How does this list look?

College Search & Selection
1

<p>Hi, I’m new to CC, but I was wondering if anyone could comment on my list of schools. I’m looking for a residential community, strong academics, small/medium size (but larger is fine), lots of “diversity,” either on the east coast, west coast, or near a city (but northeast would be my strong preference). I’m undecided as to majors, but I’m leaning towards the social sciences.</p>

<p>Here are my stats:
Female, asian
SAT I: 770 V, 730 M, 740W; SAT IIs: 730 Math IIc, 770 Lit, 720 Chem, 790 US
GPA: 3.88 (UW)
APs: Chem-4, US-5, currently taking Calc BC, Phys B, Psych
Mostly honors/advanced courses</p>

<p>ECs
(mostly 4+ years of involvement in each)
Key Club (variety of leadership positions since 10th grade), Language competition (1st place state), Girl Scouts (Gold, Silver Award), Red Cross volunteer work, Camp counselor, Cross-country/track, dance, president/founder of quirky club</p>

<p>Math award (9), Social studies award (10,11), Biology award (9), NHS, National merit semifinalist</p>

<p>Have worked part-time since summer after 9th grade.</p>

<p>This is my current list of schools:
UCB
UCLA
USC
Stanford
Harvard
Yale
Brown
Dartmouth
UPenn
Wash U in St Louis
Northwestern
Tufts
Brandeis
Wellesley
BU</p>

<p>I could definitely use some help cutting down this list. I know I have too many reaches, and not enough matches/safeties. I'm also looking for merit scholarships. Do you have any suggestions for schools to cut/schools to add? And if you have any other advice I would really appreciate it. Thanks =)</p>

2

<p>bump....please?</p>

3

<p>Berkeley seems to be a good match, both in and out of state. If I were yo, I'd take out BU, either Brandies or Wellesley, Wash U is known for Bio, not sure about History, and take out either Yale or Harvard, pick one super reach, not two.</p>

4

<p>UCB
UCLA
Stanford
Harvard
Yale
UPenn
Wash U in St Louis
Northwestern
Tufts
Brandeis
BU</p>

<p>I'd say this is a nice list. Take out a few ivies, and it's fine. BU and Brandeis will be enough as safeties.</p>

5

<p>Which social science? Psych? Poly Sci? Sociology? Anthro? Econ? It would make a difference. I do not think USC and Washington U SL are strong in the social sciences. Maybe substitute UC Santa Barbara or UC San Diego. Drop Brandeis, Wellesley, and Boston U. Add U Chicago. Keep Tufts, UCSB or UCSD as safeties. Tufts is strong in international relations and child psych, if those are your interests. If you want to be near a city, drop Dartmouth. That would leave 11 colleges, still a little high but manageable. Maybe drop either Harvard or Yale. You have lots of reaches.</p>

<p>UCB
UCLA
UCSD or UCSB
Stanford
Harvard
Yale
Brown
UPenn
Northwestern
Tufts
U Chicago</p>

6

<p>UCB
UCLA
Harvard
UPenn
Wash U in St Louis
Northwestern
BU / Brandeis</p>

<p>I think this is a much better list. The Dartmouth environment doesn't fit your description and Brown expliciltly states on CollegeBoard.com that they care more about ECs than stats. Choose between Brandeis and BU and see which one you like the best. You'll probably get in to both so you only need one really good safety. I also took out Yale and left Harvard because Yale is extremely competitive this year and your ECs and awards don't stand out enough. I left Harvard because I've seen many kids from schools with top stats like yours but mediocore ECs/Awards always get wait-listed, so there's a lot of hope for Harvard.</p>

<p>But then again, I'm just a kid lol. But I think this is now a great list to work with.</p>

7

<p>If i were you, id go with BU rather than Brandeis.</p>

8

<p>You will probably feel out of place at Brandeis.
Do you really need to apply to 5 ivies? no.</p>

9

<p>Thanks for all advice. </p>

<p>In response to collegehelp, I'm actually unsure of which social science, but I'm pretty sure that's the general area of study I'd end up in because all of my current interests (econ, history, psych, anthro) are in that area. </p>

<p>From all the replies, it seems like I should cut out either Yale, Brown, Dartmouth, or both. It also seems like I should substitute something else(maybe UCSD) for USC, but the reason it attracts me is because of the merit money especially for NM scholars, especially as I am OOS for the UCs. I also have Brandeis, BU, and Wash U because they all offer significant merit awards. What do you think of my chances of getting merit money at any of them? I know Brandeis and BU are both pretty good bets, but the amount of merit money would make the difference if I had to make a choice. </p>

<p>Kcirsch, about the "You will probably feel out of place at Brandeis," would it be for academic, social, or religious reasons? I was reading threads on the Brandeis forum, and it seems like Brandeis isn't much fun. What would you say the social atmosphere is in general? I know Brandeis is a Jewish school (similar to how BC is Catholic?), but would it be weird going there if I'm not Jewish? I was just going to apply because it is a free application...(and same with Wellesley) and also common app (who doesnt love common app =) )</p>

10

<p>I think the Jewish feel at Brandies is pretty strong, and even tho many students are not Jewish, alot of them are international students. I have heard it is not much fun either. If you visited though, you prolly know better than me.</p>

11

<p>xxyyzz:</p>

<p>Assuming you are a California resident,
UCB/UCLA: Match</p>

12

<p>flopsy,</p>

<p>i wish i were a california resident. are you originally from california or were you out of state? and, sorry if this is dumb, but what made you choose UCLA over the rest of the schools you were considering? i know it's a great school, but i'm wondering if i want to be "just another number." any experience with this? thanks...</p>

13

<p>For reachy matches, consider Emory and Vanderbilt. Vandy has merit aid. Maybe Rice is a good add too. Is Tulane back on track? Another urban merit aid school. Going for some geographic differences on your list can help.</p>

14

<p>Your test scores and academics are amazing - but you lack just a little extra curricular which may or may not affect your admission into the Ivies. You might be reaching a little too high. I would encourage you to apply to the following:</p>

<p>UCB
UCLA
Stanford
Brown
Wash U in St Louis
Northwestern
Tufts
BU</p>

<p>Something like that?</p>