making my list

College Search & Selection
1

<p>Sorry this is my first post (risk sounding like a selfish zealot). </p>

<p>Anyway, as a rising junior I feel the need to properly educate myself about college options, and to properly make a list of schools. My mother has been nagging me for months to make one, because she wants me to go visit schools next autumn. I think it's probably too early to have any idea what I want out of my higher education experience.</p>

<p>School
Location: I prefer urban, but that doesn't really matter. I'd also prefer Eastern (more so than I'd prefer urban), but if I found a really attractive school elsewhere, I would of course consider it. I like snow, though. And chilly autumns.
Size: More undergraduates than students at my high school (2800). I don't care how large the school is, otherwise, as long as there are small class sizes. (I also like the idea of courses being taught by professors and not graduate students.)
Majors: I'm making it a requirement that my school has at least a linguistics minor. I'm thinking of majoring in history or classics.
Money: is an issue, but it can be worked around. Maybe.
Study abroad: A must. Assuming I don't botch everything up horribly during college, I want to attend Oxbridge for graduate studies, so study abroad options to those schools would be lovely. I'm also considering studying in France.
Overall, I'd like a friendly (but not overbearingly so), academically challenging (but not too competitive), liberal (but not rampantly socialist) atmosphere with an eclectic mix of people. With nice dorms. And a pretty campus with lots of green. I like trees, but I don't like bugs. At the moment, I don't have any schools I'm set on.... I'm a bit clueless.</p>

<p>Academics & Extracurriculars
Course load: I'm going for the full International Baccalaureate diploma, the programme officially starting next year. I've been taking mostly Pre-IB and honors classes the past two years, though. (Non-honors are Survey of Rock, Symphonic Band, PE, health, and Latin I/II). My schedule next year is IB European History, IB English 11, IB Environmental Systems, AP Calculus BC, Wind Symphony, AP French V, Latin III, and IB Theory of Knowledge/PE (semesters).
GPA: 4.0 unweighted, ~4.6 unweighted (I am positive I will not get a 4.0 next year, but miracles sometimes happen, I suppose)
Rank: top 5%, I guess
APs (expected): US History, English Lang & Comp, European History, Calc BC, French Lang, Environmental Science, Physics C, then maybe Latin (Vergil or however they spell it) or Psychology
IBs (probably): HL Math Methods, History of Europe, English ; SL Latin, Environmental Systems, French. (may do French SL - depends on AP score)
Oh, and if it matters, maybe 20 kids from my school go to Ivies (or equivalents) each year.</p>

<p>SAT: 1380 (freshman) - 730V, 650M
PSAT: 213 (71R, 68M, 74W)
New SAT: Predicted score from 1950 to 2270 (large enough range for you?). I am shooting for a 2250+, but that's unrealistic, I know.
PLAN: 30 (31W, 30M, 30S, 29R)
ACT: Predicted 32-34. Aiming for 33+.</p>

<p>Extracurriculars: language clubs, FBLA, music - nothing very special
For the IB, I will be doing 150 CAS (creative, action, service) hours, plus an additional 50 hours of community service. I also really want to get a job this summer, and take some classes at the local community college that I don't have time for at school (statistics, philosophy, genetics, &c.).</p>

<p>I'm terribly afraid that I'll miss out on the school of my dreams just because it's not recommended by message-boarders, Princeton Review, my family & friends. Does anyone else feel like that? I guess I could be happy enough almost anywhere, but shouldn't there be that ONE place where I would be happiest of all?</p>

<p>Anyway, I could make a huge list of big-name reach schools that I would 'like' to go, because their website is nicely-designed, they have pretty colours, or my grandfather attended. Seeing how it's only recommended we apply to a couple reach schools, that means I have to send out applications to a few other schools that at the moment I probably know next to nothing about. </p>

<p>But my reasoning is (and tell me if it's faulty), if I'm not going to a presitigious top-tier school, why bother going out of state? If I don't get into the dream schools I apply to, then I've saved money and might as well go to CU (where I will be guaranteed admission if my GPA stays above a 3.25). Am I making sense? Like, if I can't go to a really good expensive school, I shouldn't waste my money on a so-so expensive school. So... couldn't I just apply to five reach schools and maybe a couple guaranteed in-state? </p>

<p>OK, that's it. Thank you if you actually read that. You can recommend me schools (if you do, tell me why?), or you can not.</p>

2

<p>The University of Chicago has great departments in all of your areas of interests. I'd term it a match for you. Tufts would be another possibility - you can minor in Linguistics there, but I don't believe they have an actual linguistics department - the minor is interdisciplinary across several departments. Like Chicago, it would be a match for you. You might also look into Johns Hopkins - they have a very strong history department.</p>

