I really need help...

College Search & Selection
1

<p>In my college search I've hit a serious problem. My college list consists of Duke ( a serious reach) and 3 safety schools. My peers and teachers say that with stats like mine I could get into quite a decent school and I need to expand a lot. Could you look at my stats and help me expand my college list? My only real criteria is a private school, preferably on the east coast somewhere, not in the state of Pennsylvania. I’m looking to major in psychology.</p>

<p>Stats-African-American female
- Rural public Pennsylvania high school (just finished Junior year)
-GPA: 104.6 weighted, ~97 un-weighted
-Rank: 2/274
-SAT: 650 CR, 610 M, 610 W</p>

<p>Extracurriculars-
-8 years playing clarinet
-3 years Marching band (2 years clarinet section leader, 1 year treasurer)
-3 years jazz band ( lead alto saxophone)
-3 years pit orchestra
-6 years symphonic band
-4 years class cabinet (2 years Class president)
-3 years National Honor Society (1 year Vice president)
-2 years National Spanish Honor Society (1 year Public Relations officer, 1 year Vice President)
- 3 years Literary Magazine
- 3 years Varsity Track and Field
- 2 years Do Something Youth Advisory Council
- 2 years Bangor Do Something Club (President and founder)
-3 years Do Something Varsity</p>

<p>Hooks- First Generation college student, URM</p>

<p>My family is firmly in the middle class range so good financial aid is a perk.
Thanks!</p>

2

<p>Not on the east coast but not far from you and not in PA: Ohio Wesleyan, Denison, Earlham, Knox.</p>

3

<p>Just curious: Why not in the state of Pennsylvania? </p>

<p>Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I897 using CC App</p>

4

<p>I’d suggest retaking the SAT, but being a URM definitely helps. Are you interested in small schools? If not, you could check out Johns Hopkins, Georgetown, UNC - Chapel Hill, and Boston College.</p>

5

<p>University of Rochester (NY)
Vassar (NY)
Skidmore (NY)
Union College (NY)
Hobart & William Smith (NY)
Colgate University (NY)
Hamilton College (NY)
Syracuse University (NY)
Connecticut College (CT)
Wheaton College (MA)
Boston College (MA) Catholic
Holy Cross (MA) Catholic
Providence College (RI) Catholic </p>

<p>Best of luck!</p>

6

<p>Your rank and GPA look very good and a good set of ECs. First gen and URM certainly help as a double hook.</p>

<p>What kind of income are we talking about when you say middle class? Several schools do give free ride at 80k or below. </p>

<p>Taking SAT again or ACT will definitely help.</p>

7

<p>

Yes, that would be the Ivies and a couple of equally selective schools. Big reaches.</p>

8

<p>Take the ACT if you can fit it into your schedule this fall. I have a hunch you might do better on it. It’s a bit more like schoolwork, and you are clearly very good at schoolwork. :slight_smile: Be sure to do a practice run so you can work out the timing and so you catch that the science section is not science so much as it is reading and understanding figures and graphs. With a higher SAT/ACT score, you are even more competitive for merit/need combination scholarships.</p>

<p>I also think University of Rochester could be a good school for you.
Other ideas - In addition to the schools SLUMOM listed, I was thinking maybe Goucher or Johns Hopkins.</p>

9

<p>Some of the HBCUs including Howard and Spellman.</p>

<p>If women’s colleges don’t scare you, take a look at the whole list at [The</a> Women’s College Coalition](<a href=“http://www.womenscolleges.org/]The”>http://www.womenscolleges.org/)</p>