Issues...Way too many issues...

College Search & Selection
1

<p>Hi all,
I am a rising senior this year (Class of 2015), so as expected I am slowly filling out my list of schools to visit, look into, and - finally - to apply to. Unfortunately, my hopes and dreams of said process moving smoothly have all but gone down in flames. Not only have I been unable to find colleges within my interest, I am so lost in the search for an ideal major that I really can't begin to narrow down my options. Here is some information about me...</p>

<p>School Stuff:
Rank: 7 of 362
Expected Senior Course Load (apt to change...): A.P. English; A.P. Macroeconomics; A.P. Calculus B.C.; A.P. Biology; Study Hall : )
Jr. Year GPA (weighted, out of 100): 99.64; not quite sure what that is on a 4.0 scale, too lazy to figure it out...
SAT (taken once, will be taking again): 2080 - CR640 M690 W750
ACT (taken once, probably won't retake): 32 - E31 M30 R35 S31 W10
SAT II's: Physics - 730; U.S. History - 740
Previous A.P.'s: Physics B - 5; U.S. History - 5
Um that's about all I've got I think as far as "School Stuff" goes. Here's some Extracurriculars...</p>

<p>Extracurricular Activities (that I can think of right now):
Odyssey of the Mind Actor/Member (5th, 6th, 7th)
Ice Hockey - Modified, Junior Varsity (Alternate Captain), and Varsity Goaltender (started throughout)
Baseball - Junior Varsity, Right Fielder (10th), injured that year and haven't played since : (
National Honor Society member (11th, 12th)
Foreign Language Honor Society Treasurer (12th)
Mathematics Honor Society member (12th)
Science Honor Society member (12th)
Community Service Officer (11th, 12th)
A.P. World History After-School Class (10th); I miserably failed the WHAP test, so didn't show that score above...
Bear Mountain Ice Hockey Club Goaltender, 16U A Midget Minor (10th)
Skylands Kings Ice Hockey Club Goaltender, 16U A Midget Minor (11th)
Hudson Valley Americans Tournament Team Goaltender, 18U AAA Midget Major (11th)
Polar Bears Ice Hockey Club Goaltender, 18U AAA Midget Major (12th)
Again, this is all I've got for now, brainstorming is kinda non-existent bc it's summer</p>

<p>So that's me, sort of. I would like to call myself well-rounded but you tell me. So far in my college search - which has been unsuccessful as mentioned - I have visited a few different colleges but have only mustered 3 to apply for.<br>
Reaches:
Cornell University (would have to find a college to apply to, can't go undecided)
Dartmouth College</p>

<p>Target-ish:
Northeastern University</p>

<p>Yup, I know, I'm behind. I've spent countless hours searching, taking self-assessments, etc. Haven't found a major, or enough colleges. I think I'm afraid of commitment...
As far as the colleges that I've looked at, most are in the Northeast, suburban or rural (except for Northeastern U), and provide a multitude of majors to choose from as I am pretty undecided.<br>
Any help would be appreciated, I hope I haven't overwhelmed you!!</p>

<p>Thanks,
BPearlman97</p>

2

<p>Home state? What can your family afford?</p>

3

<p>Don’t beat yourself up about being undecided. I’ve heard many college admissions officers say that about half the students apply undecided. And about half of the people coming in with majors end up switching. Just find a school that offers a wide variety of classes and start exploring.</p>

<p>Tons and tons of school you could look at with your stats. Give us an idea what size of school you like, if you need merit aid etc. With no rhyme or reason some schools that spring to my mind are BC, Lehigh, Villanova, Tufts, Also check out the USNWR list of colleges, not for the rankings, but to look for schools that appeal to you. <a href=“http://colleges.usnews.rankingsandreviews.com/best-colleges/rankings/national-universities?int=9a3408”>http://colleges.usnews.rankingsandreviews.com/best-colleges/rankings/national-universities?int=9a3408&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

4

<p>For Cornell, you can apply undecided to their College of Arts and Sciences. </p>

5

<p>Like many have said, you don’t need to decide on a major yet, but you should start thinking about what you like/want to do. Also, have a look at schools like Brown and University of Rochester, where they give you a lot more choice over developing your own major/topic. If you are absolutely lost when it comes to choosing a college fit for your career-choice, one of those will help. </p>

<p>Look for schools that have “open curriculum.”</p>

<p>EDIT: Sorry, open curriculum doesn’t describe it properly. Look for colleges that allow you to design your own major. </p>

6

<p>Thanks for the advice and all!
Erin’s Dad - I’m in upstate New York, or what people out of NY call upstate, so about an hour Northwest of NYC. Financially, we are doing well enough to receive little financial aid from most colleges, however not quite well enough to afford top colleges. Seems like financial aid favors areas other than NY :/. </p>

<p>As unsure as I am about the majors, I do think I would enjoy either a medical, sciency, or engineering related one. That said, I would probably apply to Cornell early decision and to CALS, which provides a bunch of possibly majors as well as lowered tuition because of statutory funding (~16,000 less). </p>

<p>As far as the schools that I’ve been considering are concerned, I really don’t have a size preference, and definitely love schools with a campus, hence my liking of Cornell. I really like athletics (not varsity sports), so would be hoping for a college that offers a lot of club or intramural opportunities. </p>

<p>I will start looking into the mentioned schools…i work in NYC so I haven’t had a ton of time (yeah I know, it’s important!), but this week is my last so I’ll have much more time. Thanks again!!</p>

7

<p>That’s what we from NYC call upstate too. :slight_smile: For sciency schools in NY look at Stony Brook and Buffalo.</p>

8

<p>WashU only has one required class - College Writing. You can switch majors very easily, so I’ve been told. It’s worth looking at.</p>

9

<p>Haha I know it’s called upstate but the Lower Hudson Valley really doesn’t seem so far north to me!! I don’t really want to be out on the island, but I am considering looking at SUNY Buffalo, my older brother went there for a year of partying (ended up in the Culinary Inst. of America afterwards) so I already know it well. </p>

<p>I’ll add Wash U to my R&D list :)</p>

<p>Also, forgot to mention…
I would really like to stay in the Northeast, not because I’m afraid of being far from home, I just love the mountains, winter, etc. I guess I would consider some areas like D.C. or Michigan, but my preference is definitely towards regions in and north of New York</p>

10

<p>Are you planning to play college hockey? Depending on your skill level, you may wish to focus on division 1 vs. division 3 schools, and may want to consider the available hockey opportunities. </p>

11

<p>No, unfortunately I sort of gave up that goal awhile back. I want to really focus on academics in college, sports aren’t a future for me. If I were to play college hockey, I’m not sure how I’d stack up anyways. I would like to go to a school that has competitive ice hockey and offers club/intramural hockey; can’t quite give it up </p>

12

<p>some schools I don’t think have been mentioned that are good in science but may not have the flexibility of curriculum you desire: RIT, RPI, Brandeis, BU, Trinity, Vermont, Colby, Bucknell, Lafayette, Muhlenberg, UPitt</p>

13

<p>Thanks jkeil911, my R&D list grows :/.
I’ve crossed BU and RPI off my list, BU because it really sits in a 1mi span of Boston and has no campus feel, and RPI because of its location; Troy isn’t the greatest of areas…</p>