My college application list...

College Search & Selection
1

<p>So heres another one of these annoying what-are-my-chances threads. I bet this is going to be harsh because I dont have a list of ECs a mile long and my test scores are modest, but keep in mind I REALLY dedicate myself to what I do. </p>

<p>GPA: 3.87 unweighted </p>

<p>Rank: 15% (So thats unweighted too... which is kind of unfair because of my class of 800 students I am taking the hardest courses. I mean, there is NOT another student in my class who has taken as many AP/Enriched classes as I have. Maybe I can have my councilor explain that???)</p>

<p>SAT: Math-730, Reading-690, Writing-640 (Im going to retake and now that Ive done some studying I think I should get 700+ on all sections and my SAT IIs should also be up there) </p>

<p>AP tests: Calc BC-5, Bio-5, Stats-4, US History- 4, Chem-4 and some other 3s that I guess wont really matter for the top schools...</p>

<p>ECs:
Swimming- Ive been swimming year round for 11 years and the past few years it has been 20-30 hours a week depending on the season. Im not applying to any schools early because I want to be able to mention any results from high-school state this year. I really dont know how thats going to work out but right now Im shooting for two individual events.</p>

<p>Cello- Ive played for 8 years and have been in various orchestras and bands. I also take private lessons.</p>

<p>NHS- Yeah so I guess this isnt that big of a deal but I was in in last year and will be in it again this year. So theres a bit of volunteering with that...</p>

<p>Women in technology- So Ive been in this and doing some job shadows and such. I am 99.99% sure I am going into engineering. </p>

<p>Work:
Soccer referee- Ive been doing that for 4 years. </p>

<p>Ive already written some essays and, if I do say so myself, they are excellent (I love to write!!!). I think they will really boost my application. </p>

<p>Meh... so there I am. I know its not that great but I feel like if things go well this year I could be a fairly strong applicant. SO my game plan is:
1.) Apply to a bunch of really good schools and hope for the best.
2.) Go to Purdue or the University of Minnesota if all else fails (I mean those are good schools but I do really want to go out East). </p>

<p>So here is my list:
Purdue
U of Minnesota
Notre Dame
Bucknell
Lehigh
Duke
Yale
Johns Hopkins
Brown
Dartmouth</p>

<p>So what does everyone think? What schools do you think are good safeties/matches/reaches? Any advice?</p>

2

<p>Definitely retake the SAT... where your class rank suffers, you can make up for it on your 700+ SAT scores across the board.</p>

<p>Let's look at your list.. in my humble opinion</p>

<p>Purdue- match
U of Minnesota-safety
Notre Dame-reach
Bucknell-match
Lehigh-match
Duke-reach
Yale-really high reach
Johns Hopkins-reach
Brown-high reach
Dartmouth- high reach</p>

<p>I know you are not thinking of applying early. Perhaps you should reconsider. For some of your reaches, applying ED will give you a, albeit nominally, better shot. </p>

<p>State results in swimming should be sent to the d1 ivies and d3 hopkins. They may be interested in you further should you look to swim collegiately.</p>

<p>good luck :)</p>

3

<p>If you know you are going into engineering you should expand your list to include colleges/tech schools with strong engineering programs.</p>

4

<p>Why is MIT not on your list? I think it's a not-too-unrealistic reach for you. As a female, an athlete, a musician and an aspiring engineer who wants to go to college out east, it seems like MIT would be heavenly for somebody like you.</p>

<p>I would also add Tufts and URochester to your list-- liberal arts and engineering, similar atmospheres to many of the schools you've mentioned.</p>

<p>I would reconsider Brown and Dartmouth in terms of engineering and overall feel and fit.</p>

5

<p>Virginia Tech could be another low match.</p>

6

<p>If you are a student at an average public h.s., not a major feeder to the top schools, I think you should have a frank discussion with your g.c. about the school's track record for placing students at your high reaches (and that would include MIT imo). </p>

<p>At our big public CA h.s., placements to schools like HYPSM are at most four or five per year out of a graduating class of nearly 700. Do the teachers and g.c. at your school have a track record for writing the kind of recommendations you will need to make an impression on ivies/mit? The kids that get in from our school are "walk on water" types ---- workaholic dynamos (and NMF) or sell-you-ice-in-Alaska charmers (and NMF) or total package athlete-musician-teachers' favorites (and NMF-commended at least). Our students have gotten in to the high reaches-for-everybody despite not being valedictorian, but they have all been at least in the top 10 percent, and as I indicated, quite high in SATs. (Including the young woman who went to MIT for chemical engineering, a star athlete who was third in the class and a NMF scholar with 2340 SATs.) </p>

