Looking for Target schools for strong academic, test scores due low odds at reach schools

College Search & Selection
1

Hi my S has very strong academics, decent activities, but most of the schools on our list are reach. Safety schools seems easy to find, but target schools where he will be happy, challenged etc seem hard to find. Here are his stats/profile and what he is looking for:

  1. Academics : 4.7 weighted, 4.0 unweighted GPA. 35 ACT, 800 SAT subject in Math II and AP World. 5’s on all AP including USH, BC Calc, NSL, World HIst, Programming, Lang. Taking 4 more APs Comp Gov, Lit, Spanish and Stats. 10 APs altogether by graduation.

  2. Intersted in double major Political Science/Govt and Computer Science. Or minor in Comp Sci. Also looking at Intl Relations

  3. Activities: President of some clubs. Leadership in Theatre crew. Internship with govt and startup two summers.

  4. School preferences: size: 5000+ target, not less than 3000. City schools preferred. East coast, with theatre options. Not too conservative, decent LGBTQ community.

So far, all the schools we have are reach with low admittance rates. Statistics from DC/MD/VA area are against him, so trying to find target schools that are not safety. Top reach schools: Columbia, Tufts, Hopkins, Georgetown, UC Berk.

Appreciate any input and whether more details are needed for advice.

Thanks!!

2

This isn’t a target or likely school, but the description of what he’s looking for in a college screams Brown. Not sure if you’ve looked at it and ruled it out already but if not, he should consider it.

3

URochester and northeastern might fit the bill as targets. Also, if he’s considering UCB, why not USC where he’s likely to get merit money with his stats (he just needs to apply by dec 1)?

4

Given his IR focus, definitely check out American U and GW in DC. Also, would U Richmond work?

5

UVA seems that it would be a great option given you are in-state or have family connections. Academics slightly better than UC Berk too!

6

You know you’ll be full pay at UCB, right?

7

Thanks all, forgot to mention, financial aid not a major issue as my company funds a large portion of college costs and we have saved a lot too. Although merit money always welcome.

We definitely have Brown on our list and I and many have told him its a perfect fit for him, but he did not like Providence so it’s on his mom’s list not his top list. We are in state for UMD not UVA unfortunately, but he does have legacy at Hopkins. UVA is hard to get into for MD residents, many people apply. I think rural and southern don’t fit too well for him.

8

How about McGill. Or smaller and slightly less East., U Mich or U Wisc

9

Rochester, Brandeis. NYU would be a safety if you are full pay.

10

Check out Stanford and Occidental College.

11

American would be a target school or safety. Poly Sci and large gay population.