<p>(From Arkansas)
Unweighted GPA: 3.20
Weighted GPA: 3.30
Top 20% of class (over 600 kids; public high school)
SAT Combine: 2020 (1350 Math-Reading)
EC's: Play high school baseball; member of three clubs (held no positions though); spend a lot of time helping take care of my special needs little brother
Essay: Assume a top 10% essay (I'm going to put a lot of time into it)
Recs: Assume average teacher recs and a good counselor rec</p>
<p>List of Colleges I'm currently considering: </p>
<p>Arkansas University -- Definitely applying
Boston College
Boston University
Davidson College
Grinnell College
Hendrix College -- Definitely applying
Rhodes College
Saint Louis University
Texas University (Austin)
Tufts University
Tulane University -- Definitely applying
Vanderbilt University
Wake Forest University
Wesleyan University</p>
<p>Due to the excessive amount of money it would take to apply to all of these schools (over $600), I think I need to cut my list short to 8 or 9 schools. </p>
<p>So, which colleges would you advise I not apply to? Which colleges, given that my parents don't have limitless money, do you guys think would not be worth applying to?</p>
<p>If you want either BC or BU to remain on the list, really look into them both. They are very close to each other but campus wise they are VERY different. BU is very urban and spread and actually in Boston, while BC is more of a traditional campus very close to the city (in Chestnut Hill). They of course have other differences too, but that could help you decide. Figure out which you like better, and maybe that would at least cut one off your list?</p>
<p>Check if any of the schools have free apps. Also get on the move and apply to any colleges that have EA or rolling admissions immediately. Hold the other apps (get them done but don’t mail them or send out the test scores which costs money) until you get your early responses. You can then cut out those schools that you don’t like as much as the early schools that accept you and send the rest of the apps out. This also gives you some time to earn some money to put in the pot for apps if you so choose. The season is rapidly coming when they will want a few extra part timers for Christmas season.</p>
<p>Certainly, it would help to pare them down. You can do some of them as common apps all at one time which simplifies some matters, and then work through other ones that require more intensive work. Some may be shorter, easier apps than others. Just get the early ones out and see what comes back. I believe Tulane is early. They usually get back to you early complete with some merit money, even. That would narrow your remaining schools down to much less if you are accepted there. If not, and if you are not accepted early at Arkansas U, you may need to be looking at more safeties and give your list reconsideration. But if accepted, the only thngs left on your list would be schools you would consider over the ones that accepted you. My son did this, and it really cut down on his list.</p>