Is my college list realistic? Please help!

College Search & Selection
1

<p>I'm sorry for making such a common thread, but I could very much use some assistance.</p>

<p>Do I have too many reaches (I believe I do), and if so, can you suggest any matches?</p>

<p>I intend to major in English and/or Political Science with a pre-med course track. It's pretty clear from my list that I prefer liberal arts schools, but I’m open to other suggestions.</p>

<p>My college list:
Amherst College
Hamilton College
Haverford College
Lafayette College
Rutgers University (admitted to SAS - New Brunswick, SEBS, and Ernest Mario School of Pharmacy)
Skidmore College
Swarthmore College
Tufts University
Vassar College
Wesleyan University</p>

<p>Preferences:
Six hour drive (maximum); suburban/rural; liberal student body; not affiliated with a religion
I know I’m limiting myself by not applying to Midwest liberal arts schools or those further north (I was considering a few at one point), but I really would not feel comfortable that far from home.</p>

<p>Schools I visited and chose to remove from my list: Bard, Brown, Bucknell, Harvard (was never really considering this), Williams
Other schools I was considering, but will most likely not visit/apply to: Bates, Bowdoin, Colby, Colgate, Gettysburg, Middlebury, TCNJ, Trinity</p>

<p>Amherst College is my top choice. I applied to the DIVOH and was not accepted, but was offered a fee waiver.</p>

<p>State: New Jersey
School: Public (competitive)
GPA: 95/100 (unweighted; fairly rigorous course load)
APs: Chemistry (4); currently taking Biology/Calculus AB/US Government/English Literature
SAT (first time w/o prep): 2250 (Composite) - 680(CR)/790(M)/780(W)
SAT (second time w/ some prep in CR): I had a testing center issue, and my scores are still delayed.
Financial aid: will apply; parents estimate they can contribute 15k maximum
Extracurriculars (in order of personal importance): marching band (9-12; section leader), first aid squad (11-12; EMT-certified), NHS (11-12; Executive Board), HOSA-Future Health Professionals (9-12; first place in an individual competition at state level/top 10 at national level), hospital volunteer (9-12), percussion ensemble (10-12), open jazz band (10-12), summer camp counselor (11), senior class council (12), Relay for Life (9-12)
Honors: Spanish Honor Society, National Merit Commended
First generation college student</p>

2

<p>Since you have an admit, you are fine.</p>

3

<p>In that case, I guess posting this in “What Are My Chances?” would make more sense. Thank you for the response!</p>

4

<p>You have great chances, that’s all anyone knows. All reachy colleges are fine if you are okay with your safety. Some kids like to play chances with other kids in that forum, but it is the blind leading the blind.</p>

<p>If you want to know if any will be affordable, run the NPCs.</p>

5

<p>You should be fine. It probably isn’t necessary (check your Naviance) but you really want a LAC perhaps add one more that is a touch less competitive. Maybe a school like Muhlenberg, F&M, or Dickinson. </p>

6

<p>Thank you for your help, @BrownParent‌ and @happy1‌!</p>

<p>NPCs won’t give me an accurate estimate because my dad is self-employed through the business he owns (which is why I didn’t apply ED to Amherst).</p>

7

<p>just relax and wait for the results.</p>

8

<p>I’d be concerned about FA. You say running the npc didn’t help. Could your parents speak to the FA officers at these schools. I found FA officers just as willing to discuss costs and aid with me as AO officers willing to discuss housing and curricula. I’m a parent, I guess I should say. Unless your parents know they can afford the 45K, it is particularly important your parents do this at Rutgers because that’s the school you’re counting on. YOU can only borrow 5500 the first year and 27K over four years, so YOU are not paying for a 4yr college.</p>

9

<p>I have a small business… I added in the assets of the income to my own assets when running the NPC to try to get a more accurate picture. I agree Dickinson would be a nice low match for you. The finances probably would be similar to the other privates on your list.</p>

10

<p>Thanks for the advice on financial aid!</p>

11

<p>With that SAT score you will should get get a good scholarship from Rutgers. SEBS is a small/close-knit group and the Cook/Douglas campus is quite nice. SAS not so much, as freshman rarely get housing on College Ave, so you will need to get on the buses. If you are looking to med school, consider your cheapest alternative for undergrad. </p>

12

<p>Your profile seems very close to a classmate of D’s who wound up attending Hamilton with her, only you have even better test scores. She really wanted Colgate, but Hamilton was much more generous, so I’m thinking the same thing may apply to you.</p>

<p>Even though you haven’t visited, toss an application at Bowdoin. Very generous in the FA department, you should apply there any any other 100% need school that you haven’t eliminated for other reasons. If you get in and get a good offer, you can always visit in the spring. Why take something out of contention that may just be exactly what you’re looking for, you can always say no. And non-stops from Newark to Portland are pretty cheap.</p>

<p>Overall, I think you have a very realistic list and already have a safety. I’m sure you’ll get in something, and with a decent aid package. Good luck.</p>