hi,
I need help finding target schools. As an ivy hopeful, but realist, I want to make sure that I have target schools I’m passionate about to fall back on. The problem is, I really like the ivies because students at these schools are serious about academics, but also have a decent social life with other options besides just Greek life. My guidance counselor said targets would be 20-30% acceptance rate range, and she kept pushing Lehigh and Bucknell, which I have heard are super fratty (this is according to current college students who graduated from my high school).
I would be really grateful for any suggestions regarding target schools!
Lastly, some quick info about me…
4.0 GPA unweighted
1540 SAT
pretty decent extra curriculars/work experience — varsity sports, model congress, community service, etc
undecided major, but I have eliminated anything science related. Might consider econ, pre-law, business, international relations, maybe even engineering?
I prefer medium size schools (they seem to be more diverse than small NESCACs), near a city would be a plus, but I want the campus itself to be contained
thanks a million!
-meg
McGill meets many of your criteria.
Otherwise, I am wondering what is your budget and home state.
@DadTwoGirls New York, and my parents are able to pay full tuition
Georgetown
BC
Tufts - even though it’s NESCAC it’s more small university like
Case Western
Santa Clara
Hi Meg,
Certainly Cornell is an option, it’s a reasonable reach, and it has so many choices for areas of study since you seem to have lots of options.
Also, take a look at Tulane, and especially the Altman program! This may be a great fit for you depending on your possible majors. My daughter is in this program and LOVES it.
Other schools to consider: William & Mary. Northeastern (e.g. engineering).
Ken
Rochester? Wesleyan? Michigan or Maryland? seconding Emory, Tufts, NYU, BC, GW Case as matches or low reach.
You will find there are partiers at Ivy schools and serious students at non-ivies too. You just need to find your group wherever you are.
URochester
Brandeis
Wake Forest
Clark
American U
UDenver
Macalester
Occidental
Most of these are easier admits than some of the schools mentioned above (Cornell, Georgetown, Boston College, or Tufts.) Visits would be in order to see if they have they atmosphere you want.
Look at Northwestern University in Evanston, Illinois. While its regular decision acceptance rate is only 11%, its early decision acceptance rate is much higher. I think it would be a good reach school for you because it is medium-sized (21,000 students total), and is very close to the beautiful city of Chicago. It has an awesome campus that isn’t too fratty and is secluded from the rest of the city. Student tend to be smart and hard-working, but laid back and like to attend sports games, especially football.