I need some college recommendations and information

College Search & Selection
1

<p>My first choice college is Swarthmore, but realistically, I'm not sure I have much of a chance. I applied ED, so I'll know by Dec. 15 if I'm in or not. </p>

<p>So I want to get some more ideas for other choices. I have a list, but I don't know much about the colleges so I was hoping to get some information. Recommendations for similar colleges would be great, too. Some safety schools would be good to know. I'd like to stay in the Northeastern area.</p>

<ul>
<li>Skidmore</li>
<li>Princeton</li>
<li>Bard</li>
<li>Amherst</li>
<li>Colgate</li>
<li>SUNY Geneseo</li>
<li>Vassar</li>
<li>Haverford</li>
<li>Hartwick</li>
</ul>

<p>Specifically, I'd like to know about:
- the attitude/environment, study abroad options, financial aid, how the teachers are (are they accessible?), and anything else you might want to add. </p>

<p>About me:
* I'm a white female living in Central New York. I go to a public high school in a small town. It's not exactly a "good" school, not competitive at all.</p>

<ul>
<li>SAT: CR 750, M 680, W 720</li>
<li>ACT Composite: 32</li>
<li>GPA: UW 4.0, 98/100</li>
<li>Rank: 1/130</li>
<li>Curriculum: I've taken the hardest classes my school offers. We only have 4 APs and I'm taking all of them.</li>
</ul>

<p>ECs:
* I'm in a few clubs, very devoted to a couple. I play tennis.
* I've volunteered at a food kitchen for a couple years and I've been doing a lot with our Key Club this year.
* Like I said, my school doesn't have much of anything...which makes me feel like I have no chance getting in anywhere? </p>

<p>Other:
* Anyway, my recommendations are great, and I think my essays are good in that I'm not awful at writing. I wrote my Common App one about deciding to be a vegetarian and that being the first time I ever really thought for myself. Is that a bad topic? </p>

<ul>
<li>I don't know exactly what I want to major in yet. I thought physics, but I'd really just like to go to a college that is very good about helping me/allowing me to figure it out. One thing I know I would LOVE to do is get involved with a big cat preserve type thing. I figure I could go abroad and do that, maybe?</li>
</ul>

<p>Thank you to everyone who helps out. I'm trying pretty hard not to freak out right now, so any advice you have would be wonderful. I clearly don't know what I'm doing.</p>

2

<p>If you look at Skidmore, I’d also look at Union (30 minutes away) – it is very strong in the sciences. Maybe also look at schools like Bucknell, Lehigh, Holy Cross, Lafayette, Franklin and Marshall, Dickinson.</p>

3

<p>Thank you!
Anyone else? Anything you know will be very helpful.</p>

4

<p>For physics, you may want to add Stony Brook to your list. Among smaller schools, consider Carleton.</p>

<p>Because physics is not that popular a major, it is fairly common for smaller schools to have limited course offerings in it. Be sure to check the course catalogs of the schools to see if they have sufficient breadth and depth of offerings, which should include:</p>

<ul>
<li>Calculus-based freshmen-sophomore introductory physics for majors.</li>
<li>Junior-senior level undergraduate courses in quantum mechanics, mechanics, electricity/magnetism, thermodynamics, and additional topics like astrophysics, optics, relativity, atomic physics, particle physics, etc…</li>
<li>Freshman-sophomore math including calculus, multivariable calculus, linear algebra, differential equations.</li>
<li>Junior-senior math including real analysis, complex analysis, abstract algebra and group theory, and differential equations.</li>
</ul>

5

<p>Any reason why Bowdoin, Bates and Colby - the three Maine LACs - aren’t on this list? They seem like obvious options. Also Middlebury. Bates and Colby would both be matches. Bowdon and Middlebury are match/reach. All have study abroad options, and the usual features that go with LACs-undergrad focused, smaller classes, attentive faculty, etc…They tend to be a bit preppier than Swarthmore, but not any more so than Amherst. Bowdon has especially good environmental sciences, since that seems to be an interest of yours.</p>

<p>Your essay topic is fine. It’s all about how you used the topic to show who you are and what you have to offer.</p>

6

<p>Bowdoin, Colby, and Middlebury appear to be rather limited in physics course offerings.</p>