Biracial International student (half East Asian, half American), have lived in Chicago, Middle East, and Japan
35 ACT single sitting
4.12 GPA
Subject Tests: 800 US History, 780 Literature, 770 Math 2
Took four AP exams this year but haven’t gotten scores yet (US History, Lang, Calc AB, French)
AP World History- 4
Extracurriculars:
Debate Team- captain 2 years, varsity debater, all-star in league
Top 32 international public policy written debate competition
Human rights club- leader 2 years
School literary magazine- leader 2 years
Speech Team won Gold in Persuasive Speech 2 years
Community Art club- leader 3 years
Forensics- 2nd Place Extemporaneous Speech
TEDx talk at a local university on prostitution in the middle east
Took a summer course in philosophy
Principal oboe in Regional Band, 3 years
2nd oboist in community orchestra, 1 year
Filmed a short documentary about women’s rights in japan
Community Service:
Doing art projects with people in the community with mental disabilities (with my community art club)
Jobs/Internships:
Summer Internship at local human rights organization
Teach English twice a week to two students
Summer camp counselor
Reach:
Harvard
Yale
Princeton
Brown
Penn
UChicago
Swarthmore
Amherst
Williams
Match:
Wellesley
Grinnell
Reed
Safety:
Macalester
…I really don’t know!
My international background has led me to see a lot of world issues and poverty first hand which is my main motivator in my academics. However, I haven’t actually made much impact on my community addressing these issues…(my excuse would be that I don’t speak enough of the local language to truly become a part of and impact the local community) but I instead have focused on developing my skills as a speaker and writer in high school. My goal is to explore the deeper reasons behind global issues like oppression and poverty, maybe through a Philosophy or Political Science major. I’m worried that this lack of community service would seem like laziness to colleges and that my extracurriculars in general don’t stand out enough…
what do you guys think? Are my reach schools too far out of reach? I also REALLY need help figuring out match/safety schools.
I’d like to go to a smaller college with a nerdy, intellectual campus vibe. Preferably close to a big city. I need financial aid as well.
Honestly, I don’t think anyone would look at your extracurriculars and think you didn’t do enough. You have done far more than most in terms of being a very involved, accomplished teen
Have you run the online net price calculators for these colleges?
Your list isn’t realistic unless you can afford to attend at least one school that is almost certain to admit you.
Macalester is likely, but probably not a sure-fire safety. Again, have you run its NPC? Its sticker price is over $60K.
New College of Florida is a good small college that seems to have the nerdy, intellectual vibe you want. It’s a bit less selective than Macalester, with a much lower sticker price and merit scholarships for out-of-state students.
https://www.ncf.edu/admissions/cost-and-aid/scholarships/out-of-state-freshmen/
Reed is a reach IMO (stats only count for 25% of your admission per a former knowledgeable poster). Lewis and Clark would be a good safety if you can afford it (you’d probably get a half tuition scholarship and potentially a full tuition). Carleton would be a good match/reach (high nerd factor). Maybe Beloit?
I wouldn’t call Macalester a safety either, but it’s probably a match. What about Oberlin, Wesleyan? For safeties, look at CTCL schools. Also, I see five quite different ivies on your reach list. Why those schools specifically?
Great profile, Macalester is a match. You’re going to have trouble finding small private schools that are safeties. Because you are such a strong candidate, and because any school that you would think is a safety, would likely believe that they would be unable to get you and may not want to waste a spot on you. Also, a school that would be a safety for you, wouldn’t likely have quote that intellectual vibe like UChicago, Swarthmore or Reed.
A few suggestions: Add more matches like Oberlin, Rochester, Richmond, Brandeis, American etc.
Consider other women’s colleges such as Bryn Mawr or Mt Holyoke.
I assume given all of the reaches that you will apply to some option that restricts your ability to apply early action to private safeties that offer it, but if that’s not the case, look for one of those that give you an answer by Dec 15th. Beloit is such a school. I think that Tulane is too. If you get accepted early, you have a safety.
