need help finding more colleges to add to my list

College Search & Selection
1

Hi CC!

I need help coming up with more colleges to add to my list of schools I want to apply to.

I really like Brown, which would be a reach of course, so I’d appreciate any help finding other schools similar to Brown that are less selective (ie match/safety)

Some info about me:

4.0 GPA (unweighted)
Rank: 3rd in my class
PSAT: 1420/1520
SAT: 1530 (790 Math, 740 Reading/Writing)
Chem SAT: 760
Math2 SAT: scores not released yet

Advanced classes taken by graduation: 6 Honors, 8 APs

ECs: decent given what’s available at my school (sports, academic clubs, tutoring, community service)

Work experience: Camp counselor for children with special needs

Intended college major: UNDECIDED.

Non-academic college preferences:
-Location: Northeast
-Size: I prefer medium to small, but would be willing to consider some large schools
-I’m not very big on Greek life (it’s fine if there is Greek life at a school, but it shouldn’t dominate the social scene)

Please help me compile a list of reach, target, and safety schools.
Thank you!!!

2

What areas of study interest you? Science, art, math, history, social work and programs, humanities? Your academic profile is stunning and will get you into most colleges you apply to. At this point, the most important question is: where do you find your passion? That will help narrow down schools.

3

If part of your attraction to Brown lies in their flexible curriculum, look into Hamilton (has some nonresidential Greek activity) and, if female, Smith.



Wesleyan and Connecticut College would be other schools to consider.

4

@undecidedd2018

You have a great shot at Brown to be honest. I would add Dartmouth, Swarthmore, Amherst, Williams, Vassar, Emory, Tufts, BC, Brandies.


Good luck.

5

I have no idea what “like Brown” means, other than perhaps medium size with a nice urban campus. Can you be more specific?

You might want to do some university visits, and try to get a sense regarding what you like and what you don’t like.

Finances are also something to think about. Do you know what you can afford?

6

Agree with above advice. You should definitely be looking at Ivy, NESCAC, and Patriot colleges and universities. The top NESCACs all dumped fraternities decades ago.

7

@Undecided2018, Amherst has an open curriculum, a no loan policy, and, like some schools, is not located in very rural area. Amherst is a member of the 5 college consortium.https://www.fivecolleges.edu/
The town of Amherst is a great college town. Northampton (Smith) is a short bus ride away. https://www.thrillist.com/travel/nation/best-small-towns-in-america

Vassar has a few graduation requirements, but it is very similar to Brown.
http://catalogarchive.vassar.edu/201213/academic-information/degrees-and-courses-of-study/requirements-for-the-degree-of-bachelor-of-arts/freshmen-writing-seminar-quantitative-course-and-foreign-language-requirement.html

Vassar #17http://www.architecturendesign.net/the-most-beautiful-college-campuses-in-america/

8

Middletown (Wesleyan) and Providence have very similar demographic patterns, if that’s one of the things that attracts you. Easy access to off-campus pubs, all sorts of restaurants, coffee houses etc…

9

thanks for the advice everyone!!

to be more specific:

i like brown’s flexible open curriculum, non-competitive atmosphere, campus feel, medium size, diversity

i am interested in math, english, and history; I might consider studying International Relations, pre-Law, Political Science, Government, and Business/Economics.

10

Hi! I have very similar criteria as you. Brown is my top choice. I’m looking with schools (preferably in the Northeast) with a nice campus near an urban area, medium size, little Greek life, diversity, and academic flexibility. Some schools I have on my list (and a couple I don’t) that I think you should look at are Georgetown, Yale (high reach but hey, you never know), Tufts, William and Mary, Johns Hopkins, American University, and Bryn Mawr (not sure if you’re a girl or a guy but I figured I’d pitch a women’s school anyway). If you’re willing to look at other parts of the country but if you are, you should look at WUSTL (I’m really in love with this one).

11

“i like brown’s flexible open curriculum, non-competitive atmosphere, campus feel, medium size, diversity”



This also sounds like U Rochester. Would be a match for you.

12

I’m going to second Rochester. D has similar stats and, before visiting Rochester, Brown was her dream school. She wound up applying to only one school—Rochester, and is a rising junior there now. While I wouldn’t necessarily recommend her one-school application strategy, she’s never regretted using her ED “golden ticket” at Rochester instead of going for “reachier” schools like Brown, Tufts, NU, Rice, and Vandy, which were all schools that she would have applied to if ED at Rochester had not worked out. I think it would be a good match for you, @undecidedd2018

13

Based on post #8, particularly when considered by the expressed size preference, Rochester was the school I thought of as well.

14

Seconding URochester, Amherst, Hamilton, Wesleyan.