Is My List Too Ambitious

College Search & Selection
1

<p>So far, my list includes:</p>

<p>HYPS
Dartmouth, Brown, Tufts, Wesleyan, USC, Connecticut College, Washington University, University of Chicago, Northwestern University, Emory, University of Washington, Duke, UCLA, UC Berkeley, UC San Diego </p>

<p>(Gonna try to cut this list down a bit)</p>

<p>GPA: 9-12: 3.71/4.24
10-12: 3.73/4.35
Senior year grades haven't been factored in yet, so it should go up in a while
Courseload: Most rigorous or close to it. Three honors freshman year; three honors, 1 AP sophomore year; 4 APs junior year; 4 APs senior year.</p>

<p>SAT I: 2210 (690CR, 730M, 790W) the first time
2210 (750CR, 730M, 730W) the second time</p>

<p>SAT II: American History: 770
Literature: 720 (I'm gonna retake this and I think I'll do a lot better b/c literature is kinda my thing)
Math II C: Haven't taken it yet, but I expect this to be the most challenging SAT II for me because math isn't my strongest subject. I'm expecting low to mid 700.</p>

<p>APs: AP Euro: 5
APUSH: 5
AP Psych: 5
AP English Language: 5
AP Chem: 4</p>

<p>Extracurriculars</p>

<p>Tennis: all four years. Played some tournaments. Had major surgery on my feet my junior year, putting me on crutches for months, so I didn't play much that year. I'll be on varsity this year.</p>

<p>Music: My main instrument is the clarinet. I've had honors like All Southern California band in 9th grade, All State Cal Poly San Luis Obispo Wind Orchestra my junior and senior years, and Colburn Wind Ensemble (a music conservatory in Los Angeles) grades 10-12. I also give clarinet lessons as a part time job. And I have like 70-80 hours of service from either musical therapy or teaching piano at an elementary school. And I love playing the guitar, but I don't have any awards or anything for it.</p>

<p>Writing: I love writing, but alas, nothing much to prove it. I had something published in my school's literary arts magazine my junior year, and I write some stuff for this website online, but that's pretty much it. This year, I have an independent project for school where I'm writing a novel.</p>

<p>Tutoring: I tutor about 5 hours a week. Math and English and Science. So I guess that counts as a part time job.</p>

<p>Green Club: I'm president of this club. It's basically an environmental club, where we recycle all our school's trash and fund raise for certain causes. Last year I was secretary.</p>

<p>Art: I've been in art for 3 years. I love it. Big hobby of mine. No awards though. Just take the class at school and do it for fun.</p>

<p>I'm also a national merit semifinalist, and I think there's a good chance I'll be a finalist.</p>

<p>Stuff about me:</p>

<p>Asian American kid. I love writing, art, and music. And I'm also interested in Psychology, Philosophy, and Environmental Studies. Not really a math and science guy, but I'm totally open to giving them another chance in college. I like all the colleges on my list, and I would be ecstatic to go to any of them, especially Brown and Dartmouth. I am willing to work very hard in college, but not to the point where I'm just a tired zombie with absolutely no social life. I'm a social guy, but I'm not really into getting wasted every weekend and random hookups. I particularly like colleges that have some sort of natural wildlife habit nearby, like a lake or a forest, but I'm fine with being in or near a city too. And I like colleges that aren't too small. And I also want to go to a school strong in many departments so I have room to move around and explore different disciplines.</p>

<p>Are the colleges in my list too ambitious? Should I be afraid of not getting into any of them? If you think of something, please tell me if there any more suitable colleges that you think should replace a college on my list. Or if there's a college on the list that I would totally not fit in. </p>

<p>Thanks a lot, guys! Don't know what I'd do without you</p>

2

<p>I don’t think your list is ambitious; you seem to have the stats and credits for it, go for it! </p>

<p>The only school you may want to leave out is Duke. Here’s why… I’m exactly like you, an strange asian kid that’s more interested in the languages, arts and social stuff like international business (not the math and science stuff). A duke rep came to my school and said that Duke wants super extroverted, sporty, gung-ho, “life is so much fun!” kind of people, so from what you are saying, I personally don’t think you would be a fit if you don’t like to party too much. </p>