3

<p>No, there should not be one place where you would be happiest at. That is a fairytale, like there is one true prince for you. Do you want to base your college search on fantasy?</p>

<p>The reality is that there are an overwelming number of great schools, so it is hard to weed down. You should have no problem finding 10 or so that would suit you well. There's a whole lotta ground between Ivies and CU (whatever that is), or your state schools. Sounds like you aren't very well informed about the range of schools. So start by being open minded and learning, and understanding what these schools can do for people.</p>

<p>When you can narrow to 50 or so you can learn a bit more. Then narrow to 35, starting to sort as reach/match/safety. Then go to 15. After that, you can see if you get early admitted to your top pick school. then you can just apply to 2-5 others if you are looking for fin'l aid or merit aid, otherwise you can apply to the best 10 or so.</p>

4

<p>I totally thought UChicago too- especially with the big size, urban area, but great undergrad facilities. You're guaranteed to.. CU? Columbia with a 3.25?! How's that work? And how is anyone guaranteed to CU? Other than that, you might like Boston College, or Tufts, like carolyn said, which is a great school. You might also like Berkeley or UCLA..which are pretty much guarenteed if you're instate and possible if not.</p>

5

<p>er.. maybe not berkeley or la because there arent really small classes</p>

6

<p>Thanks for suggestions. University of Chicago (based on website) looks good.</p>

<p>And by CU, I mean University of Colorado. Ha. :D If you have a 3.25+ GPA and 1240+ (I think) on the SATs, you're guaranteed admission. Very comforting.</p>

7

<p>I wouldn't sell yourself short at all. You don't fall into the category of a "couple reaches", mainly because you will be borderline at many of the top schools. I wouldn't recommend Chicago, I know 4 people there, all of which hated it. It had "great departments" which is great for future PhD students, but even then the attention level isnt the best from the great professors. </p>

<p>Given a slightly higher SAT you are on target for Dartmouth, Brown, Penn, Duke, and Columbia as reaches. As a lesser reach Northwestern and Cornell. I think you should seriously check all of these places out. I went to Dartmouth (and Columbia for a year) and I can honestly say we have every benefit that going to Stanford or Princeton offers, especially when it comes to alumni networks and getting into top grad schools. </p>

<p>I think one big benefit of going to one of the schools I mentioned is the sense of community, being surrounded by amazing friends, and being surrounded by Professors who care (I got an $8000 grant to live abroad for my thesis research as an undergrad!) I go to a top business school now, and frankly I am often more impressed by my undergrad friends then the grad students. You really become a part of an awesome community.</p>

<p>My advice is to apply to 5 or 6 of these (with maybe WUSTL and Emory as a match) and CU as a backup. That is basically 9 schools, and my hunch is you will end up getting into and loving one of these top schools.</p>

8

<p>WOW, after reading what you are looking for, you need to look into Dartmouth (I love pumping Dartmouth but you are the perfect match). Best study abroad in the Ivy league (I studied in Spain, at Oxford, AND had that thesis grant where I lived in the pacific...). Its liberal (but not socialist), people are the friendliest you will ever meet (in a happy I love dogs and am hilarious kind of way), and the school has the most caring professors. I probably was invited to dinner by professors in college probably 10-15 times no joke, and there were no TAs for discussion sections. Plus famous people come to be in residence and you have amazing access. I had lunch alone with Ang Lee director of "Crouching Tiger hidden Dragon." The alumni network rules and people create incredibly strong bonds. We love going back to ski, swim in the river, whatever. </p>

<p>Winter is about snowball fights, hot chocolate by fireplaces, and awesome parties. During Winter Carnival people ski for 99 cents and build a crazy snow sculpture. </p>

<p>Fall is about amazing colors, all sorts of campus energy, and awesome parties. Homecoming with its HUGE bonfire at night is not to be missed. Its beautiful.</p>

<p>Sophomore summer could not be cooler. After your second year you spend the summer with your class (1100 a class). You get to know a ton of people, and people have parties along the river. Honestly the summer in Hanover is the most beautiful thing you can imagine, storybook like. I used to swim in the Connecticut river every morning before class.</p>

<p>Spring is Green Key (our fall festival) with bands, big inflatable playgrounds, and people hanging out everywhere and playing pong. The spring is also a very fun time on campus. </p>

<p>I went to Columbia my first-year, during which I visited a friend at Dartmouth and was sold. It was without a doubt the best decision I have ever made. When my Dartmouth friends meet up (which is about every weekend night) we still are in awe that it could have been that good.</p>

