<br>
<br>
<p>From that perspective, a reasonable set of apps might include something like:</p>
<p> Reach Schools<a href=“visit%20as%20many%20as%20possible%20on%201%20New%20England%20trip%20in%20the%20fall*”>/u</a>
Dartmouth (small rural town)
Middlebury / Bowdoin (small rural town, pick 1)</p>
<p>Wesleyan (small city)</p>
<p> Match Schools<a href=“visit%20in%20spring%20if%20necessary%20after%20decisions%20arrive”>/u</a>
Macalester / Reed (urban/suburban, pick 1 if you decide you like this setting)
Colorado College (small city with nearby wilderness – apply EA and you should get a decision by late December)
Bates / Whitman (outdoorsy / small town, pick 1 if you decide you like this setting)</p>
<p>Berkeley (urban)</p>
<p>Safety
[one other California school as admissions/financial safety if Colorado College does not accept you early (unlikely) or give enough merit aid to make the balance affordable]</p>
<ul>
<li>In the fall take at least one trip to visit a mix of urban//rural, preppy/crunchy etc. Buy the Collegiate Choice Walking Tours videos for the others (if you cannot arrange a trip to western/mid-western match schools, which I recommend you try to do to contrast with New England.) Adjust application choices after visits & research. Then in April visit any final choices you have not already seen.<br></li>
</ul>
<p>This is an example of a realistic, focused strategy that gives you a lot of geographic & other variety without applying to (or visiting) an unmanageable number of schools. 6 or 7 applications, maybe only 1 big trip. </p>
<p>Remember, there is no law saying you must attend the most selective school that admits you. These are all good schools; you have at least a shot at all of them.</p>