Lost Junior

Chance Me / Match Me!
1

<p>I'm a high school junior from Indiana and I have no idea where my stats put me in respect to selective colleges. I'd like to go to a good, small liberal arts college, preferably in New England or the Mid-Atlantic and even the eastern mid-west. Any comments are fine; I have no idea what level of college I should be looking at though.</p>

<p>GPA: 3.5 uw</p>

<p>Rigor of schedule: All Ap and honors classes throughout highschool (except orchestra). By senior year they will include: Econ, Gov, Eng Comp, Eng Lit, World History, American History, European History, German, Physics, Chemistry, Computer Science (plus a second year of Independent Study) and BC Calc (either Music Theory or psych as well)</p>

<p>Class rank: 40/877 This will probably increase by senior year, as their is an upward trend after very poor Fresman and Sophmore years. I have 1 C+ and 3 or 4 B-s all in Enlgish or History the rest are Bs and higher with As and A-s in science classes.</p>

<p>SATs: 760 M, 700 CR, 710 W (This was my first test and I expect higher scores on my next go around, my PSATs were a 231, w/ an 80 M so that is almost certainly National Merit)</p>

<p>ECs: Principal Cellist in school orchestra since sophmore year, All State Orchestra Member, Pit Orhcestra, Youth Orchestra, Varsity Lacrosse, NHS, awards in Math Contests, Two Years of Fencing, Academic League (similar to Brain Game/ Quiz Bowl), German Exchange Student Host</p>

<p>Minority status: None: I'm a WASP</p>

<p>Legacy: Both Parents Went to UVA. My Grandfather went to Oberlin and my great grandfather was the youngest full professor in the history of the school (Oberlin) during the 1930/40's.</p>

<p>I had been looking at Colgate, Colby etc.. in addition to Oberlin and Lawerence but I dont know if that is realistic. Any suggestions of schools to look at are welcome too. Thanks!</p>

2

<p>Heh, heh. Many GREAT small liberal arts colleges are within your stats!</p>

<p>beprepn</p>

3

<p>Can you tell us a bit more about yourself? There's a huge difference in the feel of Oberlin and the feel of Colgate. Would you prefer a school where the students are more preppy, artsy, nerdy, liberal, conservative, or...?</p>

<p>I would say that schools like Colgate, Colby and Oberlin are within range for you, but I'd also urge you to really try to establish a few safe bet and match choices early on, before moving on to the harder LACs. Lawrence U, for example, would probably fall into the match/safety category for you (unless you're applying to the music conservatory - then it is hard to judge). But, beprepn is correct: you should have many schools to choose from, so I'd suggest you start by focusing on the overall feel that appeals to you, visit a few possibilities over the next few months to fine tune what you're looking for, and go from there.</p>

<p>Good luck!</p>

4

<p>My only question is why you want to go to liberal arts when you seem better at math, and your worst grades are in English. But hey, different strokes for different folks.</p>

<p>You might want to take a look at Bowdoin, too. I don't really know much about liberal arts colleges, but a 231 PSAT is real good, and National Merit stuff looks good. If you keep going, there will probably be fewer than 10 major colleges in this country that wouldn't accept you.</p>

5

<p>YEah I'm with heybucs...your strong point is math...so perhaps try a better university for non-humanities.</p>

6

<p>Well, as far as about myself, I'm pretty liberal but not ultra liberal, which is a reason for hesitations at Oberlin. I have not done much research on most of these colleges other than reading website descriptions and the descriptions in giant "guide to college" books. What I really want from my undergrad education is to enjoy it; not just the social life but also the academic atmostphere. I plan on applying to DePauw too, but I really want to get out of Indiana. I have yet to visit Colgate and the eastern schools (I will over spring break) but I have visited Oberlin and really liked it, but it was one of the three schools I've visited, the others being DePauw and University of Michigan (when I though I wanted to be an Engineer). I really appreciate these comments and I understand the difficulty of reccomending something as personal a college based on numbers and lists, but I appreciate the effort.</p>

7

<p>stucker, you're one of those mixed resume kids who are hard to characterize. Positives: strong scores,very good rank, rigorous courseload, musical talent and commitment, academically focused ECs. Negatives: so-so GPA, no apparent diversity hook. Essays and recommendations and the general strength of your application package can often tip the scale.</p>

<p>The first thing to do is what Carolyn suggested and find yourself some solid safeties and matches. After that you can add some reaches. For someone with inconsistent stats, but a demonstratable talent, you never know which way admissions will go. If they need a cellist, even the most selective schools are possibilities.</p>

<p>I'd systematically go through the 50 LACs listed in USNWR. Focus on your preferred geographic location and music offerings. Aside from the obvious choices of schools with conservatories you can find out more individual music departments by asking the question on this board and perusing the colleges' websites. If you're not planning on actually studying music you'll want to look into performance opportunities for non-majors.</p>

<p>If you are female, be sure to look at women's colleges. If male, consider schools that have a higher percentage of females as sometimes males get a boost. If you do not need to rely on financial aid then you should consider applying ED (or even better EA, if your first choice school offers it). If there's a particular reason for your weak showing freshman and sophomore years then be sure to explain it in your application.</p>

8

<p>Thank you, I'll take your advice on that momrath. I do have two questions though, are strong test scores signfigantly less important to colleges where they are not required, as is the case at some of these schools? Also, my school offers IB, but I opted not to take it. I am still in all AP classes but it is technically not the most rigorous diploma offered by the school, will this have a negative impact?
I really have no excuse for poor freshman and sophmore years but I can (and have to) make due with what I've got. I am male... "no apparent diversity hook" is an understatement.
I appreciate the help and now realize that this is more of a college search thread than a chances thread.</p>

9

<p>stucker,<br>

[quote]
are strong test scores signfigantly less important to colleges where they are not required

[/quote]

I would think they would still be considered a positive. It's more the opposite: if weak they are not negatives.</p>

<p>
[quote]
Also, my school offers IB, but I opted not to take it. will this have a negative impact?

[/quote]

I'd say no. AP's and honors are highly valued and you have a whole pack of them.</p>

<p>Yes, do repost on the search or parents board. Aside from your GPA which would make it a VERY long reach, you sound like you'd be a good fit with Williams -- music, lacrosse, science, math, liberal/moderate, Northeast.</p>

<p>Some schools in the same general ambience and a range of selectivity are Colgate, Amherst, Hamilton, Bucknell, Trinity, Kenyon, Bowdoin. I'm not personally familar with the music opportunities at any but Williams, but I'm sure they all have orchestras of some sort.</p>

10

<p>Stucker, my advice to you is not to pay too much heed to advice from people who may not know as much as they think they do about particular colleges. LACs aren't just for humanities majors--there are plenty of math and science majors in such schools. And there are lots of students who are "liberal but not ultra liberal" at Oberlin. If you really liked it when you visited, then I would trust your instincts. Oberlin is a wonderful school.</p>