<p>Anyway, don’t take my word for it, research into it and visit them - see what you think. Otherwise, your list looks great! Good luck! P.S. You have to tell me how you prepared for that SAT Lit - I took it my first time without any preparation and got a miserable 550 :(</p>

3

<p>your SAT is actually better than what you’ve listed, since most of the schools on your list will super-score. 750+730+790 = 2270.</p>

<p>good luck!</p>

4

<p>I would leave Duke on the list as it seems a more reasonable reach than many of the others. With a CR plus math under 1500 and the UW GPA perhaps not top of class, the ivies might be elusive. Schools liked Duke, Tufts, Emory and NU seem like good bets as do the UCs.</p>

5

<p>No you are in a very good standing right now. Good luck!</p>

6

<p>How much can you afford and what is your home state? OOS for the UCs or UConn (you have to be OOS for one set) will be about $50K/year.</p>

7

<p>I think you have a good list as well! If you have the opportunity to do so, visit some of the schools. This should help to cut down your list, because you can get a somewhat ‘personal feel’ or at least a snapshoot view of the school’s environment. In some cases, you will know instantly that a particular school is not right for you.</p>

<p>Unfortunately, information from school reps (and others) can be very misleading; thus wrongly encouraging and discouraging prospective students. I am not trying to promote Duke, but my daughter is currently a student there. Contrary to what was said by the rep that visited AudreyH’s school, she is not “super extroverted, sporty, gung-ho, “life is so much fun!” kind of people”. Well, sometimes ‘gung-ho’ depending on the situation. Yes, she has a social life, but she does put academics first!</p>

8

<p>*HYPS
Dartmouth, Brown, Tufts, Wesleyan, USC, Connecticut College, Washington University, University of Chicago, Northwestern University, Emory, University of Washington, Duke, UCLA, UC Berkeley, UC San Diego</p>

<p>(Gonna try to cut this list down a bit)</p>

<p>GPA: 9-12: 3.71/4.24
10-12: 3.73/4.35</p>

<p>SAT I: 2210 (690CR, 730M, 790W) the first time
2210 (750CR, 730M, 730W) the second time*</p>

<p>Wow…long list…19 schools…</p>

<p>What state are you in? </p>

<p>If you’re instate for UWash and you can’t afford to pay full cost of UCs than take them off.</p>

<p>If you’re instate for UCs, then take off UWash if you can’t afford the cost. </p>

<p>None of those publics give aid to OOS students.</p>

<p>How much will your parents pay each year?</p>

<p>If money is an issue, what schools are your financial safety schools? (these would be schools that you know that you are CERTAIN to have all costs covered and you’ll get admitted. ) A safety isn’t a TRUE safety if you’re not certain how it will be affordable.</p>

<p>UCs give LOUSY aid to middle class families.</p>

<p>Right now, I’m not seeing ANY true safeties on your list.</p>

<p>BTW…I don’t think UC’s superscore…because it’s considered an advantage for those with more money.</p>

9

<p>Hi, thanks for the responses.</p>

<p>I am in California. Money is an issue, like it is for everyone else, and most likely, like my brother, I will be paying off loans for a while. But my parents acknowledge that unless I get a full ride somewhere or very close to a full ride, college will be expensive. I was offered a full scholarship at University of Alabama and lots of other schools sent letters saying that if I applied, I would have a good chance of receiving similar scholarships. But to be perfectly honest, I love the colleges on my list and I would prefer those schools, especially because while money is an issue, it is not as much of an issue as it is with some other families in the worst cases. I guess my financial “safeties” would be the UCs since I’m instate, and USC because if I get in, I can get a half scholarship or more because of National Merit.</p>

10

<p>Hi, me again. On a side note, if you guys have any suggestions on cutting down my list a bit, please let me know. Thanks for the comments about Duke and visiting. I’ll keep those in mind when I take another shot at shaving some off</p>

11

<p>You could apply early action and, if you’re lucky there, your list will be cut down for you because you can drop everything you like less!</p>

