<p>So, I'm a senior applying this fall.
My stats are pretty normal for Ivy League applicants (2200 Sat, 800s on two SAT IIs, 4.5 Weighted GPA, A few 5s on AP tests, average ecs and essays, etc.) I'm retaking the SAT in October. I figure I have a good chance of being accepted at one of the top schools I'm applying to, but of course one can never be certain. As of right now, here's my list:</p>
<p>Yale (SCEA)
University of Oregon (Safety, auto accepted)
Cornell
Princeton
Wesleyan
Brown
Haverford
Stanford
Harvard</p>
<p>If I'm accepted to Yale, I won't bother applying anywhere else.
Basically, I have one safety and eight reaches. Based on these forums, I've gathered that people usually apply to a few more match schools, but I'm not sure it's necessary in my case. Obviously, I'm hoping to be accepted in one of the eight reaches, but, worst case scenario, I wouldn't really have a problem with the U of O.
Thoughts?</p>
<p>I wouldn’t necessarily say all are reaches. But, just include one more safety (unless you are perfectly comfortable attending Oregon), and two matches.</p>
<p>I would apply to two more schools that lie somewhere in the rankings higher than Oregon, but lower than the top schools you are applying to.</p>
<p>For example, I might apply to some midwestern schools, like Michigan or Washington University, instead of just applying to the east coast and the west coast.</p>
<p>clan, I’d worry more about those “average ecs and essays” than retaking the SAT. These very selective schools put a lot of weight on who you are and what you do when you’re not in class. </p>
<p>Not much you can do about your extracurriculars at this point. If you’re just being modest and you really do have solid non-academic accomplishments – not just clubs and such but also arts, sports – then make sure they are well represented in your application.</p>
<p>It’s not too late to spruce up your essays. For these selective schools your essays must be stellar. </p>
<p>If you have any other points of differentiation – diversity factors, talents, life experiences – get them to the foreground.</p>
<p>Nothing wrong with the U of O, but if Yale is your #1 there are many other good choices in the middle. I think UMich and WUSTL are good ideas and I would add some other midwestern LACs, like Kenyon, Grinnell, Macalester, Carleton.</p>
<p>When I say I have average ecs and essays, I mean that IMO they are average for competative Ivy League applicants. I have approximately 700 hours of community service, I’m currently ranked second in my state for chess (yes, chess, lol), and I two national speech and debate awards. I’m happy with my essays, though I’m not done with all of them. My ecs and essays don’t guarantee me admission, but I think they make me competive.</p>
<p>My biggest incentive for choosing those schools is that I’m dirt poor (4 person family with $25k a year.) All of the reaches have generous financial aid, and the U of O is better than most OOS schools for me, b/c most of its aid is available for in state applicants. </p>
<p>I would feel better if I had a school or two in the middle, so I’ll check out the colleges mentioned here so far.
Kareem</p>
<p>Glad to hear that you’re comfortable with your essays and ECs. In my opinion they count for a lot more than scores.</p>
<p>Ironically, “dirt poor” is better than middle class. You should qualify for substantial need based aid at most (all?) of the schools on your list. At some others, not on your list, you would most likely garner some merit aid.</p>
<p>Forgive me for making an assumption, but if you are able to claim ethnic or religious diversity (as well as economic diversity) you’ll want to make that clear in your application, through essays and recommendations. In that context you might want to explore some LACs that are located in remote or midwestern locations and that actively recruit high achieving URMs. In addition to the midwestern LACs already mentioned I would look at Williams, Amherst, Bowdoin, Macalester. </p>
<p>And, lastly, have you considered QuestBridge?</p>
<p>Yes, I applied for the QB college prep scholarship and went to their conference at Stanford in May. While the conference itself was informative, I’ve decided against using their Match program. One of the things I asked all the admissions officers that were there was whether they recommended applying via Questbridge or not. The resounding reply I got was that it doesn’t really make a difference how you apply. In fact, the Princeton admissions officer told me that “Because we are only able to dedicate between ten and twenty minutes to each application, we usually only have time to read the Common Application for QuestBridge applicants and skim over their QB essays.” And she also said that if I was into applying early, I would have better chances through the SCEA program than the Match.
If one gets matched, one obviously gets a full ride, but the percentage of applicants that actually get matched in the first round is so small that most students with near perfect applications still don’t stand a chance. If you don’t get matched, you’re in the RD round like everyone else, and as such, you’re not gauranteed any particular financial aid.
If you are low income enough that you get a full ride, or near full ride, through QB, then chances are, you’ll get a similar package if you apply
normally.
Students can apply for free through QB, which can be a big plus, just about anyone eligible for QB is eligible to have their application fees waived anyway…
(Sorry for the rant)</p>
<p>I’ll do more research on other colleges, of course. One that just caught my eye was Vanderbilt, firstly because they have great financial aid, and secondly (I know this is a bit rediculous) because I wouldn’t have to write another supplemental essay for them. Still, Vanderbilt seems to have a strong program in my prospective major (math), and the campus looks nice. I haven’t visited though; I have visited all the colleges listed in my first post.</p>
<p>Interesting viewpoint on QuestBridge. I guess it’s more useful for applicants who haven’t done as much homework as you have. For math + generous needbased aid, I’d definitely look at Williams.</p>
<p>If you want to major in Math and financial aid is your main concern, you should also apply to MIT, which will give you a full ride if your family income is below US$ 50,000.</p>
You should qualify for substantial need based aid at most (all?) of the schools on your list. At some others, not on your list, you would most likely garner some merit aid.</p>