<p>I'm not trying to discourage you, or suggest that you shouldn't take a shot at the super reaches --- all you've got to lose is the app fee --- but don't get distracted by the mirage either. I think you should really delve into researching the programs at the universities on your list and put as much effort into studying up on matches and mere reaches as you might into trying to "stand out" for the high reaches. If you can convey in your application how you are a great fit for specific program in the engineering dept of a "reach" --- convey how the college's vision, philosophy, direction, in engineering is just what you're looking for --- you would have a better chance than just choosing to send in an app and hoping for the best bec the college has a prestigious name and it's East Coast. </p>

<p>FWIW, I think menlopark mom made a good point and Palmbeach got it right on the s-m-r assessment.</p>

7

<p>Thanks for the advice everyone, it was really helpful!!! So I will look at my list again. </p>

<p>Here was the original reasoning behind the schools I picked: </p>

<p>Purdue- I am basically as good as in. My high-school does onsite admission and my SATs have got me covered so I don't even have to apply. Also, I really do like it and can see myself going there if I dont get accepted anywhere else. </p>

<p>U of M- Its close to where I live and so it makes my parents feel better. Besides its a pretty decent safety. </p>

<p>Notre Dame- My mom REALLY wants me to at least apply. Its not my first choice by any means but I do like the atmosphere and if I was accepted I would really take it into consideration.</p>

<p>Bucknell and Lehigh- These two both really stood out when I was researching schools. I like the engineering programs and they both have swim teams that I think I might be compatible with. Also, they seemed to have that stereotypical East coast atmosphere that I'm in love with and I think I have a reasonable chance of getting into them. </p>

<p>Duke and Yale- Dream schools right here. Not just for the name. Ive done my research and have fallen head over heels in love with both. I know they are reaches (especially Yale) but I just have to apply to them. </p>

<p>Johns Hopkins- Originally I was thinking that I for sure wanted to go to a D1 school (for swimming, and thats why I haven't researched some of the schools that you guys suggested). However, when I started researching Johns Hopkins I decided to make an exception. The engineering programs there sound amazing!</p>

<p>Brown- So I guess I have less justification with this one. Its more along the lines of I just love it. Not as much as Duke and Yale, but still. Its on the list from before I knew that I wanted to go into engineering and was thinking I wanted to go into chemistry or biology. I did my research and I know that maybe its not the perfect fit but I know I would be very happy there. And I mean, I really don't know where I'll be accepted. So I figure I should apply because I love it and then I only have to decide if its right for me if I get in.</p>

<p>Dartmouth- When I first came to my parents with my list of about 40 schools, this and Notre Dame were the ones that my mom instantly decided that she was going to obsess about. Personally, this is the school I have the biggest doubts about applying to. However, since my parents are paying for this I just think it might go smoother if I apply. </p>

<p>So anyhow, I know that my list is more aimed at reaches than matches and safeties but thats because I dont have a huge problem if I do end up at my fall back schools. But I guess I've been wondering just how extreme my list is and if there is anything missing. I'll look into the schools that you guys suggested for sure! Im not as concerned with the whole D1 vs D3 schools criteria anymore. So I think that it is very possible I might add a few D3 schools now. </p>

<p>Thanks again!!! And any more advice would be really welcome too!!!</p>

8

<p>If you have not visited Cornell yet, i would do so. Its more realistic for u to get into than yale and has a much MUCH better engineering program.</p>

9

<p>Hmmm... is Yale really that bad at engineering?</p>

10

<p>I agree that University of Rochester would be great. Look at George Washington U. Catholic University also has a good engineering department. How about Northeastern? I also agree that substituting Cornell for Yale or another of your top reaches makes sense.</p>

11

<p>If you're serious about engineering as a career (and not just as a path to med school or wall street) I'd agree that schools like michigan, purdue, or cornell may serve you better than the likes of dartmouth, yale or brown with overall weaker engineering programs. The exception is bme where duke and hopkins are strong.
You may want to consider another non east coaster - Northwestern - for its across the board very strong engineering depts and high quality liberal arts offerings all an El ride from Chicago.</p>

12

<p>^^or instead of michigan, why not look at UIUC if you're interested in engineering? it's easier to get into, and it's a better engineering school.</p>