutely afford, that you are certain you’d get into (or nearly certain), and that you would not mind attending.

I recommend reading up on these and (obviously) other schools – the schools I listed are meant only as a starting point.

In your search, you want to figure out if you would like the culture, environment, classes/programs offered, if you could afford to attend, and if the weather would be bearable – in other words, if the school would be a “fit” for you. Apply to schools that are, or could be, a fit.

3

@prezbucky That helps a lot thanks so much!

4

Send your ACT. That CR score will hurt you.

5

You have a chance at many schools!
What’s your budget? What are your geographic/size preferences?

6

@intparent Yeah that’s what I was thinking as well.

@newjerseygirl98 I really don’t know what my budget is because I have a twin as well. I’m gonna just throw out a number and say maybe about 40k a year but that’s nothing more than a guess. As for the other things, I’d prefer to stay in the northeast, east coast, or california, and preferably a mid sized school between 4k and 10k undergrads.

7

You need to talk to your parents about money. There is no point in picking out a bunch of schools you csn’t afford. Each college has a net price calculator on their website – you and your twin should be working with your parents to run then yo see what your expected cost would be.

You need to start with finding a safety (possibly your state flagship or a state school). A place you are sure to get into, know you can afford, and are willing to attend. I always think 2 safeties are a good idea, actually.

8

40K is a high estimate for most families. Definitely talk to your parents first. I’ll help then!