So this is just a preliminary list, but I was just wondering if anybody has feedback or suggestions? They’re sorted roughly by acceptance rate, not by preference.
Stanford
MIT
Caltech
UCLA
UC Berkeley
CalPoly SLO
UC Santa Barbara
UC Davis
University of Oregon
CSU Channel Islands
Sonoma
I want to study applied math, not sure exactly what job I want to do with that yet though.
Stats: Junior, 4.0 UW, 4.53 (?) academic weighted. Haven’t taken the SAT yet but got 1480 on a practice with no prep, hoping for low 1500s. I don’t have much as far as ECs go though-- I’m an athlete but not varsity, and I’m in a couple minor clubs (leadership in one but that’s really not much responsibility). I’m planning on doing some volunteering this summer. Nothing interesting ECs-wise though. Also I’m a CA resident in case that wasn’t obvious lol.
I’m not going to get my hopes up for Stanford/MIT/Caltech but I think I’m a strong candidate for CalPoly SLO, which is currently my top choice. How much does school “prestige” matter? Sonoma actually has a lot of things I’m looking for in a school but it’s not considered very impressive.
Even though it’s minor, I’d really like to go to a college with a competitive running club (I run track/XC) so I can continue with my sport. I’m not fast enough to run on a real college team (unless they’ll take anyone). Since so many schools offer applied math I really don’t feel like I’m jeopardizing my academics by making this a priority.
It’s a somewhat large list, but a very diverse and balanced one. A good number of matches, the mandatory reaches, and some safeties. I wouldn’t say prestige is a huge deal for the area you’re going into- it’s best to focus on the college that you feel is the best fit, excel the hell out of it and get into an amazing grad school at a prestigious university. Applied mathematics is a great field! Perhaps you’ll consider engineering at some point as they’re very similar!
Thanks! Yeah, I didn’t want to make it too narrow right now so I have the freedom to be picky on the little things now that I’m doing more thorough research.
@siliconvalleymom Obviously aid will be a big help but my family has been saving for college for my brother and I for a long time so they’ve reassured me not to worry about cost this early. I still don’t like the idea of going to an expensive private college though, unless I get enough aid to make it not so expensive. My mom would like for me to go to a college with a strong alumni network, which usually means private. But they’re not going to force me to go to a private school. If I got into MIT then I might go but I’m not sure Stanford or Caltech would be worth it for me.
@ClarinetDad16 Right now my main interest is running, but I was really into math my freshman year and I think that passion will resurface. Freshman year I was teaching myself math and spent sophomore year being really bored in math, but I was able to skip ahead a couple years so it’s more interesting now. (Freshman year I was in geometry, sophomore year I took algebra 2/trig, this year I’m in Calc BC-- I skipped precalc and calc AB).
It’s great that you parents have saved but they still need to look at the prices. There may be a bit of sticker shock in how much tuition, etc has gone up since they were in college. $60,000+ per year for full pay will make you choke (for the privates on your list). You may not be full pay but it’s worth running the NPC and discussing actual numbers with your parents.
Yeah, I feel like I’m actually a bit more concerned about cost than they are. I’m not too attached to them though so I’d be perfectly happy going somewhere else more financially practical. As I said, right now my top choice is CalPoly SLO, and Sonoma has a lot of things I’m looking for. I don’t know if I even want to apply to Stanford and Caltech, and getting into any of those schools is pretty unlikely.
One reason my mom likes the private schools is because the 4 year graduation rate is higher, but I think even 6 years at a school like CalPoly is probably going to cost less than 4 years at a private school.
I’m pretty sure that University of Oregon is part of that program where OOS students can get in state tuition for certain schools. If I’m wrong and I can’t get in state then I’ll probably take it off my list.
Good list. The only suggestion I would make is that it feels top and bottom heavy and a little thin in the middle. U.Oregon is nice but you’ll have OOS tuition - may not be worth it as a safety. With your grades you have a very good chance of getting into SB or Davis anyway.
MIT/Stanford/Caltech are all super reaches, and even if your SAT is in the low 1500s your chances of getting in are slim to none, especially without major ECs. By all means apply but you should look your application as no more than buying a lottery ticket. That leaves Berkeley and UCLA as your reaches, with CalPoly/UCSB/Davis as matches. So you could add a couple other high matches/low reaches that you have a shot at - that is, if you’re interested. For example, some privates where you might get good merit aid. You could consider other publics but not really worth it if you’re happy going to UC.
@insanedreamer Yeah, I know how slim my chances of getting into those schools are. I don’t know if I even want to apply to Stanford or Caltech. I think if I did get into MIT it would probably be because I did well enough on the interview to overcome my relatively low stats/lack of ECs. It’s definitely a lottery ticket in my mind.
U of Oregon is part of the western undergraduate exchange so OOS students can get greatly reduced tuition through that. I also like U of Washington, which is the same thing.
For high matches/low reaches, about what percent acceptance rate would I be looking at?
@ClarinetDad16 I’ve heard that writing essays on sports is a bad idea because it’s overdone. Or is that not what you meant?
Haha yeah I know, but I’m really not even thinking about those because it’s so unlikely I’ll get in that. I guess I was thinking more like my top choices— people have been giving me the impression that CalPoly wouldn’t be “good enough”?
Don’t listen to anyone telling you that CalPoly Slo would not be “good enough” - hugely selective especially in STEM related majors. It’s a gem that fits your budget. Weigh your options based on where you get admitted. Good luck!