Agree that Midwest CTCL schools would be safeties, take some time to research schools like Earlham, Lawrence, Knox – all quirky, diverse student body-- good merit and non binding EA would mean a few acceptances by mid-Dec.
Grinnell and Macalester would be matches, need to show real interest to maximize acceptance chances.
Run the NPC (net price calculator) to see what the financial aid picture looks like at several schools. If your family cannot afford the EFC (expected family contribution), then you will need to focus on merit awards to afford college. Get a good handle on finances, and then you can refine your list more effectively.
From a previous thread, I’m now thinking about St.Olaf, Hampshire, and Bryn Mawr as possible safety schools.
I prefer a smaller college with a nerdy/intellectual vibe, ideally near a big city. I need financial aid, <$50k/year. Small private school with awesome financial aid?
Previous thread: http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/college-search-selection/1902055-realistic-college-list-high-test-scores-not-much-volunteering-community-service.html#latest
Why did you just create an identical thread?
I actually think that you look pretty strong.
But you have too many reaches. Try to whittle them down. You are going to have to do your research. Go to the library and check out some good college guides. Really go for fit.
Go to the CDS of each school. Look at where you fall on the metrics. If you are in the 75th % then that’s great- look to see if they offer merit monies for high stats.
LAC’s will find you attractive as an ORM more so than bigger research universities. Also, see about gender break downs. Applying to schools that need women can be to your advantage.
A lot will depend on those essays. Polish them but don’t allow others to interfere with your voice coming clearly through.
If you need a lot of aid then you have to really be a strong contender for the most selective which meet need or apply as a very high stats student in a less selective school.
Use your geographical location to your advantage- a school that wants to attract students from your area.
@usualhopeful ahh sorry I just wanted more opinions so I made another one
How much aid do you need?
Have read that Mt. Holyoke has a very strong international/global studies program. But it’s not near a big city. Bryn Mawr is very close to Philly and it’s possible to take classes at Penn. Did you also check out Swatthmore?
Grinnell looks like a good fit for you. They have very good fin aid and merit. But it’s not close to a big city.
Check out Rice- but it’s a reach. They have great fin aid and merit. Houston’s cultural center is in its back door.
The matches are trickier to figure out for you.
You really need to get a handle on what you can afford. Remember that a safety school also has to be a financial safety.
@ClarinetDad16 @goingnutsmom My family can only afford about $12000 a year.
In the future, just “bump” the first thread to bring it to the top.
Sometimes mods merge threads, so one of them might see this and do that.
Might be really difficult to find a school that will fund that much of your education as an international student.
What is your plan B if you are admitted to one of these schools but the cost is say $25,000 - $30,000 annually?
Where does she say that she is applying as an international student?
@ClarinetDad16 I’m pretty sure that I actually don’t count as an international applicant because I have US citizenship. Plan B… wow, I don’t have one. I guess loans?
@usualhopeful sorry! I guess it’s obvious I’m totally new to this site.
@goingnutsmom thank you for all your advice! I’m pretty certain I will add Bryn Mawr to my list now. Yeah, I’m aware Grinnell is not near a big city but I think it’s a worthy sacrifice for their financial aid. I’ll definitely check out Rice as well, I’m just a bit scared of the south! haha. I’m worried that if I apply to a less selective school for their aid, they would recognize that they’re just my safety, and not accept me. How do I prevent this from happening?
You’re a maybe. That’s not bad. But it’s up to you to make the right impression in your apps and supps. To do that, you need to know what your targets like. A college guide helps sort schools. But you need to dig into what the colleges themselves share.
“My international background has led me to see a lot of world issues and poverty first hand…” I’d be careful about using that line in your app. A lot of kids with some Intl experience say something like that. Maybe think how to rework it. The idea is show, not just tell.
Your internship is good.
Are you living abroad now, since you mention a language barrier?