<p>So I've got a list of 12 schools that I'm applying to at the moment, and I really want to whittle it down to less than 10.
Here's the list:
Duke
University of Chicago
Ohio State University
Princeton
Georgetown
Dartmouth
Cornell
Case Western
Johns Hopkins
University of Michigan
University of Vermont
Miami (Ohio)</p>
<p>From this list, I'm certain about UChicago (EA), Georgetown (EA), Duke, OSU (my parents are making me-- safety), and Princeton (one can dream, no?). I figured I'd apply to UVermont for the heck of it-- through the VIP app it costs me $0 and I don't have to write another essay.
After that, I'm a little lost. The main problem is that I won't have a chance to visit any of the schools except for the in state schools (OH).
Since this honestly isn't a thinly veiled chances thread, I'll just say what I'm looking for in a college:
-Medium sized (~6,000 more or less)
-"intellectual" environment (people care about academics, are slightly nerdy, etc.)
-active/involved student body
-solid in sciences (biochem in particular) and international relations
-not extremely liberal
-generally friendly student body
--not cutthroat/hyper-competitive </p>
<p>I'd really appreciate it if you guys could tell me more about the schools that I'm unsure on. Which schools would you cut? Are there any that you would add?
Thanks.</p>
<p>One school that comes to mind that fits perfectly to what you are looking for is WUStl. Of those I would cut Dartmouth, Michigan, Georgetown and Chicago but thats just me.</p>
<p>If you're looking for no cutthroat, eliminate Hopkins (especially for the sciences). It has a reputation for being brutal.
Michigan has 20,000 students, so that is certainly more than 6,000. So, I'd think you'd want to cut it.
Dartmouth sounds better for you than Cornell, so you can eliminate that Ivy. You probably don't need another reach (even though I don't know your stats, I can safely assume some of these are reaches, as they are reaches for everyone).
I think that gives you about 9, which is, unless I'm mistaken, less than 10. Good luck with admissions! =)</p>
<p>Only Michigan, Cornell and Miami (OH) are significantly larger than medium size (more than 6000 students). I think you have more than enough reach schools. Therefore I will cut Cornell and Michigan based on the size.</p>
<p>Duke and Dartmouth do not seem slightly nerdy to me. Hopkins does have a cut throat reputation. Are you sure that you can afford all of these places? That is a consideration. Case Western fits, and is good on aid, so it may be a good one to keep. If there are no financial issues, you don't really need four safeties (assuming Case is pretty much a safety for you). I agree that Rice sounds like a great place for you. U Rochester would be another good school, but not so hard on admissions. Chicago sounds like a really amazing fit.</p>
<p>Thanks, this is really helpful. I'm definitely going to cut Miami and U of M off my list. Cornell is probably going off the list as well...
I'm still unsure about Hopkins.</p>
<p>antsofthesky-- I'm curious- why do you say cut Georgetown, Dartmouth, and Chicago? Georgetown and Chicago are my two early action schools... I'm pretty set on them.</p>
<p>I've thought about Rice, but I don't know too much about it. I hate to sound ridiculously picky, but I'm not a fan of hot weather (i like having distinct seasons).</p>
<p>Michigan offers rolling admissions. Get in there now, and you won't need any safeties. With the current list though:</p>
<p>Duke: Keep
University of Chicago: Cut, too intense, competitive, not the friendliest
Ohio State University: Keep if you have to
Princeton: Keep
Georgetown: Absolutely keep
Dartmouth: Keep
Cornell: Keep
Case Western: Keep
Johns Hopkins: Cut, know to be competitive and not the friendliest place
University of Michigan: Keep, apply NOW, even if your app is worse
University of Vermont: Cut. Too big, very liberal environment you might not like
Miami (Ohio): Keep</p>
<p>I actually would add WashU and Northwestern and probably cut Cornell.</p>
<p>I would have to disagree with the suggestion to cut U of Chicago. Actually, I think that it could be a perfect fit for you. My child is currently a third year there and loves it. She finds the academics to be stimulating without being uber competitive. In fact, she has commented that students don't tend to compare grades with each other or even discuss them. It is more about the excitement of learning. She finds the faculty and other students to be extremely supportive and students actually study together a lot and help each other out. The range of students is wide as it would be at most schools. She has made many friends and the range of student activities and things to do both on campus and in the city of Chicago are phenomenal. She had considered Johns Hopkins but turned it down in favor of Chicago and is very happy that she did, although Hopkins is also an excellent school, but Baltimore lacks the excitement of a city like Chicago. Furthermore, the campus at Chicago is gorgeous, particularly if you like gothic architecture reminiscent of Oxford, Cambridge or Yale.</p>
<p>Yeah OSU is my financial safety-- my parents started FREAKING out the day the house decided not to pass the bailout plan (1st one) and gave me a long talk about how I needed to apply to OSU just in case my college savings account (which is through wachovia) gets wiped out, etc. They've calmed down a bit, but they still want me to apply to be prepared for the worst case scenario. </p>
<p>I was definitely going to drop U of M, but now I can't decide!! ahhh!</p>
<p>newenglandparent- i'm keeping U of Chicago for sure; I visited and LOVED the architecture.</p>
<p>slipper1234-- do you mean WUSTL? B/c soo many people have told me to look there...</p>
<p>Yeah, WashU should be on your list. Seriously appy to Michigan now! I wrote my app in one night. I got in with a scholarship into the honors college, its totally stat driven. Get in now then you can dump your safeties. Totally apply to Dartmouth- spectacular financial aid and the best undergrad education anywhere except maybe princeton.</p>
<p>According to my dad's friend, who works at Georgetown, it's great for IR +poli sci, but rather worthless if you want to focus exclusively on sciences. That's just his opinion, tho. </p>
<p>I still think you should apply EA :) it seems to be a great school -- it's the dream school of a lot of my friends. I'm thinking of applying as well, but not quite sure...</p>