<p>I went to a guidence counsler meeting a couple weeks ago, and it was basically her, scolding me for not having prepared during the summer for this process. Now, I'm from small town outside of Boston, who moved to a very competitive (freakishly so even) school in New Jersey, who just got in way over her head. I had no idea that we were supposed to be preparing this much in advance, and I've been scrambling ever since.</p>
<p>So, here's my college list so far. A few of them consist of places that I really love, but most don't and I just put them on there because they seemed like nice places. My list is a bit too reach-heavy though, and I could use some advice about where to apply for matches and safeties. </p>
<p>Here's my info: My parents immigrated here from Korea and I'm in the first generation to go to college. My parents were dirt poor when they came here (my mom worked at McDonalds before she got pregnant with me), and they worked amazingly hard for their living now. I was born in California, raised during my elementary years in Columbus Ohio, moved to Boston for eight years, went a semester abroad to France and lived with a host family for six months, and then moved to New Jersey when I came back with my family. I've been in five different cities, and three different high schools within the past three years, and its been somewhat difficult to adjust.</p>
<p>Anyway, I need a college where I would feel at home. I'm not a big partier or drinker, though I don't mind the occasional party. I'd like a smaller environment (maybe 1,000 to 5, 6 thousand), though would like a really strong community that comes together to cheer for football games. I need a small community, but not one where everywhere I go I see people I know.. I need a campus, and grass where I could potentially read outside of my dorm. Good food. Either that, or a kitchen inside of my dorm. I'd like a city to be somewhat near the college.. an hour tops maybe. I need a major city near me, or events coming to the college all the time so I don't get bored. I need good sized classes, the smaller the better, since I tend work better and much more efficently. Prestiege is a plus, but i'd rather go somewhere that I love than because of the name. I love cold weather and winter sports, and I've grown up with all four seasons so I'm ok with summer like weather too (though winter's my favorite). I'm willing to go to stay in the north, or go to the south, just as long as its near the coast.</p>
<p>Here's my list so far:</p>
<p>Dartmouth (my favorite so far, I doubt I'll get in but I'll be visiting this weekend to decide on ED)
Rice (I'm applying EA)
Wesleyan
Bowdoin
Vanderbilt
Emory
Columbia (just for kicks)
Brown (ditto)
Amherst College
Rutgers</p>
<p>Can anyone recommend any more?</p>
<p>Here are my stats. Help recommend good matches please..</p>
<p>SATs: 2100 (to be retaken in October)
SAT IIs: Physics, Literature, and French w/listening (Nov)</p>
<p>AP tests taken: Euro- 5</p>
<p>Classes:
Geometry, Algebra II, Honors EMA (trig and precal), Calculus
H English I, H English II, H English III, H English IV AP
H World Civ, H World History, H US his, AP US his, AP European his
H French II, H French III, H French IV (couldn't take AP French because I transfered schools and my new school didin't offer the class)
H Spanish II
H Bio, Chem, H Physics, AP Physics II
Musics, Arts, etc, etc..</p>
<p>GPA: Weighted- 4.43 ish
Rank: Pretty sure I'm in top decitile. No specifics</p>
<p>Clubs:
Community Service Club (9, 10)
Drama Club- set design (10)
Volunteens- (11)
Student Council (11,12)
Hand in Hand (12)
Ski Club (12) <------ Lol.</p>
<p>Leadership:
-Youth Leader of church's HS group. 15 teens ranging from 11-17. I lead basically the whole program since my church is so small. I teach Sabbath School, organize outreach and community service, fellowship programs, etc.
-Praise team leader at church: Piano & vocals.
-Co-leader of a cultural Korean Fan Dance group.</p>
<p>Other stuff:
-Played piano since 6 years old (11 years total). I play classical, improvise my own stuff, etc.
-Flute since sixth grade
-I picked up guitar last year and have been learning on my own
-Had a paid job as an English tutor for a French girl (once a week for about three months)
-Job as Dental assistant and secretary for summer of 9th and 10th grade
-Spent an academic semester abroad in France the 2nd semester of sophmore year. Lived with a host family and attended an actual French high school for six moths. (this is why i don't have rank. international grades)
-Volunteered once a week at a Used Books Cafe of Housing Works (proceeds go to help AIDs victims in NYC who are homeless).
-Many many volunteer events with our Fan Dance group performing, church group singing, just me visiting.. at nursing homes, cancer walks, benefits, etc.</p>
<p>I know my clubs and leadership positions look weak, but I do have an excuse... In the middle of my sophmore year I went abroad for an exchange in France. After I got back, during that summer our family moved to New Jersey. So I've been in a total of three high schools, and its been a little tough on my involvement in school since I've moved around so much.. Also, my first quarter grades for Junior year are a bit off since I had a hard time ajusting to this freakishly competitive school after being at such a laid-back on in Boston (YEA boston!). </p>
<p>I do expect spectacular essays.. writing's always been my strong point (and yet, sadly, as the SATs will testify, math has not been..).
RECs: should be good overall. Who knows. Switching schools doesn't really let you get to know teachers that well.</p>