<p>I'm looking for schools that put a huge emphasis on test scores, GPA, and course rigor and like no emphasis on extra-curriculars and volunteering and all of that. Someone want to point me in the right direction?</p>
<p>State schools.</p>
<p>Very few top 20 schools are going to admit students with only great test scores, GPA, and course vigor… there is going to be some emphasis on extracurriculars and volunteering in admissions. However, there is some spectrum with the top schools. I believe that Emory, Carnegie Mellon, and Tufts are schools you could get into with very high stats and mediocre activities… but you still need to be involved in extracurriculars/volunteering somewhat.</p>
<p>Schools in every country in the world except the USA. The USA is the only country where spending 100 hours helping the local Democrats paint “Bush Sucks” posters is a worthy substitute for studying. And then we wonder why students from other countries have higher math scores.</p>
<p>You may be selling yourself short. Do you have a hobby that you pursue independently? That counts. Or a job that you work long hours at, including caring for siblings while your folks work? That counts too. Is there a topic that you have become a ‘subject matter expert’ on in your free time-you know everything about ‘x’-then that counts too. </p>
<p>Kids often get the bizarre idea the ECs means school clubs, sports, or some other organized activity in which they can show ‘leadership.’ That’s certainly one way to go at it, but its not the only way. Lots of kids get into top schools because they have a passion they puruse totally on their own.</p>
<p>State schools. Otherwise, look at the rest of the world…</p>
<p>O Canada?
God Save the Queen?</p>
<p>no impagination has a point. Take a look at University of Richmond in London and St. Andrews in Scotland for starters.</p>
<p>Besides state schools, one other option is to cast your lot with a school that has a serious “life of the mind” cult. If your class rank and scores are very high (top 10% in a rigorous program, 2200+), an exceptional interview or essays just might wangle your way into a place like Reed or Chicago. With lower stats, St. John’s College.</p>
<p>These schools do ask about the usual extracurricular baloney. Apparently their licenses to run a college get revoked if they don’t. However, what they are really looking for is intellectually interesting students (if you can imagine).</p>
<p>The way they go about it is odd. Reed has been known to spring very deep interview questions on applicants (“what is free will?”). Chicago asks those off-the-wall essay questions on their application (go look). If these exercises sound like your kind of sport, then you might be just the kind of nerd they’re looking for.</p>