<p>The thing is, most of the schools that are safe for me are also schools I've never heard of and have no frame of reference for. All schools look the same on the internet... so I don't know how to do it.</p>
<p>Also, I get discouraged from wanting to apply when I know there's a bunch of people in the student body with lower stats than me. Not that I think they're all stupid or anything, just that I think that if they will take me, then I shouldn't want them. It's kind of like playing hard to get, except with colleges.</p>
<p>Also I have looked at schools that specialize in Arts, like Pratt Institute, and I wonder if that's considered a safety school or not because you must submit a portfolio but the admissions standards are lower.</p>
<p>Some stats:
GPA: 3.63 UW, something much higher weighted
rank: 112 out of like 500
competitive school, high quality education, difficult courses, have taken all APs available and possible.</p>
<p>SATs
SAT I: M570 CR750 W800 (retaking in fall)
SAT IIs: WH:580 Chem: 570 Lit: 680
am planning on taking BioM and French and maybe Chem again or Lit again
ACT: 28 comp (also retaking)</p>
<p>Extra currics: I don't know if you want the full list which is very long and probably not necessary for consideration.</p>
<p>planning on majoring in something English/Social studies esque (career in writing)
and Music</p>
<p>I want a great school for academics that I know is solid in its rigor. Basically I want an idea of what is a great safety to apply to.</p>
<p>I can't really help you out with music schools, but in general, a safety is a school you'd be happy attending (even if it's not your first choice) and that is feasible for you given financial and academic factors. You are pretty much guaranteed to be admitted to a safety based on where you stand in comparison to their student body (top 75% or higher) and based on their selectivity rate (under 50 or 40% and you're looking at best at a match). State schools (excluding the more competitive UCs, UMich, and their peers) are usually good bets for solid students. Your scores, while respectable, don't put you in the spot to be guaranteed acceptance at semi-selective schools that could be safeties for others (like in my state, Chapel Hill's practically a given for the top X% of my class) so pick two or three safeties, some private and some public.</p>
<p>If you don't mind disclosing which state you're in, we may be able to give you a clearer idea of which schools you should look at.</p>
<p>I'm from Wisconsin. I'm 75% sure I'll probably get into Madison, but the other 25% scares me ****less. According to the little "Freshman expectations" thing they have I have a 90% chance... but I'm taking it with a few grains of salt. </p>
<p>I just want to separate the "safety" schools from the "too safe" schools, I guess.</p>
<p>If it's so safe that you couldn't see yourself stimulated there, than it's really not a safety. A safety is a school that you would actually attend if worst came to worst. Honestly, no school will guarantee you a spot in their class until your app is in, but if it bothers you that much, find another state school to add to your list. However, it sounds to me like Madison is as good a safety as any, especially if people from your school with comparable stats have been admitted before.</p>
<p>Lawrence. Excellent for music, excellent for academics all around. It's slightly more of a match for you than a true safety, but it might be worth checking out.</p>