<p>As an upcoming senior, I've begun the process of compiling a list of colleges I will apply to in the fall (in actuality, I began this list as a junior, but that is unimportant :).</p>
<p>I've got some reaches, and an okay amount of matches, but I feel like my safeties are lacking a bit, especially in terms of how much I actually like the schools. I understand how important having a legitimate safeties list is, and was hoping for some help. </p>
<p>Stats:
Female, African American, from WA state, noncompetitive high school, looking for and while probably get financial aid (income less than 35,000)
SAT I: 1850 (I'm working on improving this score), GPA u/w: 3.9, I have yet to take the SAT II but, since I did well on my AP exams (world history: 4, us history: 4, english language: 5), I think I will do pretty well.
Rank: At least top 10, probably top 5%, out of about 500 or so (I'm not completely sure on the size of the class, but we are a big school).
ECs: Focused on writing (my passion), along with my job at the movies (held for a year)
Ok amount of volunteer hours, will have good recs and a pretty good essay</p>
<p>Reaches: Stanford, Brown is on my list but I realize how big a reach it is (I'm still not sure how I feel about Brown, in terms of actually going there), Pomona could be a reach or potentially a match. The same for Reed.</p>
<p>Matches: Pitzer, USC (I think), I've been looking into UC colleges but the sizes are worrisome (I like smaller schools)</p>
<p>Safeties: University of La Verne, Willamette University (I don't think I like these schools very much, though. I mean, they appeal to me in certain areas, but not enough to make me fall in love with them)</p>
<p>I'm looking for a small-ish, liberal arts school (I'm interested in social sciences; i.e. psychology, anthropology, etc, if that helps), preferably on the West Coast, Oregon, California, etc. I don't want to have to stay in Washington (mostly because of the weather) but I'm open to most suggestions.</p>