<p>I'm still trying to come up with my college list. I'm looking for more matches, and definitely some safeties.</p>
<p>I've done a fair bit of research (online, college websites, Fiske, Barron's, etc.) but am still having problems finding safeties that I like. I've also visited a variety of schools.</p>
<p>I'm looking for second-tier schools that are similar to Princeton. I particularly want a mid-sized residential university that's not right in a major city (although suburbs and smaller cities/towns are perfectly fine). I like the fact that it is very community-based but not stifling. An intellectual versus very pre-professional student body is important.</p>
<p>My problem is that state universities are much larger than what I'm looking for, but some liberal arts colleges are very small, although I like the sense of community and residential aspect to them. Are there any larger versions of these liberal arts schools?</p>
<p>I would rather not go into all of my stats, but they are competitive for selective schools (especially standardized tests). I have what I would consider good ECs, with leadership and state recognition in math/science/Latin.</p>
<p>Assuming that Princeton is a reasonable and not impossible reach for you, Tufts and Rice are matches while Brandeis and Rochester closer to safeties.</p>
<p>Tulane, Wake Forest, and Ohio Wesleyan are worth looking at. So is Case Western, especially if you are interested in the sciences and technology. Univerisity of Richmond and Trinity (Hartford) are others.</p>
<p>You need to find one true safety. That is a school that has to admit you based on your stats, and that you can pay for without financial aid other than federally determined financial aid. In almost every case this will be an in-state public university or local community college. Almost all of these schools have rolling admissions so you will have an acceptance in hand in a week or two, and you will have somewhere to go next year even if the rest of your application process turns out badly.</p>
<p>Finding only one true safety means that you will have lots more energy left for all of your applications to the matches and reaches.</p>
<p>Georgetown, albeit also a reach, is not as competitive as Princeton and feature many of the qualities you're looking for. </p>
<p>UVa is a state school, but its campus is very beautiful and you could do the Echols Scholars program which would put you with other scholars and give you a more intimate experience in addition to the resources of a large state school. </p>
<p>Boston College might be a good safety - it's not IN boston so it has the suburban feel. </p>
<p>I agree that Tufts and Rice are good matches.</p>
<p>^I have a huge legacy at Georgetown, so I'm counting that as a match based on stats and acceptance rate from my school. I do believe they consider legacy status.</p>
<p>Anyway, would UVa be a match or a reach? And I've heard many good things about Boston College, so I'll look into that.</p>
<p>You would be considered for Jefferson Scholarship at UVA. Honors Program at Boston College. Tufts would be a good match as well as Rice. What do you want to study?</p>
<p>I have a legacy at Duke through extended family (would that make it a match or reach? I have good test scores, and I know they like that...). WashU is a great school but a bit too preprofessional for me.</p>
<p>Although Duke is considered reach for most everyone, given your test scores, and that you are legacy( not sure on extended family?) which they do count it is certainly not unrealistic for you. </p>
<p>I would research UVA, college of Arts and Sciences is 6000 and although state U it is very liberal arts, has great interdisciplinary options and great laid back vibe.</p>
<p>In addition to the true financial safety, I would also urge you to find another safety that isn't absolutely guaranteed but close, that you LOVE. The state flagship or local CC might be affordable and guaranteed, but if you hate them, it won't be a good safety. So look for a "likely" where you'll get merit money (stats above the 75th percentile).</p>