Looking for Good "Safe Schools" - preferably NC

College Search & Selection
1

<p>Well, I have my 3 top schools picked: UNC-Chapel Hill, University of Virginia, and Boston University.</p>

<p>But I really would like 1-2 safe schools, preferably in North Carolina. Some things I'm looking for:</p>

<ul>
<li>a strong science program (specifically chem.)</li>
<li>study abroad</li>
<li>marching band</li>
<li>some humanities would be nice</li>
</ul>

<p>SAT Scores:
crit. reading - 720
math - 650
writing - 660</p>

<p>I've already ruled out Appalachian University, UNC-Williamston, and Western Carolina University.</p>

2

<p>East Carolina
Elon, although more of a match
NC state</p>

3

<p>Where is UNC-Williamston? You mean ECU?</p>

4

<p>NC State would be a fine choice. Strong science. You could tap into all the ACC's study abroad programs too.</p>

<p>Also, what about UNC Asheville?</p>

5

<p>Probably meant Wilmington</p>

6

<p>Yes, I meant Wilmington. >_<</p>

<p>I'm a little iffy on NC State just because their drumline is a bunch of drunks and stoners, which I don't much want to associate myself with. I've been looking at Elon quite a bit though.</p>

7

<p>UNCA is the coolest school in the world.</p>

8

<p>UNC-Asheville
NC State (don't associate with the stoners and drunkers, they are everywhere you know, lol)
ECU (not much to do off campus, but loads on campus)
UNC-Greensboro (not sure about how their science program ranks, but I love the school for some reason)</p>

9

<p>What about NC A&T? The band is always one of the top 5 in the country, and the science and engineering programs are reputable. And if you are a minority, you can pretty much get a full ride.
And nothing beats AGGIE PRIDE!</p>

10

<p>Why have you ruled out AppState? Don't they have a strong music program?</p>

11

<p>Appalachian has a VERY strong marching band. They have a strong science program. And lots of App students go overseas to study abroad. They may also offer you a scholarship! So THINK!</p>

<p>If you are instate NC, you will likely get into UNC-Chapel Hill. If you are not, you are definitely on the bubble. Ditto for Virginia....likely in if in-state, likely NOT if out of state.</p>

<p>You have great stats so dont worry about that. </p>

<p>I am very fond of Elon. Great school, good sports and marching band, and very strong overseas studies.</p>

<p>ECU is coming on strong and has a respected Medical School. </p>

<p>There are drunks and stoners everywhere. Including the Ivy League, Chapel Hill (a known party school), Duke, UVa, and Stanford. So dont rule out NCState. </p>

<p>Wake's band is well.......a major disgrace. Faculty joke about it. So if that is important to you, skip it.</p>

12

<p>Since UNCA,UNCW and UNCG don't have football teams there is prob. not a marching band there (one of the OP's criteria). If ASU is out, then that leaves you with Elon (I'm assuming they have a band) NC State and ECU.</p>

<p>Both NCSU and ECU have strong marching band programs along with plenty of science offerings. A friend's freshman D joined the NCSU band this year and is enjoying it. ECU has a good school of music so has a really good band year end and year out. Since ECU has a medical school I would imagine their sciences to be strong. It has core curriculum requirments that include humanities and fine arts. </p>

<p>Beyond those , there are a few small privates that have football teams....Guilford, Lenoir-Rhyne, Gardner-Webb, Catawba..don't know if they have bands or not and would be quite a step down from the big school atmosphere of your top choices.
Of course there is Wake Forest but don't think that would fall in the safety category.</p>

13

<p>There are going to be major differences in marching bands in football 1-A versus smaller 1-AA schools, so Elon's band and football venue are relatively small, while those at ECU and UNC are much bigger because it's more of a national stage. May be something for you to think about if you are doing marching band...</p>