Hello everyone ! So I’m attempting to compile a list of colleges that would be matches and safeties as a lot of the ones I have on my list now are low to mid reaches with a couple of lottery schools thrown in there (UPenn, Dartmouth, Duke, JHU, etc). As for location goes, I’m looking to be in the northeast (I really like the PA area) in a city with a good public transport system or at least nearby a city, however, I’m flexible. I’m not too picky about school size as long as the average class size isn’t over 30-35 people. I know I won’t be receiving any financial aid and I’ve discussed with my parents and they are willing to pay whatever it takes but, schools where I would be eligible for a scholarship would obviously be appreciated.
GPA: 3.875/4 UW 4.9375/6 W
ACT: 29 (still waiting on writing score but previous writing was a 9)
Class rank: N/A most likely around top 15%
AP’s: 2 taken (APES & APUSH) 4 for next year (AP Calc AB/BC, AP BIO, & AP LIT)
EC’s: 200+ hours of volunteer work through the same organization, marching band and winterguard member (leadership for marching), section leader in concert band, beta club member, GSA founder and president, officer of PAW club, Tri M member, various academic awards through my school, various music awards
Hooks: URM
Other info: So I’m actually graduating a year early, however, I will be graduating with a full course load and my transcript will look like any other seniors (32/32 possible credits 23 taken once summer ends).
Schools that I’m looking at right now:
Safeties
-High Point University
-University of the Sciences (OOS)
-UNCW
-App State
-Elon University
Low Matches/Almost Safties
-UMass
-UConn
Matches
-UPitt (OOS)
-NC state
-UNC
-Wake Forest
Low Reaches
-Villanova (OOS)
-Emory (OOS)
Reaches
-Duke
-Dartmouth (OOS)
-UPenn (OOS)
-Johns Hopkins (OOS)
If any other information is needed please let me know !
whoops i forgot to mention that I’d be a biology or neuroscience major on the premed track, also a college with a good study abroad program would be nice but not required
I agree Northeastern is not a safety. I also think Wake Forest is more of a reach school. The 25% ACT score for UNC is a 28 - that makes it a reach OOS ( which would happen regardless of score) and still a bit reachy (?) for in-state, although certainly very possible depending on the rest of the application. Does your school have Naviance? I would place Elon in the match category… and lastly… I would move Emory into the reach category.
Given your desire to have average class sizes of 30-35 students, I am surprised to see some of these schools on your list. It is not uncommon to have lecture halls in intro classes with about 150-200 students; other classes will have fewer.
It is possible that UNCW or A would give you merit, but I am not sure. You need to find schools where your numbers are at the top of the applicant pool if you want to be competitive for merit.
My answers are generic as I don’t know your school, state, etc. If you are from NC then some of these schools will be easier… including Duke ( but Duke is still a reach regardless).
You’ve given some really good suggestions and I really appreciate that. I am from NC sorry I probably should’ve clarified that and my school, unfortunately, does not have naviance.
Wake Forest probably not a match. But one thing that tips the scale is your URM status. If you are not a URM or have other significant hooks, ACT 29 is essentially non-competitive with the “reach” schools you have. But being a URM will obviously help. If you can get the ACT up to 31-32, being a URM, you have decent shots at those “reach” schools. UNC (CH) assume you are in-state, and being a URM, ACT 29 + your GPA probably will cut it but it is no safety for sure. ACT 29 will be difficult to get merit scholarships… but the reach schools may get you need-based aid. From my experience, URM from low-income families can get a decent amount of aid from the “top” schools. JMHO.
@avokaidos I’m going to guess that you are Hispanic, if you are not please specify your ethnicity?
High Point University- Safety
-University of the Sciences (OOS)- Low Match
-UNCW- safety
-App State- Safety
-Elon University- Match
-UMass- Match
-UConn- Match
-UPitt (OOS)- Match
-NC state- Low Match
-UNC- Match
-Wake Forest- Low Reach
-Villanova (OOS)- High Match
-Emory (OOS)- Reach/ High Reach
-Duke- High Reach
-Dartmouth (OOS)- High Reach
-UPenn (OOS)- High Reach
-Johns Hopkins (OOS)- High Reach
If you like all of these schools equally I would apply to Dartmouth ED, then Emory ED2. A 29 is low for these Reach schools, But if you can get a 30 ACT or a 1400 SAT
Based on what you shared, think you’re probably a pretty good match for Villanova. My son is starting there in August (physics). If it helps, he was ranked around 30th in his class of 360, took an AP heavy course load, and played in the band. Not sure of his final GPA but he scored mostly As with a few Bs. He did score quite high on both the ACT (33) and the new SAT (1520 SS) - I’m sure this helped a lot. In any case, he applied EA and was accepted.
Below is a link to VU’s most recent admissions data. Your URM status, grades, challenging courseload and the fact you are graduating a year early likely makes up for your lower than average ACT scores, I’m thinking. That and your choice of a STEM major, which Villanova and others seem to find desirable right now. Good luck!