Matches and Safeties for a Good Student

College Search & Selection
1

<p>I'm a junior (Class of 2009) and I've been looking a few colleges. Like most people, it's pretty easy to dream about getting into reach schools, but I've been having trouble with matches and safeties. Before I forget, I'm looking to major in something math/science related, but I don't think I want a tech school, other than perhaps MIT (its the only one I seemed to like, but I'm starting to have reservations). Here are my stats:</p>

<p>White Male
GPA: Around 98.5/100 UW. Weighted is only used for class rankings, so I don't know that. On a 4.0 scale, I'd probably have a 4.0 UW, since my lowest grade in a class was a 94 in College-Level Spanish.
I have taken the hardest courses at my decent high school (around 10-25/220 kids to Top 25 Unis/LACs depending on year)
Ranked 1/230ish
SAT: 760CR 770M 780W
SAT II: 800 Math 2 800 Physics (Just took US and BioM this weekend. Aiming for mid 700s)
APs: Took Calc BC, Stats, English Language, Biology, US History in May. Waiting for scores.</p>

<p>ECs
My most important activity is dancing (ballet/jazz). I have had prominent roles in productions, received numerous scholarships, and attended summer and year round programs (also on scholarship) at world-class ballet companies (think the Yankees of dance). I plan on submitting a dance supplement.</p>

<p>I have played the clarinet since fourth grade. I have been in the advanced band (mostly upperclassmen) since freshman year, have been 1st clarinet since sophomore year, played Eb clarinet as well, and will most likely be 1st clarinet next year. I have also been evaluated and received 97/100 at the state level on the highest level piece. Through this, I got into All-County / Area-All-State Bands. Finally, I have participated in Woodwind Ensemble at my school.</p>

<p>I have participated in Mathletes since freshman year, acting as captain junior and senior year. Last year (soph) I went to the state competition and this year, I was invited but couldn't attend due to a mandatory dance rehearsal.</p>

<p>Also, over spring break this year, I completed an internship at Mount Sinai.</p>

<p>I have been a member of Math Honors Society since freshman year and will be President next year. I also joined National Honors Society this year.</p>

<p>I don't have very much volunteer work compared to the people on here, but most of it relates to dance, clarinet, and one-on-one tutoring.</p>

<p>My only work experience is proofreading performance programs for money.</p>

<p>So I think that's a basic skeleton of my college resume. Based on this, does anyone think they can suggest some matches and safeties. So far my list includes Princeton, Stanford, Harvard, and Columbia. I'm also leaning towards MIT, WashU, Amherst, Pomona, and Wesleyan, but there are many, MANY others, so I have a lot of narrowing down to do on my list, especially since these are all reaches. As for safeties, I'll probably apply to SUNY Binghamton, but I still need more safeties and matches.</p>

<p>I know my list so far is not very cohesive, but I feel comfortable in most environments (at least of the ones I visited). I don't necessarily have any preferences for location, size, or atmosphere, as I feel each has its advantage. So I guess what I'm asking is for a list of academic/admissions matches/safeties, as many as you can think of. And hopefully I'll be able to look into and consider the best "fits" of these schools later. This is really way too long, but any help is appreciated. Thanks!</p>

2

<p>I'm thinking Skidmore, Goucher, Smith.</p>

3

<p>With your credentials you don't need any set traditional "safeties" if your casting such a wide net. I would say think about tufts,Middlebury and Hopkins in NE and maybe in the south Emory or Vanderbilt.</p>

4

<p>Well I don't think Smith will work out (see the first line of my "resume"). If traditional safeties will be difficult, could anyone suggest some matches? Or even other safeties? And can you please identify whether you think the school would be a safety, low match, match, high match, or low reach?</p>

5

<p>What do you want?</p>

<p>prestige? strong undergrad focus? a place where you get to really know the faculty?</p>

<p>You're a genius practically good job, you put a lot of other people to shame.</p>

6

<p>I'm not sure whether the last post was sarcastic, but I'm not trying to brag.</p>

<p>And as I said, I'm not really sure what I want, which is why I was hoping to get a large selection of academic matches/safeties based on my resume. Basically, I'm not sure in which range of schools to look because most of the traditional ways to select safeties are not compatible with my resume (schools where I am above their 75th SAT percentile still have low admission rates). If I can discover that range from others suggestions, then maybe I can look further for actual "fits." So, if you will, it's less work for you!</p>

