Looking for reach schools to apply

College Search & Selection
1

<p>So, applications are due soon, and my college list is still not complete. I've decided that I'll pick two or three reach schools, a few matches, and a few safeties. I've picked my matches and safeties, but I don't know where I should be applying for reaches.</p>

<p>I'm interested in studying computer science at the best possible university I can get accepted. I live in Texas, and I'm Hispanic.
The highschool I attend is very rigorous. It's ranked in the top 20 highschools nationally and is very competitive, therefore my ranking is somewhat low. Hopefully this will be factored into college admissions.</p>

<p>My stats:
3.5/4 unweighted GPA... huge upward trend junior and senior year
3.8 weighted GPA
45/145.... 30%</p>

<p>31 ACT (10 writing)(32 math, 31 english, 31 critical reading, 30 science)
2100 SAT (660 math, 710 writing, 730 critical reading)</p>

<p>SAT Subject Tests:
Physics - 740
Spanish - 770</p>

<p>AP Scores: AP scholar with distinction
Psychology - 4
Spanish - 5
Computer Science - 3
English III - 4
U.S. History - 4
Physics B - 4</p>

<p>Currently taking 6 AP classes my senior year. Will have 12 AP tests/classes by the end of graduation.</p>

<p>Extracurriculars:
Member of Student Council
New Scholar Academy Mentor (chosen by school to mentor incoming freshman the monthly summer academy.
Kick off Mentor - Mentored set of students throughout whole year
Solar Car member
Vice President of a tutoring club
Parliamentarian of Culture Club
Masterminds (science trivia) competitor
KQSA representative (play music in dances, during morning, afterschool)</p>

2

<p>The standard formula of “Three reaches, three matches, three safeties” was written to encourage students with reach-heavy lists to keep looking for places they might actually get into (matches) and places where they are sure of admission (safeties) so that they aren’t forced into an un-planned gap year. No one should feel obligated to go looking for places where they are almost certain to be rejected (reaches) just to fulfill that 3-3-3 model. If you are happy with your current list, you can quit now.</p>

<p>Since you don’t mention your financial restrictions, I’ve got to ask about that. What are they? If the budget is tight, you are in the range for guaranteed-merit and competitive-merit at a number of places. Go check the threads on those topics that are at the top of the Financial Aid Forum.</p>

3

<p>Can you tell us your match/safety schools to give us some idea of what you’re looking for?</p>

4

<p>Thanks for the quick replies!
I have no financial restrictions.
So far I’m applying to bu, ut Austin, a&m, Georgia Tech and a couple of others for match schools.</p>

5

<p>Olin, CMU, UIUC, Cal Poly SLO</p>

6

<p>WPI, RPI, RIT etc.- Hispanics are very underrepresented in STEM-focused schools, so you would be an attractive candidate combined with your stats.</p>

7

<p>Cornell, URochester</p>

8

<p>Would it be worthwhile to apply to Vanderbilt as a reach considering it’s computer science program isn’t overly competitive?</p>

9

<p>^Absolutely!</p>

<p>I also second Cornell, RIT, and URochester since you’re asking for reaches.</p>

10

<p>Which school(s) are your safeties?</p>

<p>Your class rank does not put you in the auto-admit range for UT Austin or Texas A&M, but you will be auto-admit for some other Texas public universities.</p>

11

<p>My safety would be ut Dallas or the ut cap program. But since I am applying to a lot of match schools, hopefully it won’t come to safeties.</p>