I have to pick 8 colleges in 5 days

College Search & Selection
1

<p>So, I applied through Questbridge and now the rankings are due in 5 days. This means that I have to rank the colleges I want my application to get sent to. </p>

<p>For those of you that dont know how the process works, I rank 8 colleges and I will be matched (hopefully) with my highest ranked college with a FULL-ride scholarship. Now, let me tell you I am not too confident I will get matched, but I still have to think about it. </p>

<p>Moreover, the colleges I apply to with the exception of couple are binding and whichever one I am matched with, I will have to go.</p>

<p>My rankings that I am thinking of:</p>

<ol>
<li>Stanford (non-binding)</li>
<li>Yale (non-binding)</li>
<li>MIT (non-binding)</li>
<li>Princeton (non-binding)
5.Columbia (binding)</li>
<li>Upenn (binding)</li>
<li>Brown (binding)</li>
<li>dont know (maybe Northwestern or Rice)</li>
</ol>

<p>I can have less than 8 colleges as well, but I want to use this opportunity to fullest. In all honesty, I have no real-feelings about the colleges except that they are all very respectable, academically. Thus, I am thinking that wherever I go, I will be able to fit in and find opportunities.</p>

<p>This is just a rough list. Can someone help me? My intended major is pre-med. I really need help.</p>

<p>The first 4 I am applying to for sure as they are non-binding, but someone please help with the last 4.</p>

2

<p>I think you should post this on the Questbridge forum. there is far more knowledge about this program there than here.</p>

3

<p>You may want to check the Questbridge website regarding the terms of the scholarship offers. Some of the offers are more generous than others. Many deduct allowances for work study and summer job income. Other require contributions of personal savings. MIT and Rice appear to be the most generous.</p>

4

<p>Those are all excellent schools. I don’t know too much about Questbridge (other than what is described on its site) but it sounds like a terrific program.</p>

<p>All the member schools are very selective, but some less so than others. I would think you’d want to put at least one or two schools on the list that have a higher admit rate than the Ivies and MIT. Rice? Oberlin? Unless there is plenty of time left to apply to other schools outside the program, in case all 8 decline.</p>

<p>Since many of them make binding offers, you at least ought to have a general sense of what you prefer in terms of features like size, urban/rural/suburban, climate, etc. There is tons of information on College Confidential.</p>

5

<p>i want a fairly big school that has many opportunities. Thus, I dont want to apply to small, LACs.</p>

6

<p>I think your choice of Northwestern or Rice is good. Best of luck with matching.</p>

7

<p>I’m not at all familiar with QuestBridge, but what you are essentially asking is: what school should be my ED choice? After all, the schools you listed as ‘non-binding’ because they don’t offer ED. My point is: you should decide just like you’re sending an application in as ED. The difference is this: if school A doesn’t accept you, then you have another ED shot at college B. Non questbridge kids only have the luxury of sending in one ED application. </p>

<p>With any list, however, kids should have a balance of Dream / just right / no problem. Even though you got this far, shouldn’t you also have some non-reach schools?</p>

8

<p>You would be lucky to go to any of those schools. I suggest that you rank them based on location.</p>

9

<p>First off, none of the colleges, besides LACs, are actual matches for me. Thus, I am taking my chance at all reaches.</p>

<p>Secondly, here is how I think of it. If i get a full-ride at any one of those colleges screw everything else. I know I will fit in, even though i have never vistied any of the schools. Therefore, I really dont care whether its the “right” school for me. To me, any place is right, I just have to fit in and pursure my dreams. Correct me if im wrong.</p>

10

<p>bump
…</p>

11

<p>I would at least read up on the locations a little bit and rank it that way.
Although it is true that they are all good academic schools, that doesn’t mean you will be superman/woman and automatically flourish there.</p>

