<p>I don't know if this is the right place to post this...but..</p>
<p>I'm currently a junior in high school, in an extremely, excruciatingly competitive all girls school in the mid-atlantic region. Of course, we started the college process late last school year and has continued on through this year. I've named some colleges I'm interested in (Boston University, Fordham University, Boston College, Cornell (I can dream), etc.) and immediately I've been shot down by my counselors saying all these places are "high reaches". I'm not the "highest ranking" student, but I'm not the "lowest" either. As of now, I have a solid 3.5 gpa (unweighted) and am expecting an around 1900-2000+ SAT score. My school only has a certain amount of APs, so I will have only taken two in my high school career. Science is not my forte, and that's why my GPA is a 3.5, but I have taken the most challenging science courses at my school. Other achievements include being editor-in-chief of the school newspaper, being granted a service fellowship to travel abroad over the summer, being a member of the nationally ranked equestrian team, and being a member of the service club in my school.</p>
<p>I understand that the college counselors don't want us to get our hopes up and make sure we actually get into a school. But constant discouragement doesn't help. I know some of my other friends feel this way..did you experience this? What are your thoughts on the schools I mentioned? I am well-aware that some schools are definitely "reaches". Do you have any other school you would recommend that are similar?</p>
<p>Yeah, you definitely are right… Every counselor, teacher, principal or any adult at school should be nothing but encouraging to students, and the fact that your counselor is doing the opposite is wrong… If she thought/thinks it’s’too much of a high reach’, the worst thing she should’ve told you were/are reminders that those schools are highly competitve…</p>
<p>But to discourage you? No way.</p>
<p>Btw, based on your gpa, Fordham and Boston University are definitely not high reaches!</p>
<p>And for BC and Cornell; heck, why not apply? What have you got to lose!</p>
<p>I think you need to expand your thinking beyond the big name schools - Fairfield University, Marist College, Sacred Heart University, there are a lot of schools which may be very good options.</p>
<p>You might want to ask your counselor why he/she is viewing everything in such a negative way. Perhaps there have been more rejections for students from your school in the last couple of years, maybe too many students ate overly optimistic, and your counselor is just trying to help all if you stay realistic.</p>
<p>Apply to a couple reach schools, BUT be sure to apply to at least 3 schools that you know you’ll get accepted to, that you like, and you know FOR SURE that you’ll have all costs covered.</p>
<p>Have you talked to your parents about how much they’ll pay? If they will pay $55k+ per year for any school, then fine. If not, then you’ll have to carefully select your schools.</p>
<p>If your parents will pay for wherever you go…add St Louis University, Seton Hall, UDayton, Loyola Maryland, Loyola Marymount, and a few others. </p>
<p>Where you should apply will be influenced by how much your parents will pay.</p>
<p>Your counselor should definitely not be discouraging your from applying anywhere but should make sure you apply to a few safety schools. With your GPA and provided that your SAT falls somewhere inbetween your predicted range BU and Fordham would not be high reaches for you actually closer to a high match. Yes BC would be a little reach but still doable and well Cornell is a big reach for anyone but definitely apply no harm done.</p>
<p>I know it feels like your guidance counselors are trying to dash your dreams . . . but I suspect the truth is somewhere in the middle - they’re trying to help, but lack of time and lack of patience seems to be interfering with the message.</p>
<p>I’d make a suggestion: accept what they say about the “high reaches” without argument (you can apply to any or all of those schools anyway - whether or not they agree!), and focus instead on getting them to help you find “match” schools. If they think you’re on the same page with them, they may be more willing to listen to you and work with you to find good matches. And they may end up having some good ideas!</p>
<p>Meanwhile, do tons of research on your own. Read the book “Cool Colleges” by Donald Asher - it’s an easy read and will give you lots of great ideas. Look for schools with equestrian programs - there are plenty out there, in both large and small schools! (Have you ever heard of Transylvania University, in Lexington, KY? They’re starting an equestrian program this year. It may not be your cup of tea . . . just saying, there are a LOT of options out there!)</p>
<p>Between what the counselors suggest and what you come up with on your own, you’re likely to end up with a very good list of matches & safeties - and you already have the reaches, so you’ll be set!</p>
<p>I agree that the OP should be a match for BU and Fordham. Assuming the best of the counselor’s motives maybe the OP’s school has lots of applicants (or would be applicants) for those schools that will skew the competition. In any case, I agree that she should start looking on her own as well as sounding out the counselor as to what would be considered match schools.</p>
<p>“I’ve been shot down by my counselors saying all these places are “high reaches””</p>
<p>Did she do something else to shoot you down besides saying that they are high reaches? Because simply stating that is not shooting you down, even if that is how you feel. Shooting you down is telling you that you have no shot, that you should not apply, etc.</p>
<p>Was she trying to get you to discuss less selective schools as well? Were you open to that discussion?</p>
<p>Mine said I might not get into Penn State and I should rethink my safety to Temple. Most counselors are terrible. Obviously if they knew how to plan out futures properly, they wouldn’t be counselors would they?</p>
<p>Ah, ArKhAiK, many of us love this work, though it is impossible to love every student every day.</p>
<p>Do you have some sort of evidence that you were guaranteed a spot at Penn State? If not, what she told you was true. (She may also be incompetent. She just wasn’t incompetent as a result of telling you that.)</p>
<p>I think it depends on if your school is very rigorous and how you are ranked. 3.5 maybe high for one school and mediocre for another. I would have to think a counselor at a private girl school would be very knowledgeable, I wouldn’t necessary discount what he/she is saying. If your school has Naviance, I would check it out.</p>