Looking for match schools, ideal undergraduate experience

College Search & Selection
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<p>As a rising senior, I definitely should be well on my way to forming my final college list. However, I'm afraid I might be missing some great schools, so I was wondering if anybody could help me out. Most important to me are excellent undergraduate teaching, a strong and diverse student body, and a plethora of outside opportunities. I haven't yet honed in on what I want to study, but I'm interested in just about everything - biology, journalism, sociology, international relations...that's why I want a school with strong undergraduate teaching in a variety of departments.</p>

<p>As for size, I prefer small-to-midsize schools, maybe 2000-8000 undergrads. I also like the liberal arts feel, but am afraid that I can't afford many LACs. If anyone knows of any that offer great merit aid and have a diverse student body, that'd be ideal.</p>

<p>One of the most important factors for me is money. My parents make enough ($150,000+) so that I shouldn't expect too much need-based aid (except from HYP, which is part of their allure), but they can't contribute very much to my education for various reasons. Schools with excellent merit-based aid (preferably in large amounts) are definitely a plus.</p>

<p>I'm in NJ, so consider distance, but I will consider going just about anywhere in the country.</p>

<p>I sing in choir, and am good enough for All-State/regional choirs, and am also interested in voice lessons, so a school w/ subsidized voice lessons would be great, but not a priority (remember that I'm poor).</p>

<p>So far, I'm looking at HYP, Brown, Dartmouth, Rice, Emory, Brandeis, U of Rochester, TCNJ, and Rutgers (the last two should be pretty safe). My list is very reach-heavy, but I have the two safeties I need, I'd really appreciate if someone could suggest match schools.</p>

<p>Stats: 99 GPA (school doesn't rank, but probably about 5/320) at an okay public school
2370 SAT single-sitting, 2400 composite (2 total tries)
750+ on 4 SAT IIs
Decent ECs (not outstanding)</p>

<p>I realize that I have very good test scores and grades, but am willing to consider just about anything you mention, provided the focus on undergraduate experience and a strong/diverse student body.</p>

<p>Remember, money is a HUGE factor. Merit scholarships = good.</p>

<p>Thanks!</p>

2

<p>Do you have any AP scores?</p>

3

<p>oh, forgot to mention. 5s on Calc BC, US History, Music Theory.
taking 4 more senior year.</p>

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<p>u really only need a couple of 'matches' and MAYBE one safety...:)</p>

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<p>I agree smarteeangel that what you said is good advice in general, but in my case I need to compare financial aid/scholarship offers when decisions come.</p>

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<p>Anybody with suggestions? Maybe I should have had a catchier title :)</p>

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<p>Hey there,</p>

<p>I like your list. I think you need a couple more "slight reaches" to hedge the bet - Amherst and williams seem to be great fits. As slightly less reachy schools Northwestern, Middlebury, and maybe tufts or WashU.</p>

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<p>Thanks! Although I'm not sure about Northwestern or WashU...aren't they known for giving stingy financial aid?</p>

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<p>Actually WashU has merit scholarships and they love near perfect stats. I think its worth applying to see.</p>

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<p>Thanks, I'll check out Wash U and pray for a scholarship, I guess (the Danforth and the others seem hard to get, but Wash U was originally on my list anyway). I like the school a lot - it's just the money issue.</p>

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<p>any more suggestions?</p>

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<p>Grinnell College, in Iowa, is known for merit aid. Also University of Rochester. Admissions match and safety respectively, but for merit aid you should shift everything down one tier.</p>

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<p>Why do think you're going to able to afford Dartmouth or Brown any easier than Williams or Amherst (or other LACs)?</p>

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<p>Brandeis has reputation of offering generous merit aid, so a good choice on your list.</p>

15

<p>With your grades and scores you might get a nice merit scholarship from Tulane.</p>

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<p>Georgetown, Tufts, George Washington U., U Maryland College Park, Johns Hopkins, Boston College, Cornell</p>

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<p>Make sure your guidance counselor recommends you for Emory Scholars program....your stats are very similar to those who were awarded at least 1/3 tuition....you need to be nominated in the fall......</p>

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<p>Thanks for the advice everybody, and I think I'll apply for Emory Scholars.</p>

<p>Gellino, you may have a good point...I guess my rationale is that I am more familiar with Dartmouth and Brown and their curricular offerings/college life, seeing as they visited our school. Would you say that Williams/Amherst or other top LACs offer generous need-based aid to those with an income like $150,000?</p>

<p>If anyone has any other advice or suggestions I would appreciate it.</p>

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<p>There was once a USNWR survey done of colleges that offer the best classroom teaching. Using your constraint of 2000-8000 students, following are the national universities that were ranked for Best Classroom Teaching:</p>

<p>Undergrad Enrollment, College</p>

<p>7253 , Wash U
7038 , Georgetown
6719 , Emory
6648 , Harvard
6584 , Stanford
6532 , Vanderbilt
6394 , Duke
6008 , Brown
5311 , Yale
5035 , Tufts
4926 , U Chicago
4918 , Princeton
4412 , Wake Forest
4164 , Dartmouth
3051 , Rice</p>

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<p>I'm going to shamelessly bump this, while again emphasizing my goal of at least full-tuition merit aid, lofty as that may be.</p>

<p>My financial situation is briefly described in the original post. Basically I'm middle class but won't pay big bucks for undergrad.</p>

<p>So far I'm applying to Emory (scholars), UVa (Jefferson), UNC-CH (Robertson), Rice, Brandeis, Rutgers...</p>

<p>I'm considering adding Duke (prob. a reach), Vanderbilt (a match? maybe?), WUSTL</p>

<p>I removed Brown and Dartmouth on account of the fact that I probably wouldn't be able to afford them.</p>

<p>Any suggestions?</p>