7

<p>That was a hyperbole, but those grades and test scorex are incredible.</p>

<p>match- rice, Johns Hopkins, Duke, Kenyon, Penn, Brown, Cornell</p>

<p>reach- HYPSM, but they are for nearly everyone</p>

8

<p><em>cough</em>Apply to Dartmouth!<em>cough</em></p>

<p>What are you going to major in?</p>

<p>Northwestern is a match, I think, anyway.</p>

<p>Vanderbilt, Rice = safeties</p>

<p>I'm only going off of schools I applied to, and I will be an economics major.</p>

9

<p>Looking at public schools - UVA [match], UNC [match], UMich [match], or UF [safety] might be good to add, depending on what you end up wanting in terms of location, size, specific major, etc.</p>

10

<p>On the LAC side, Goucher and Skidmore, that firefly recommended and I second would be safeties. I like Goucher for you in particular, because while it is a huge academic safety (I just can’t see you not getting in, plus merit money), it has a strong dance program, and I believe even dance scholarships.</p>

<p>Also check out Pitzer and Occidental as LAC safeties, though I don’t know how good the dance programs are here.</p>

<p>One way for you to narrow down the places you’re applying is to really look into the strength of the dance programs, assuming you want to continue to dance, whether or not you plan to major in it. You’ll want to be sure there are opportunities to dance at a high level, either through classes or performance groups. Same with music, though I’m under the impression that most schools offer pretty decent music opportunities.</p>

11

<p>your credentials are impressive, and it kinda feels strange suggesting matches/safeties for you, because what would be suggested would be reaches for many. I think possible LAC matches for you in the midwest would be Carleton, Macalester, and Grinnell. Good luck ssnalp.</p>

12

<p>Congratulations on your success so far. You don't know how rare you are - a male dancer with good grades. I think you're fine with one safety (Binghamton) if you are willing to attend there. If you're not willing to go there, find another. Many people have given you good matches and you already know your reaches.
Good luck.</p>

13

<p>Thanks everyone! These suggestions have been very helpful, giving me plenty of safeties to look into and choose from. Does anyone think they can help me find some more matches? Perhaps ones that are strong in / have a focus on math and the sciences without necessarily being a tech school? And if anyone, like Weskid knows about dance, that's even better!</p>

14

<p>Two you might want to consider:
Union College in Schenectady NY - it is one of the few LACs with a full engineering program, and a fair dance program. One of my d's friends is there because she wanted to continue dancing while becoming an engineer.</p>

<p>Muhlenberg College in Allentown PA - excellent in sciences, excellent dance programs (ballet, jazz, modern and one of the few with tap as well). With your statistics, you will be eligible for their very generous merit scholarships, and they have dance scholarships as well.</p>

15

<p>I second Union! They actually have a dance minor which is unusual; you can do the whole dance thing but major in something else such as engineering.</p>

<p>Also, If you like Wesleyan think about Macalester. Maybe Bard? Vassar?</p>

16

<p>Consider Dartmouth. Small school good engineering program.</p>

17

<p>From the OP:

[quote]
So I guess what I'm asking is for a list of academic/admissions matches/safeties, as many as you can think of.

[/quote]

Dartmouth is hardly a match or safety for anyone.</p>

18

<p>Are you going to be eligible for financial aid? Will you need scholarship? How important is money in the equation?</p>

19

<p>From my reaches, I'm not expecting merit scholarships, as most of these schools don't even offer them, but I am hoping for some FA; however, my family's FA does not automatically warrant free tuition under the new policies. For my safeties, I would like some sort of money, whether through a dance or academic scholarship, but it would not prevent me from applying to a safety I genuinely like if they were stingy. For my matches, something in between; perhaps a small amount of merit aid or a dance scholarship. Ultimately, my parents are willing to pay the money to send me to college, but their willingness to do so without aid decreases as the quality of the school goes down. But again, they would never refuse to pay.</p>

<p>Also, I'd like to note that my primary interests are in math and the sciences, not engineering.</p>

20

<p>skidmore, brandeis?</p>