Hello, I was just wondering if this was a good list of schools I should visit and apply to, or if I need more safeties/reaches/etc.
My ACT score is 35 and I got 1580 on the New SAT. I am from Ohio.
My list is:
Case Western Reserve University
Ohio State
Carnegie Mellon
Northwestern
Duke
UC Berkeley
University of Pennsylvania
Georgetown (I would need another Subject Test)
One of H/Y/P (or all of them?)
How much can your family afford to pay? What are you planning on majoring in?
@Snowybuny My family has said money isn’t an issue for them. I’m majoring in some STEM field, but I’m not sure what yet.
My first instinct is to say Bravo for being one of the few kids to have a sensible list right off the bat, but you could do with a another match or safety. My second instinct is to ask about your grades. You didn’t mention them, and for all of your schools, they will be really important. And do you have any meaningful ECs that you enjoy and have reasonable participation in?
@Lindagaf Thank you! I have a 4.0 UW GPA and ~4.5 weighted GPA. I don’t have particularly amazing ECs compared to some of the people I read about on here, but I am an executive of my school’s student council, as well as yearbook and newspaper editor. I also have ~300 hours organizing and helping run dog shows for a local dog club.
I would clarify the amount they are able to spend with them. There have been posters in the past who have said money isn’t an issue, but once acceptance letters come out the parents change their minds or realize that they can’t actually afford it. Better to find that out now then in April next year.
Besides that your list is very reach heavy, your only safeties are OSU and CWRU. And for CWRU interest is considered as “important” - if they suspect you’re using them as a safety they may wait list or reject you.
Also what is your GPA? Do you have any significant ECs?
ETA: Just noticed I cross posted with Lindagaf!
@Snowybuny My brother has already went through University of Chicago, which is approximately $60k per year. My parents have encouraged me to apply to the best schools, and they are definitely aware of the price.
I have visited Case already and my father went to school there, so hopefully they wouldn’t reject me! I will look for an additional safety though, thank you!
And I listed my GPA and ECs in my response to Lindagaf
Your test scores are stellar, as are your grades, so you are one of the few people that I will say you don’t need a LOT of match and safety schools. You do definitely need more though, and I agree with snowy bunny. I would say two to be safe. How about U of Rochester? Wonderful school, but make sure you show interest!!! And for all your reaches, do your research, make sure they know why you will be a good fit for their school. How is your course rigor? I would say you should have at least 6 of the most rigorous courses at your school.
The dog thing is interesting. Capitalize on that. If I am asking about it, and I don’t know your from Adam, then I,think colleges might be interested in that. Good luck!
Glad to hear that cost isn’t an issue!
Your GPA and scores are awesome and I agree with Lindagaf, the dog show EC is fairly unique and interesting.
My concern is that besides the safeties I see a lot of different schools and the only common denominator is prestige. Do you have reasons why you’d like to attend these schools besides their ‘brand’? Remember that you’ll have to write essays for all of these schools communicating specific reasons why you want to attend. You probably don’t want to attend a school that isn’t a good fit for your personality or interests so make sure to do a lot of research into each school’s personality and strengths/weaknesses. Every school on your list should be a school you’d be happy and excited to attend.
@Lindagaf Thanks for the suggestion! I will look into it.
And I’ve taken the hardest classes available at my school, which includes honors classes freshman and sophomore year. Junior year, I took the two available AP classes and more honors, and I’m signed up for 5 AP classes next year.
And I’m glad you think the dog shows are interesting! I will definitely incorporate them into my application.
@Snowybuny Thanks! I’m not really sure what I would want in a college yet, but hopefully it will become more clear once I make more visits. I will also try to put more research into specific schools.