Help with Narrowing College Choices Please

College Search & Selection
1

<p>Hey guys,</p>

<p>I've had a busy junior year summer. I was at Gov. School until a couple weeks ago and that experience has changed what I am looking for in a college! So, after touring some schools, my list is too big. So, could you help me cut it down?</p>

<p>Stats:
GPA:4.361 (W)<--- prob. highest or 2nd highest GPA in class (school doesn't do UW GPA)
Ranking: N/A, school doesn't rank
SAT: 2250+ (I know everyone hates guessed scores, but just bear with me please. Have taken many practice tests and all are at 2250 or higher)
SAT II: Bio (740), Math 2 (790), World History (770)
Classes:</p>

<p>9th:
Bio HN (A)
World History 1 HN (A)
English 9 HN (A)
Alg. 2 HN (A)
PE 9 (A)
Photo 1 (A)
Spanish 2 (A)</p>

<p>10th:
Chem HN (A)
AP World History (A) Score:5
English 10 HN (A)
Precalc w/Trig HN (A)
PE 10 (A)
AP Stat (A) Score:4
Spanish 3 (A)
Leadership (A)</p>

<p>11th:
AP Chem
AP Lang
AP Physics B
AP Calc BC
US History HN
Spanish 4
Advanced Composition/ Writing Center
(FYI- 4 AP is the max for high achieving juniors, any more is suicide)</p>

<p>12th:
AP Physics C
AP Lit
AP Gov/AP Comp Gov
AP Econ
Mulitvar Calc/ Matrix Algebra
AP Spanish OR Spanish 5 (can't decide yet)
Advanced Composition/ Writing Center</p>

<p>ECs:
MUN (9-12) Secretary 11th, Pres/VP 12th
Debate (10-12) Varsity team
Mock Trial (11-12) Founder, Pres
Math Honor Society/ Mu Alpha Theta (10-12) Executive Council 11th, Pres 12th
History Honor Society
Science Honor Society
National Honor Society
Volunteer at highly renown hospital (app. 250 hours by end of Junior year)
Rec League Basketball (7 years, 5 championships)
Rec League Basketball Coach for 7th graders (at least 75 hrs of volunteering)</p>

<p>Also, chosen for 2012 Gov. School as a sophomore</p>

<p>So, Here is my list of schools:</p>

<p>Harvard*
Yale*
Princeton*
Vandy*
UVA (instate)*
W&M (instate)*
VCU (instate)*
Pitt*</p>

<p>Columbia
Dartmouth
Williams
Penn-LSM/CAS
Duke
JHU
Brown
Georgetown
Washington and Lee</p>

<p>*=will stay on list</p>

<p>So, as my list is, it's way too long. I would like to cut this down to 12, 14 max if some of the schools don't have long supplements max.</p>

<p>What I want in a school is that it has more that 2k people, in the mid-atlantic or northeast, has a neuroscience or comparable major, good med school placement, and most importantly, a strong undergrad community. Money is not really a factor at this point. So, any tips would be helpful. Also, if you think there is a school that fits my criteria, i would greatly appreciate the help. Thanks!</p>

2

<p>You haven’t given a lot of criteria to help us help you sort through the remaining schools. Washington and Lee has 1759 undergrads and 400 or so grads. Does it meet the size criteria? Williams has about 2000. Is that enough?</p>

<p>Otherwise, all the schools on your second list meet the criteria you describe.</p>

3

<p>Thanks for the reply M! Maybe I was too lenient with what I wanted, let me try to get more specific:</p>

<p>-Needs to be in Mid-Atlantic or Northeast
-Equal or Greater to 5000 total students on campus (guess that takes out Williams and W&L)
-Neuroscience or comparative major available
-Diverse student body (politically, racially, ethnically, etc)
-Greek life not controlling of school social scene
-Good Med School Placement
-Close tight-knight undergrad community
-Research Opportunities for undergrads
-Intramural sports
-Good surrounding area
-Woodsyish campus (just for reference, Columbia’s campus is wooded enough for me)</p>

<p>Hope this helps!</p>

4

<p>JHU isn’t woodsy, isn’t in a great neighborhood in Baltimore, and the undergrad pre-med community is famous for its intensity and competitiveness. Still a good fit for you?</p>

<p>And Dartmouth has only 4,250 undergrads (but 6,150 in total enrollment). Is that big enough?</p>

5

<p>Okay, cutting JHU, Williams, and JHU. Dartmouth is big enough for me. I think I’ll take out Gtown (not really known well for sciences, more of an IR school). That leaves 13 schools. Would still like to cut down. Any more tips would be nice! Any other schools (on any part of list) known for cut throat pre-med like JHU? Thanks</p>

6

<p>bump please</p>