<p>So I know some of the schools I want to apply to, but they aren't safeties, like UVa (in state). Although I don't really have a reason for applying there, it's just UVa (I'm pretty certain I would like it though from all the people I know who go there). </p>
<p>I'm not really sure about safeties. I guess UVa is sort of a match-reach for me (because it's not really a definite thing for anyone I guess), but it's not exactly a long shot. I just don't know where to start for finding other places I'd like to apply. I don't think I have a preference geographically. I guess I would want good academic oppurtunities, co ed, I'm not really big on it being small although I suppose I wouldn't exactly rule it out. But I'm running out of time to come up with a list and start working on applications. </p>
<p>So how did you narrow down your list/decide what you liked? Or if you have specific suggestions for me to look into. I don't really know my weighted GPA or anything because our junior yr IB classes aren't weighted...I had all As freshmen and sophomore year, one B junior year. 7 IB classes junior year, seven senior year (IB diploma). I have kind of procrastinated on SATs because of scheduling constraints, but I took them once without much prep and got 1400/2170, hoping to raise it to at least 1500 when I take it again. From northern Va, not an under represented college area. I have pretty solid EC commitment...leaning towards majoring in business and I will have taken two years of IB Business.</p>
<p>Umm I wouldn't say UVA is a match-reach for you. More like a match-safety. I mean you're in-state, have a 1400, and it sounds like your UW GPA is like a 3.9</p>
<p>You can look at some pretty competitive schools with your numbers. Just look into some. I personally wouldn't look so much into picking a school by major, but that my personal feeling.</p>
<p>I personally did set a geographic area, and it really helped narrow my list down. Think about how far from home do you want to be? For me I wanted to be atleast a couple hours away but still within a day's drive. Also, is money an issue for you?, because I've realized all to well that it can narrow down a list quite quickly.</p>
<p>Somewhat of an issue, I mean I'm not going to go to any random private college for full price probably unless there's really a reason for me to go there. Merit aid would be nice. If I were to get into HYP or something and I really wanted to go, my parents have said they could make it happen. But I don't think that's terribly likely, although I may try applying to one or two Ivies and cross my fingers like everyone else. I've toured Princeton and I thought it was nice.</p>
<p>I guess I probably would get into UVa but I still don't want to count on it. I've seen some pretty surprising rejections. Although based on the kids who made it from my school this year I have a pretty good shot. </p>
<p>Geographically I don't really care if it's even really close, I'd still live on campus. I'm considering applying to UMCP, which is like 45 min away at most. I don't really know about going to the other side of the country though. I don't know that there's really any colleges on the west coast that I'm that excited about. Probably I'd want to stay on the east coast. </p>
<p>Some of the colleges I've thought about as ones I'd like to go to: Johns Hopkins, William and Mary, UMCP, Princeton, I guess VTech or Mason as a safety. But I'm not sure if I just came up with selective schools or if I really want to go there...I've been to all of the places and they seem nice enough but my problem is I can't really see hating anything...so I haven't really ruled anything out.</p>
<p>Well thats a start. If I were in your position I'd apply to UVA and W&M without thinking about it; in-state they are just too good to pass up. Those would go in the match category. You seem to have a couple safeties and you culd proably even put Maryland in the safety column with the honors program being very likely. I'd say thats definitely a good option. Delaware would be a similar situation. With VTech and Mason, though, you have to ask yourself: do I really want to go here? I had trouble finding safeties I liked at first, but eventually found a few. I have similar stats to yours but I looked more at LACs, which doesn't seem to be your thing, so I know know a lot of options for that. Like you said for private schools to make sense as safeties, financially speaking, they need to offer good merit aid. </p>
<p>North Carolina has a lot options if you want to go a bit south. Duke, UNC-Chapel Hill, and Wake Forest all have great academics, sports, and really nice campuses. Wake would be another match; the other two are reaches for basically everyone.</p>
<p>Looking a bit more south there are the three that are often lumped together as the good, southern privates: WashingtonU in St. Louis, Vandy, and Emory. They are kind of reach-y but not out of reach.</p>
<p>You mentioned Johns Hopkins as a good one. If you wanted to look more up North that would open up a whole bunch of other options. </p>
<p>Did you want to in a city/by a city? Defined campus (not scattered buildings)? Liberal vs. Conservative? Frats prominent? Preppy vs. artsy?</p>
<p>Thanks for the responses, I really appreciate it. You have given me some good things to think about. I don't mind looking up north but I also don't have issues with the south or anything. </p>
<p>I guess my next step is to look into merit aid at some of these schools. I also am kind of in a position where I have a sport that's kind of limited. I'm not going to get recruited or anything but I could theoretically get on an NCAA team. I wouldn't mind doing it as a club sport but that's kind of limited still too. UVa and W and M both have options though. I've decided not to make it a make or break factor like some of my teammates have (if I really liked the school), but it would be sort of a major plus...so I guess that's another way I can narrow down my list.</p>
<p>need-based aid is a much likelier choice. out of the top schools in the Northeast, only JHU has a significant number of merit-based scholarships. remember, though, those same top schools in the Northeast have huge endowments (sometimes $200,000 or more per student) and also huge alumni bases, allowing them to give huge amounts of need-based financial aid.</p>
<p>after need-based aid, UVA would have actually been the most expensive choice for me (actually about $5,000 more expensive than JHU).</p>
<p>anyway, UVA and W&M are solid choices for anyone who lives in Virginia. UVA does have a good business school. if you apply and are chosen as an Echols Scholar, you should strongly consider it. you could even try for the Jefferson Scholarship if you feel ambitious.</p>
<p>UMCP is a huge school. 25,000 undergraduates is just too much for me.</p>
<p>UPenn would be a good choice, IMO. they are well-known for their business school, but the school overall is quite good. my cousin goes there and he enjoys it a lot. they also have a slightly higher acceptance rate than, say, Princeton.</p>
<p>Thanks for the tips! My school's not signed up or whatever for the Jefferson scholarship nomination. I looked...I don't think I would have time anyway though so I guess it doesn't matter.</p>
<p>The University of Delaware is definitely a safety for you. My son, also an out-of-stater, was admitted to that school with a merit scholarship with statistics way lower than yours.</p>