<p>I am not exaggerating. I promise. It was that amazing.</p>

9

<p>Wow, Slipper, you have ME wanting to go to Dartmouth!</p>

10

<p>I swear its such a secret, I wish people knew how great it is! In grad school we all talk about our undergrad experiences and I cannot tell you how much myself and the Dartmouth crew have to almost hold back because I don't want to offend people who went to other schools!</p>

11

<p>One caveat; I have noticed that the more urbanite international crew (the kind that likes driving BMWs and going to $30 cover clubs...not to stereotype) likely won't like it since that scene really isnt up there.</p>

12

<p>This sad little loser thinks you would be great for Dartmouth; I think they are looking for people who understand the chain rule and have disturbing clear skin. <3</p>

<p>But seriously....
*If I don't get into the dream schools I apply to, then I've saved money and might as well go to CU (where I will be guaranteed admission if my GPA stays above a 3.25). Am I making sense? Like, if I can't go to a really good expensive school, I shouldn't waste my money on a so-so expensive school. So... couldn't I just apply to five reach schools and maybe a couple guaranteed in-state? *</p>

<p>I think that's a good attitude to take. When I was looking at colleges, I compared each possibility to my instate university and seriously thought about it would be worth the extra money. It really helped me narrow my list down: I only ended applying to four schools.</p>

13

<p>That's real interesting considering Dartmouth is as diverse as Yale now, and more so than a great majority of the top schools including Brown and Chicago. So what do you know, loser? Dartmouth was once conservative too, but we call those years the 1980's.</p>

<p>From USNEWS 2004:
Diversity Index:</p>

<p>Harvard .54
Columbia .50
Princeton .49
Penn: .49
Dartmouth .48
Yale .48
Brown .47
Cornell .46</p>

<p>Others:
Johns Hopkins: .47
Chicago: .46
Emory: .46
Northwestern: .46
Michigan: .44</p>

<p>I applied to a bunch of top schools and went to Columbia my first year. My better qualified valedictorian ended up at Haverford. Why? He didn't apply to enough schools. With pouble, who is a borderline top school case, applying to enough schools will get her/ him in.</p>

14

<p>Dear sneveu,</p>

<p>AHHH, you are evil! STALKER FREAK. </p>

<p></p>

15

<p>Also Poubelle I think you might like Brown. I had a hard time choosing between these two, brown is more funky-liberal and Thayer street is awesome for a college town area. I ended up choosing Dartmouth for the community aspects, but Brown is also an awesome place with alot of the things you seem to be looking for. I would look into it. Personally thought Penn was too big, and Duke too southern.</p>

16

<p>Have you considered McGill university? I know it's kinda considered trolling to recommend my own school, but I think it really fits for you. </p>

<p>Location: Montr</p>

17

<p>It is a long walk to the ocean from Macalester College but I think it is also a good match for you. It is located in a nice suburb of Minneapolis-St Paul, a great liveable metro area. It offers majors in classics, history, and linguistics. It has a reknowned study abroad program. It is very selective. The only problem is that it is on the small side under 2000. And it is not in the East. I would also recommend Middlebury (VT) to you, but they don't have linguistics and are not near a big city. Still, you should take a look at Middlebury because it meets most of your criteria.</p>

18

<p>Macalester grad here. . . and I concur with the previous poster. And your best (but not only) chance of experiencing a high concentration of small classes is going to be at schools under, not over 2800.</p>

<p>Brown and Tufts did come to mind based on the original post, as did Penn. I like the suggestion of McGill, too, but it looks a bit too big for my taste. </p>

<p>Two excellent liberal arts schools for your interests are Swarthmore and Carleton, though the latter is rural-ish and midwestern. </p>

<p>Should your test scores not pan out as well as you project, you should be thinking about one or two less selective schools, though your U of Colorado option is perfectly sound. Some less selective schools that would be worth looking into include Reed College and Beloit College.</p>

<p>BTW - nice chilly fall weather at all schools in this post.</p>

19

<p>Edit on location: I don't think I can edit the first message. Hmm. Anyway, while I'm enchanted with the idea of being in an urban area, maybe a small town setting (like Princeton, a bit) would suit me better. I might get distracted in a city. I'll have to visit places before I know, I suppose. I am positive I do not want to go to college in suburbia - strip malls and identical houses and the like. </p>

<p>Re: Middlebury: I actually was told that Middlebury is working on a linguistics minor. That would be nice. My grandmother said I should go there. Ha.</p>

<p>Thanks (again) for the suggestions. Everyone here is very helpful. :]</p>

20

<p>Yeah Middlebury is an awesome place that I would have recommended, its slightly on the smaller scale than what you wanted though. Vassar is also a great LAC worth looking into.</p>