<p>Hello, all--
I'm a rising senior who has incredibly high dreams regarding colleges...just look at my list. I've been looking for a good safety school to apply to. I'm from NH, and was planning on applying to UNH, but, unfortunately, they're not on the Common App, and I really don't want to kill myself with whole other essays, short answers, etc. just for a safety school. Is this a stupid mindset to have? Are there any suggestions about safety schools (based on my creds) that are on the Common App? Thanks in advance---</p>
<p>Colleges:
Yale (EASC)
Barnard
Georgetown
Brown
Dartmouth
Swarthmore
Oberlin
Hamilton
Colgate</p>
<p>Rank: 2/448</p>
<p>SATs:
740 M
750 V
800 W</p>
<p>SAT IIs:
800 Math II
780 Math I
770 US History
770 Literature</p>
<p>AP Scores:
5 US History
(my school only offers one AP class to juniors)</p>
<p>Extracurriculars:
Interact--President (3 yrs)
2 service trips to El Salvador for Interact
Literary Magazine--assoc. editor (11), editor-in-chief (12)
Concert & Marching Band--1st chair bari sax
Town Band
numerous outside musical activities
NHS
WLHS
Merit Scholar semifinalist</p>
<p>Summer programs: CTY (4 yrs), Oxbridge 2006</p>
<p>numerous writing awards & publishing credits in 3 private literary magazines</p>
<p>You should check out schools that aren't on the common app, because you can often use your common app essay for them. It's really not all that much extra work unless they have a particularly unique essay question. Especially since this is your safety school, you don't want to limit yourself -- it's not "just" a safety school, it's a school that you want to be genuinely happy going to if you don't get into any of your "dream" schools.</p>
<p>How about NYU or GWU?</p>
<p>NYU and GWU should never be considered safeties. Plus don't forget that GWU is one of if not the most expensive school out there... do the work and apply to UNH.</p>
<p>Lunarchic, one of the hardest parts about picking the colleges for your list are finding "safety", "sure shot" schools that can give you what you want. It is so easy to pick the top name schools, and so fun to run their names by and compare the merits of H vs Y. It's not so easy or fun to switch your mindset to a school without the name recognition. You have to work to find a good match for yourself.</p>
<p>Your stats are so outstanding that it is highly unlikely all of those schools on your list will not admit you. However, statistically, there is that chance, and if the moons and planets are aligned the wrong way, it just might happen to you. Especially if you do not give due attention and interest towards the less selective schools on your list. Kids with high stats too often nurture and stroke their top choices and do not show the enthusiasm for schools "lower" on their list. Demonstrated interest has become a major part of the decision making process for colleges.
If you can get your app in early to a rolling admissions school--many state schools fall into that category, you would have your safety pretty much locked up. Many times such schools have very short applications with very general essays, if any, so that it would not take you much time to apply to such schools as well. But to do this right, picking a safety you will like and fits your requirements, is a tough job.</p>
<p>nice list/stats.
i think you're in at barnard and hamilton. for even safer schools, try bucknell, lafayette, mt holyoke, smith.</p>
<p>Thanks to everyone so far...I just wanted to set the record straight on one thing. I'm really, really trying to get into the mindset of having a safety being a happy place, instead of a last resort, but, as I'm sure many of you feel deep inside, sometimes this can be really difficult. My parents aren't of much help, either--they're so proud of my stats that my mom is like, "oh, Barnard can be your safety". (She really doesn't understand the admissions process, haha.)
My new question is, how many of you ended up at your "safety"? How did you find it to begin with? Are you happy where you are, or do you still wish you were somewhere else?</p>
<p>Also, the colleges on my list (with the exception of Yale) really aren't in any sort of ranking at this point. I've seen them all, and I really have liked them all. I've seen a lot more colleges than those, but those are the ones whose curricula and atmospheres I really enjoyed. So, as for demonstrated interest, I would seriously be very happy at any one of them.
Thanks again</p>
<p>If you need any help convincing yourself that Brown should be at the top of your list, pm me or check out the Brown forum... I'm a sophomore at Brown now, and as my name makes obvious, I love it!</p>
<p>As has been said, you should consider rolling admission schools. Have you taken a look at the Honors program at the University of Michigan, or the Residential College?</p>
<p>My safety was GWU (with stats almost identical to yours)... I didn't actually end up applying there since I got into another school EA, but it's worth looking at.</p>
<p>Common app schools that might also be safety schools for you include the following:</p>
<p>University of Vermont
Clark University
Hobart and William Smith
Skidmore
Earlham</p>
<p>I also agree with the advice previously given to find a rolling admissions school, such as University of Michigan, apply early and have an acceptance in your pocket as you go through this process, even if it means filling out a separate application.</p>
<p>I can't imagine UNH would be that involved of an application; otherwise, I would agree with huskem. Also, I would think you are very, very likely for Georgetown, Colgate and Oberlin too.</p>
<p>I'm pretty sure that Barnard, Oberlin, and Hamilton are backups. You would at least get into one of them with your stats, but just apply to UNH to be safe.</p>