12

<p>*and most likely, like my brother, I will be paying off loans for a while. But my parents acknowledge that unless I get a full ride somewhere or very close to a full ride, college will be expensive. *</p>

<p>I don’t know when your brother went to college, but if he went a few years ago, the lending rules have changed. You may not be able to borrow like he did.</p>

<p>Now…for you to borrow without co-signers, you can only borrow the following amounts…</p>

<p>5500 frosh
6500 soph
7500 junior
7500 senior</p>

<p>So, keep that in mind. Your brother may have been able to borrow larger amounts thru Sallie Mae when the rules were more lenient.</p>

<p>How much can your parents contribute each year?</p>

<p>I guess my financial “safeties” would be the UCs since I’m instate,</p>

<p>If your parents will pay the $30k per year for you to go there, then fine. If your parents can’t pay that much, then UCs CANNOT be your safeties unless you’re low income.</p>

<p>What is your EFC? </p>

<p>Quick EFC - this is a rough estimate
<a href=“Your Guide for College Financial Aid - Finaid”>Your Guide for College Financial Aid - Finaid;

13

<p>Duke would be a good choice. Duke campus is amazing. Great SAT’S and class rank. Might look at Bowdoin and Holy Cross both with more prestige than Conn. College. Bowdoin is in a nice small town Brunswuck Maine. Holy Cross in a mid size city but with good ski areas-less than 30 minutes from campus. Holy Cross(don’t have to be religious) has strong English program and offers good financial aid. Dartmouth and Brown both Ivies but with very different cultures.</p>

14

<p>^ Do you think I can consider Conn. College a safety or a low match? Because I think Bowdoin would be a reach for me</p>

15

<p>I don’t think ANY of the schools on your list offer significant merit aid to the vast majority of students!<br>
Are you just picking name-brand schools to apply to? I don’t see ant other common thread to your list–not size, region of the country, type of curriculum, type of calendar, etc.<br>
Have you thought about what you really want in a college rather than making a list of all the usual suspects? Since aid matters (and debt sucks), I would do more thinking and research upfront, so you truly have worthwhile choices next spring. Otherwise, you’re in for a major sticker shock and possibly major disappointment.</p>

16

<p>If money is an issue, the Conn College may not be the best choice unless your family is low income.</p>

<p>If your parents have an unaffordable EFC, then CC won’t likely be affordable.</p>

<p>You say that money is an issue. Does that mean that you’re low income or that your family has a good income, but can’t pay their EFC?</p>

17

<p>Mom2college: Our financial situation is kind of complicated. In short, we have a high income, but my dad lives in another country, my brother is attending Duke without any scholarships, and my mom and I live here in California. We live in a very expensive city with a very good high school. And the mortgages have really sucked us dry. So even though we do have a high income, paying for college won’t be dandy</p>

<p>^^I didn’t really have a common thread to my list because I don’t really know what I want to study yet. All I know is I want to go to a university that is generally strong in all areas. As for region of the country, I’m fine with any region, other than Texas, where it can get sweltering hot and really uncomfortable. I generally want to get out of California, but I’m applying to a few UCs because regardless of the location, they are great schools. And as for size, I’m not too concerned unless it’s a school with less than 2000 kids. I’m fine with anything above 3000, but I’d prefer to go somewhere with fewer than 15,000. I know UCLA and UC Berkeley clear that very easily, but they’re great schools, and if I were to get in and go to those schools, I would easily be able to get over that. </p>

<p>I guess I’m just really open minded about the whole thing and I don’t really have any specific requirements for the school I go to. But yeah, I’ve been looking into merit aid, since I probably won’t get very much financial aid, and unfortunately, most of the schools I really, really like don’t give merit aid. But I know USC will give me a half scholarship if I become a national merit scholar, so that will definitely help. In the end, my family’s philosophy is that we work very hard and are very fortunate to live the life we do, and we know that college is very expensive, but my parents agree that they don’t want me to make my college choice purely on money. It’s gonna be hell paying off loans, especially if I go to grad school, but I really, really worked hard all four years of high school and the bags under my eyes vouch for it, and I want to go to the best college I can go to. And since my family is lucky enough to be able to even financially think about such prestigious schools, I want to go for the best</p>

