I’ve got a 34 on the ACT and 3.8uw/4.2w GPA
Yale
Columbia
Cornell
Tufts
Boston College
Vassar
Swarthmore
Binghamton
Villanova
Colgate
Rensselaer
I’m thinking I might be top heavy, any ideas for safeties? I’m in state for Bing btw
I think it the list is a bit top heavy and would add one or two true safety schools (perhaps one or two less competitive SUNY schools).
It seems like people here often slam the SUNYs for having unattractive campuses, no spirit, bad athletics, & little geographical diversity , so why do people like the op choose them as safeties when there are famous, interesting, beautiful public universities (albeit not in the Northeast) that would give them big merit aid? Kentucky, Alabama, Kansas, etc.
@moooop I for one do not slam the SUNY schools – in fact I often recommend them. Because of the way the system is set up SUNY schools are often smaller than many large state flagships. Since the OP has Northeastern mid-sized universities and LACs on his/her list I think that a school like SUNY New Paltz could be a good academic and financial safety. (If finances are an issue I"d also recommend the OP look at SUNY Geneseo.). If the OP wants a LAC that is more of a safety perhaps a school along the lines of Muhlenberg would work.
I agree that this list is reach heavy and that the OP should consider adding SUNY New Paltz and Geneseo. The U of Rochester would be a good match and I agree Muhlenberg would work as a safety. Check the NPCs on these two schools if finances are an issue. TCNJ is another one of those “hidden gems” that would work as a good safety.
I also do not slam the SUNY schools- as a matter of fact one of my kids attended one. I do believe that the OP will get into Binghamton and if he/she visited and liked it, that’s another match- I would not call it a true safety although I do think he/she will get in.
The list may be a little top-heavy but it really depends on several factors:
- the OP’s other qualifications besides GPA and scores
- the family’s budget (and whether they are able and willing to cover the EFC for the listed schools)
- the OP’s willingness to take risks
If all the OP’s qualifications are stellar, cost is not an issue, and s/he’s willing to risk being shut out of all reach and match schools, then a single sure-fire admission and financial safety may be enough. If Binghamton fills that role, then Villanova, BC and Colgate may be enough target/match schools as long as the EFCs aren’t out-of-reach.
No, the list is not balanced at all. Perhaps, Colgate, BC and Villanova are matches, but if you look through other threads, you will see plenty of kids getting wl with those stats.
What is your class rank and course rigor? That will be an important factor.
Too top heavy…
Have your parents run the NPCs on each?
How much will your parents pay each year? Ask them, please don’t guess. We see later posts from a lot of disappointed students who thought their parents would pay more or their parents assumed you’d get more grants/scholarships.
Do you have a non-custodial parent? If so, will he/she pay for college?
Do you have any step-parents? If so, will he/she help pay for college since his/her income will count for the CSS Profile schools.
The problem with having one safety (SUNY) is that you’d be disappointed if that ended up being your only choice due to rejections or affordability. And, at this point, we don’t even know if Bing is affordable!!
Imagine that after all the hype and excitement of apply to your match/reaches, chatting with other applicants online, and then finding out that none will work…I think you’d feel dejected being left with only the SUNY as an option (if it’s affordable, if not, then a CC would be where you’d be heading. 
)
It’s always best to have at least 3 affordable financial safeties. That way if your reach/matches don’t work out, you’ll still have a choice, which is MUCH better for morale! WE like to have a choice!
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Long Island.
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My friends from LI tend to fall into three groups:
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make a good income, but with the crazy taxes, and cost of living, they can’t afford to pay their EFCs or really can’t pay much at all for college…they’re lucky if they can scrape $1k per month ($12k per year) to put towards college because they really don’t have much left over each month and are also trying to fund retirement.
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have high incomes, so they can afford many, if not all, schools…but aren’t willing to spend $70k per year (maybe because they have multiple kids, maybe they have health issues, maybe they need to retire sooner than they thought). They’ll maybe spend $25k-40k per year, which means pricey privates where they’d be full-pay will not be affordable. In other words, they’ve slotted about $100k-$160k per child for college…which is still a LOT…especially if multiple kids
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have very strong incomes or were super thrifty and have college funds or inherited money or have grands paying or are taking on big risks by taking on big loans…these folks are letting their kids go wherever they want.
you need to find out what your parents are willing to pay…and you need to know that NOW…not next spring. And, unless your parents are very affluent or have a well funded college fund for you, be sure that they’re not “punting the issue” for later by saying that you don’t have to worry about money. Just a couple of months ago, we saw posts from kids whose parents said, “don’t worry about cost.” Only to later find out the parents wrongly thought that the child could borrow all the costs. Kids can’t borrow much. Parents would have to borrow or cosign and most won’t do that.
Your app list needs to take into account the financial situation. Too many parents say, “oh, just apply broadly and we’ll look things over next April.” Big mistake. We see too many posts from kids and parents in the spring when all of their accepted schools expect them to pay a LOT more than they can.
And what is your major and career goal?
@moooop Some people simply don’t want to live in those areas.
OP it would be helpful to know what major/majors you’re looking at.