<p>Just seeing if I can get some info on some schools that I've been considering sort of last minute. I've been looking at Clark, Whitman, Puget Sound, Colorado College, Willamette, and Kenyon. I just need a few more on the safety/solid target side of things.</p>
<p>Im looking to study English and Art at a school with either an open curriculum or pretty flexible core requirements. Good financial aid is needed as well. I have a GPA of 3.82, SAT of 2110, us history 750 and lit 720 ib diploma candidate, 3's and 4's on a couple ap tests, pretty good essays, strong recs. </p>
<p>Of these, which ones work best for me? Thanks!</p>
<p>Grinnel, Macalester. If you want to look at the east coast: Bard, Hampshire, Bennington, Sarah Lawrence.</p>
<p>“Sort of” last minute?
RD applications to Colorado College, Kenyon, and Whitman are due today.
I don’t know about the others.</p>
<p>Your stats are in range for those three schools … I’d call them targets (not safeties) … but have you even started on the school-specific essays?</p>
<p>Clark, Willamette, and Puget Sound are less selective, but maybe not quite safeties (especially if you don’t clearly qualify for need-based aid).</p>
<p>Grinnell supplement asks about the most memorable advice you have received – did you follow it, why or why not, and what happened. I think Macalester asks about how you would benefit from and contribute to the community.</p>
<p>Among the other schools OP mentioned, I would think Colorado’s block plan would take some thought about how it would be a good fit – a school you either fall for or shrug over. Similarly, Kenyon is a wonderful place, though if you haven’t visited, it would be hard to assess your willingness to live in a place the size of Gambier (someone described Gambier as in Kenyon College, rather than Kenyon being in Gambier). </p>
<p>All in all, I suspect it would be difficult to put together a strong essay in a day for schools like these where fit and contribution to the small community matter, and the essay plus interview are the schools’ method to assess that. Look for schools with a more generic essay that can be tailored to particular institution. </p>
<p>As the parent of a procrastinator, I understand the OP’s situation, but would caution about trying to add too many to the mix at this late date when a weak essay not focused on knowledge of a particular school would hurt you, regardless of stats.</p>
<p>Good luck.</p>
<p>Ha i’ve applied to reed, macalester, and grinnell. reading my mind guys. and tk21769, ive already got most of my app stuff done, im just not sure which of these i should apply to in addition to my more top choice schools. i just dont want to pay application fees for all of them if they arent going to work for my anyways. just seeing which would be the best options.</p>
<p>For “best value” cost and financial aid comparisons, have a look at the Kiplinger’s site.
([Best</a> Values in Private Colleges, 2010-11](<a href=“Kiplinger | Personal Finance News, Investing Advice, Business Forecasts”>Kiplinger | Personal Finance News, Investing Advice, Business Forecasts))</p>
<p>value rank …name
11 Colorado College (lowest admit rate in group, 2nd highest need-based aid, highest avg merit)
15 Grinnell
19 Macalester (highest 4 yr graduation rate)
28 Kenyon
31 Whitman (lowest debt at graduation)
47 Reed (lowest 4 yr grad rate, highest cost, highest need-based aid, no merit)
53 Willamette (lowest cost, highest % getting merit)
81 Puget S (highest avg debt at graduation)
90 Lewis & Clark (highest admit rate,lowest need-based aid)</p>
<p>My S considered many of these schools.
He ruled out applying to Grinnell due to the rural location, Reed due to academic intensity, Whitman due to distance from home.
He applied to Macalester and was admitted with merit aid; declined due to cold climate.
He was admitted to CC with merit aid, is attending in his 3rd year, and loves it.
(Private HS, IB diploma, scores a little higher than yours, grades a bit lower).</p>
<p>Thanks so much for the information, those rankings are really helpful. im going to finish up my apps to clark, puget sound, and whitman and send those along. thanks everyone!</p>