18

<p>My DD’s perspective was the opposite of yours. She felt that colleges should pay her for working so hard in high school, not the other way around. She chose a school that gave her 50% cost of attendance for 4 years in merit scholarships. She will graduate with probably no debt and can get on with her life however she chooses. </p>

<p>To me prestigious schools are those that have great graduate programs, don’t care the same way for their undergrads but try to get as many as possible to apply so they can reject and waitlist more and more, reinforcing the idea that they are “exclusive”. </p>

<p>It’s funny when people write about how important diversity is to them, yet they all want to go to the same group of schools with people that have the same stats they have. What about academic diversity? Are all the people applying to these hard-to-get-into schools really that much brighter or are they just more disciplined? Will you take a job after college with a company that only hires grads from the USNWR top 20 schools? Why is it okay to associate with colleagues from all walks of life then but not in college? I don’t mean to rant; I just don’t understand this form of group-think.</p>

19

<p>^ That’s another school of thought. I don’t agree or disagree. It’s cool that your DD (what is a DD? Sorry, unfamiliar with CollegeConfidential acronyms) got a scholarship. That’s why I’m applying to USC, because it’s a great school and if I get national merit, I can get a half scholarship, like your DD. I’ve visited and talked to people, and it doesn’t seem like my type of school exactly, but it’s a great school regardless, and the scholarship is awesome, so I’m applying.</p>

<p>From your post, it sounds like you have a really unfair, maybe even bitter bias about prestigious schools. I don’t know what happened, but these schools aren’t evil organizations trying to trick people into paying them money or create some sort of snobfest. A lot of the prestigious schools out there, like Harvard, Princeton, Emory, etc…, are prestigious because they are excellent schools. My brother, who goes to Duke, one of those prestigious schools, is getting an amazing education. Last year, Duke gave him a grant to spend 8 weeks in Bangladesh as an intern of microfinance. He visited refugee camps and had a life changing experience. And this year, the school gave him the chance to fly over to New Orleans and help build houses. This summer, he will be going to China, for another internship. These top schools have tons of money for giving their students great opportunities, and they have amazing professors. That’s not to say that only the top schools have tons of money or amazing professors, but one would be hard pressed to find a community college with a staff as collectively experienced and at the top of their fields. Money isn’t exactly rolling out my behind, but I wouldn’t mind paying off loans for many years if it meant I had the chance to be one of the very fortunate people on the planet to get a topnotch education with equally topnotch peers and professors. </p>

<p>And I do not know if your rant was directed at me, but I never said anything about diversity. Diversity wasn’t on the forefront of my mind when choosing the colleges on my list, but to play devil’s advocate, I don’t think it’s fair to hold anything against people who want to go to schools with people with the same stats as they do. I think it’s totally fine if someone wants to go to an ethnically, religiously, or socioeconomically diverse college, but at the same time wants to go to a school where he or she will be surrounded by kids who have been working hard and excelling for the past four years because it is those kids who make a college as good as it is. Harvard wouldn’t be held in such high esteem if there were people who went to classes high on pot and couldn’t string a coherent sentence together.</p>

<p>Anyways, can we just assume that money did not matter, and just talk about the schools themselves?</p>

<p>Thanks for all your comments about merit aid and whatnot, though. It is definitely something my family will be discussing. But to be honest, my parents are not very involved in the whole college research process. English is not their first language, so much of what they learn about colleges is from the Korean newspaper. And I’m not trying to be racist here, but a lot of what they write in those papers is heavily skewed and generally not very helpful.</p>

20

<p>tikiman, take a look at other schools that offer generous National Merit scholarships. Start at the bottom of this list:</p>

<p><a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/national-merit-scholarships/649276-nmf-scholarships-updated-compilation-26.html[/url]”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/national-merit-scholarships/649276-nmf-scholarships-updated-compilation-26.html&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

<p>You’ll see many schools you’ve never heard of, and then some you have. Given your musical involvement and interests, I’d suggest finding out more about the University of Rochester. Closer to home, the honors colleges in Arizona can offer some wonderful opportunities.</p>