<p>I just got my scores and almost ran up and down my dorm hall leaping for joy, and now wish to fix up my list as I think I have a shot at some more schools now.</p>
<p>Stats: White Male from Virginia, Private School
3.65UW, 3.85W Fresh->Junior
3.83UW, 3.98W Soph->Junior
SAT M/CR/W 780/720/610 Superscored (Math went up by 100, CR by 50, and Writing wasn't quite as good...)
ACT: 31 (35 Math, 25 English, 32 Reading, 31 Science)
Lots of Debate and Band awards, along with some nice ECs: flight training and 200+ hours of volunteer work at local hospital, and ARJROTC rank (don't plan on pursuing in college)
Future Chemistry or Economics Major</p>
<p>Current List
U Virginia
William and Mary
RPI (Medalist)
U Michigan Ann Arbor
U Wisconsin Madison
Emory
Reed
Grinnell
Hamilton
U Chicago (EA)
Oberlin
URochester
Skidmore</p>
<p>The last two schools were more like safeties than the rest. I have a good mix of big Us and LACs as I like both styles. What schools do you think that I could now add on to my list? I was thinking maybe Duke or Rice. Thanks for the comments</p>
<p>If you're going to add a couple more, also take a few off. Namely, some of the matches. It looks like you have about 7, but you really don't need so many. Especially when a number of them don't take the common app. </p>
<p>I would give you recommendations for some reaches, but it's hard to see what you like, as your list is so random. I mean, I see intimate LACs, party schools, tech schools, artsy intellectual schools, urban schools, rural schools...</p>
<p>Well, I would just go with UVA, but there is still a chance that I won't get in, and I wish to have my options open. The reason that my list is so diverse is that I tend to have diverse interests and am able to adapt to a variety of environments. I like the LACs for their intimate environments, the big schools for their specialized programs, but would also like to go to a school somewhere in between the two. I would describe myself as a quirky intellectual, which fits within the purviews or most of the LACs, and I know that there are plenty of people like me at the big Us. Any other schools that tend to fit the quirky intellectual would make me very grateful.
I'm thinking of putting it down to:
U Virginia -Instate
William and Mary -Instate
RPI (Medalist)
U Michigan Ann Arbor -Specialized Programs
U Wisconsin Madison -Specialized Programs
Emory -I just like the school
Reed -Quirky LAC
Grinnell -Quirky LAC
Hamilton -I just like the school
U Chicago (EA) --I just love the school
Oberlin -Quirky LAC</p>
<p>I would drop RPI, but my school and parents wish me to apply as I already won the medal and the application is free. Any ideas for a medium sized school, or another one that fits me please?</p>
<p>You have a decent shot at Carleton, which is about as quirky as LACs come. They really look for passion for learning in your essays, recommendations, and ECs. Plus the chemistry and economics departments are very strong.</p>
<p>Coming from a private school, with those scores, as well as instate, I think you'd have a pretty good shot at UVa. The real question is, where have kids with your GPA gone to school in the past? If lots of kids with a 3.8ish go to UVa, thats a good sign you'll get in--especially with your scores.</p>
<p>Does Vanderbilt have good programs in chemistry and economics? Since if so, I will add it on to my list. Carleton also will go on, as I really only had it off my list due to my SATs before.
The problem with UVA is that it tends to be rather random when it comes to people from my school. A good friend of mine got in with worse SATs but a better GPA, while another person I know got rejected with better SATs and equal grades. Then again, someone got in with worse stats than me all around. Plus the fact arises that I kind of dislike UVA, having visited and had camps et all there before. When it comes down to money, I have a nice amount of money saved up to pay, and my parents are willing to pay for some of my education, but I don't wish to make anyone pay huge amounts. Thus, I am applying to UVA and W&M.
So, Carleton and Vanderbilt look interesting? Can anyone make a case for them, or suggest something else? Many thanks around.</p>
<p>If so, you could just apply early and see what happens from there, possibly avoiding having to fill out 13 applications. (13 isn't a horrible number, necessarily, but since so many of them don't use the common app, it could get quite time consuming.)</p>
<p>Might want to look at some LAC's like Davidson, Holy Cross(near Boston) or Bowdoin. HC and Davidson have decent Div1 sports programs and good school spirit on a smaller scale of Duke.</p>
<p>LF, I don't see much coherence in your list. If Chicago is your #1 then some of the others seem out of place. Try to narrow a bit on size and physical surrounding. You can do this without compromising on character.</p>
<p>For example, if you want urban, then ditch Hamilton. If you want artsy then forget RPI. If you want small reconsider UVA.</p>
<p>Catering to a wide scope of intellectual interests is the hallmark of a liberal arts education, whether you seek it at a large public university, a medium private, or a small liberal arts college. All are valid routes to pursue, but only you can decide which best suits your personality and learning style. I went to a mega-large public. I received an excellent education, but my overall experience was nowhere near the quality level that my son enjoyed at his small LAC. Again, it's a personal FIT thing. Only you can make that decision. </p>
<p>From what you've told us about yourself, I'd suggest that you take a look at Williams. Great Chemistry and Economics departments. Performance opportunities for non-major musicians. Middle range politics. Surprisingly high quirk factor.</p>
<p>RPI is nly on there because I got the medal, and it would be quite rude to my school to not even apply, as there is a good chance, knowing how my CC office works, that some kid who wants to go there next year won't get the mdeal because I didn't even apply.
The surronding environment is not that big of a deal to me. I have lived in both rural and urban places, and thus have a healthy respect for both ares.
I personally believe that I would fit in best with a medium private or small LAC. Thus, I am applying to 3 big state schools, on the basis of smaller programs within them (Michigan has Residential College, Wisconsin has some limited majors that I intend to try for, and UVA is just instate).
So I guess I am asking for other LACs and medium sized privates that I should look at. Looking at Williams, it seems to be quite a reach due to my GPA, but I will consider it. Thank you for all the help so far.</p>
<p>Quirky intellectual, small or mid-sized school, chemistry or economics.</p>
<p>Your best fits really do seem to be at Chicago and Carleton probably followed by W & M, Reed, Grinnell, and Oberlin. Swarthmore would seem a good choice as well, but will be a reach. With 2 great instates (W & M and UVa) on your list, I'd argue Michigan and Wisconsin, great schools as well, are superfluous here. They are twice the size of UVa and the programs there that you speak of will do less than you may believe to really shrink the school down to a size you like.</p>
<p>Thank you for all the responses everyone. I did some more research, and was looking at Tufts. It seems to fit much of my criteria, and was wondering if anyone who knew more about it could comment.</p>
<p>Take a look at the Patriot League schools. They are all relatively small (3-4000 students) and are among the oldest and most prestigious LACs in the nation. They are located in the Northeast as well. The Patriot League - Official Athletic Site</p>