<p>For instance, I once though I would survive okay at Columbia, and had intended to apply with means of going if accepted. However, luckily, I stayed on campus for a week before doing so, and realized I was absolutely miserable. Mind you, I am an easy going person like you seem to be. It doesn’t take much to impress me. However, despite the academic grandness of this school, I knew, at that moment, that I would not be able to prosper there. I was simply not comfortable, even if my academia matched the rest of the students.</p>

<p>Its not just me who thinks this way. At a recent information session at Boston College, the admissions counselor reflected similar view points. </p>

<p>His words were something along the lines of…</p>

<p>“The ranking of a school isn’t everything. What is important, is that you find a school that fits you. Just because a school has a high ranking, doesn’t mean you will be able to flourish there. Find a school you can prosper in.”</p>

<p>So. Yes, in my opinion, and agreeing with you more specifically.
Do take COMPLETE advantage of this situation. You may not be considering it now, but remember, your are going to be living in this place for four years. Four entire years. Urban? Rural? Number of students? Class size? Sports? Activities? Liberal? Conservative? </p>

<p>Don’t sell yourself short. Go to a place that fits you, not just your academic standards.
You have the chance to do this, which many people, especially in these current times have trouble doing, due to the fact that what they want isn’t necessarily what they can afford.</p>

<p>Good Luck. :)</p>

12

<p>the only ones im worried about is brown, northwestern, upenn, and columbia since they are binding.</p>

<p>krystal: great advice, thanks. Any more help will be appreciated.</p>

<p>I heard that brown is a fairly laid-back school and i think i would thrive there. Northwestern I have heard to be just like University of Michigan but again all I know is that it is in Chicago, 4 hours away from my home, and it is good academically. </p>

<p>Upenn: dont know much about but know that it is ivy league and better than my state school, University of Michigan. However, if im getting a chance for full ride there, should i not apply just because i dont know enough about the place.</p>

<p>Columbia: its in NY. seems like a pretty great, upbeat atmosphere. Im a flexible person so I think ill fit in. Plus, I like an upbeat atmosphere better. In NY, which means there will be many opportunities to volunteer, research, pursue other interests, join sports leagues, etc. Location seems ideal and the academically, I think I will grow a lot. Howeveer, this is just assumed version of mine.</p>

<p>Please, i need advice.</p>

13

<p>You are silly if you are from Michigan and you don’t apply to U-M instate.</p>

14

<p>i already applied to U-M. Now I am applying to all these colleges.</p>

15

<p>I’m glad that you are considering everyone’s advice.</p>

<p>My suggestion would be to learn as much about the school as you can. Can you visit any of them? If not, there’s plenty of other things you can do…</p>

<ol>
<li><p>Search around the college website. What do the write under student life? Are there any student blogs there? What about any virtual tours or pictures?</p></li>
<li><p>Read online reviews. <a href="http://www..com%5B/url%5D">www..com</a> is a good one. Others can be found by typing “____ review” into google.</p></li>
<li><p>Take collegeboard’s college match quiz. See if any of your choices match what you have previously considered.</p></li>
<li><p>Consider calling the admission’s office with any questions you may have.</p></li>
</ol>

<p>Point blank. Research every school first. Don’t just go on the name. Furthermore, if you discover you don’t like a school after you conduct the research, don’t bother applying to it. Again, name isn’t everything; you need a place you can flourish in.</p>

16

<p>************** dot com. was the website. seems it didn’t post.</p>

17

<p>where are your safeties? Are you crazy?</p>

18

<p>Michigan State and my ultra safety is my state school…and why do call me crazy?</p>

<p>This is through Questbridge which is early decision (or very similar to it, I will know by Dec1st if I get in to any of the schools). If I dont get in, I always have my state schools and regular decision!!!</p>

19

<p>If you don’t know much about Penn, you could always research it ;)</p>

20

<p>^research in what way tho? im having trouble evaluating college. They all are amazing, provide good opportunities, have big alumni networks, have neg. and positive student reviews (i dont know which ones to believe).</p>