<p>Rising female senior looking for match and safety schools.</p>
<p>Statistics:
-3.9 uw GPA
-don't know specific ranking, top 10% of ~300
-SAT 2370 (770 writing), more SAT IIs than necessary ranging from 730-800
-"Hardest courseload" at school (10 APs)</p>
<p>I don't really want to go into EC specifics... Here's a summary: Oboe and piano skill=reasonably good but not very competetive, web design for high school/organizations/company, 120 hrs volunteering, a few clubs/secretary of one, a little bit of paid working but not much.</p>
<p>What I'm looking for: access to a city (ie, in or near one) or at least an entertaining town (and not just in terms of drinking opportunities), 1000-7000 students, minimal emphasis on Greek life, allows non-majors to get involved in art. Possible majors: English, linguistics, neuroscience, might do premed (which isn't a major, but still).</p>
<p>Schools I like: Brown, Rice, Swarthmore, Smith, Goucher, Columbia, and Barnard. I'm looking for similar schools that I stand an OK or good chance of getting into. Merit aid and/or cheaper tuition would be nice so I have a "financial safety." I'll consider my state U since most people apply to it, but I don't really like it.</p>
<p>Thanks in advance for any suggestions; I really appreciate having the help of this forum.</p>
<p>Barring a freakish disaster or outrageous extenuating circumstances, (i.e. you write your essay about eating people or something ;)) you are in at Goucher. I have also heard that they give good financial aid.
BTW, I like your choices. Several colleges on your list are also on mine. :)</p>
<p>Your academics seem to indicate a match at Rice, but your ECs make it more of a reach. Rice, and many other universities, reeeeally need for you to have a <em>passion</em> about something. If you write a strong essay on why you're passionate about something, you'll have a much stronger chance there, from what I've seen of Rice admissions recently.</p>
<p>(WRT merit aid: Rice does National Merit and gives out a fair chunk of change for that, but beyond that, there's not much there in the way of merit scholarships. Tuition has been described as "pint sized" in comparison to other schools of its caliber, though.)</p>
<p>Take a look at Skidmore. Not near a city but Saratoga Springs is a nice town with lots to offer. Mt. Holyoke might be a safe alternative to Smith. Scripps in California might be another safe alternative. Wheaton in Mass. might also be a good choice for you as a safety/match. And, just a tip: apply non-binding EA to Goucher. You'll know early if you're into your safety (which Goucher definitely would be for you) and maximize your chances for merit money. Plus, doing your safety application first will give you a chance to work out the kinks for your reachy schools. I suspect Goucher will offer you a very tempting merit award. Good luck, you have a terrific list of schools!</p>
<p>You have your reaches already but I'm going to tell you to look at Emory b/c I'm cruel like that :) Emory has top programs in everything you listed and your town is Atlanta, down the hill and 5 minutes up the road, I think you'd like it even more than Rice.</p>
<p>I will also 2nd... I mean 3rd whoever said look at Pomona, Pomona and Emory would both be great for you (FYI, Emory has plenty of merit)</p>
<p>Now onto matches, I'd try William & Mary, Mount Holyoke, and Skidmore. The first two are excellent in both the arts & medicine.</p>
<p>Safeties, Northeastern, University of San Francisco, Wagner, Simmons.</p>
<p>Those four all have the programs you want, all under 5,000 students, except Northeastern, less selective admissions, and most importantly they are in the three greatest college towns:</p>
<p>NYC (Wagner, you're on Staten Island)
Boston (Simmons & Northeastern)
San Francisco (U of SF is next to golden gat park, great liberal arts programs and if you need any med/science courses that aren't alreay there, multiple are offered in conjunction with SFS & UCSF)</p>