Need help selecting safety schools! Ideas?

College Search & Selection
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<p>So far, I think these are some safety schools according to chances threads....George Washington Uni and Boston University, along with my state school and Case Western. I am not a big fan of Case...any other ideas that could work out well for me? I am looking for a solid school with a strong business program in an urban area.</p>

<p>Here is a copy of my stats in a chances thread. Please tell me your opinions!</p>

<p>Rank: 5/ 550 people (Very Competitive)
GPA: 4.7 (out of 4 due to weighting)
Class load: hardest possible no doubt!
ACT: 29 ( I know, I know. This is my WEAKEST point. I am seriously working my butt off this summer. I am studying daily, have resorted to help from a tutor, and hope to raise this score to a 30-31 by Sept.) </p>

<p>ECs: </p>

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<p>Editor-in-chief of School Paper - first junior to become one in a long time, I am absolutely certain that the newspaper advisor will write me a first class recommendation. I am also the first EIC to serve for two years in a row! </p>

<p>Question: Our school paper won a national award from Columbia University (silver crown) during my time this year as EIC, is something I should mention? This award is not directed to me specifically but more to our entire paper. I think it's appealing as it is an award recognizing the top few papers internationally and is from Columbia itself. </p>

<p>Founder and manager of newspaper website </p>

<p>Awarded Outstanding web-designer by IU </p>

<p>Write for other community papers as well, including our cultural one.</p>

<p>Many essay competition awards; won 1st place in state for a newspaper article I wrote. That same article won 4th place nationally at another competition (which I will not list here for security reasons as you can easily look me up) </p>

<p>Wrote an inspirational children's book on meditation - this will be published internationally (on Amazon) in approx. three weeks and is also going to be available at many local bookstores throughout the state. (this is honestly and personally one of my most special accomplishments!) </p>

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<p>History Fair 3rd Place in State/Metro scholarship Winner/ National Qualifier (Alternate) </p>

<p>History Fair Executive Director's award for Superior History </p>

<p>Internship at congressman office summer before junior year </p>

<p>Attended Illini Girls State</p>

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<p>Founder/President of an Indian community service council for students (we help out at various community festivals, represent the youth, currently planning a cultural show and a trip abroad to India)
***Currently collaborating to make this an "international student" effort meaning students of all cultures create a joint effort. </p>

<p>State Cultural Pageant winner (first runner up) and miss talent </p>

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<p>500+ volunteer service hours through hospital volunteering (the usual lol), tutoring, after school enrichment program helping for younger children, etc. etc. </p>

<p>Math Honor Society President</p>

<p>Founder and manager of MHS website (to submit service hours, updates on events, etc) </p>

<p>National Honor Society </p>

<p>French Honor Society </p>

<p>DECA state winner</p>

<p>I have several other ECs but I feel that these are my main ones and the ones that I am most proud to be involved in! However, as you can see my goal was to essentially divide my interests in three areas: writing/publishing, Politics/History, Indian Culture. Then of course, this is all accompanied by the usual honor societies and community service. </p>

<p>While I sincerely hope I can increase my ACT score by September (hopefully I am a lucky gal on Sept. 12) as I have this as my biggest commitment for the summer, I would like you to evaluate my chances for this fall!</p>

<p>Recommendations – My counselor especially told me I am her “top junior” and will receive a “stellar” recommendation, and I am certain that the same will apply to my Newspaper Advisor/English teacher who has seen megrow extensively since freshman year. Also, would it be advisable to receive some sort of letter confirming the legitimacy of my internship at the Congressman’s office? I don’t want to give off any sort of impression that it was received through connections and whatnot since it most certainly was not! </p>

<p>Thanks for your advice!</p>

2

<p>What is your UW GPA? I do think your top state schools are a good bet right now as they are financial as well as academic safeties. By the way, if you’re really worried about the ACT, have you considered the SAT? Some who do poorly on the ACT do much better on the SAT (but the reverse is true as well).</p>

3

<p>i dont really wnat to take the sat right now since ive been focusing on my studying on ACT and i dont think id have enough time to take SAT and SAT ii’s…</p>

<p>My unweighted GPA is 3.94 out of 4. Other suggestions?</p>

4

<p>Try Pitt, UM-Twin Cities, and UW-Madison. These schools primarily used formula-driven admissions, and your stats should fall in range.</p>

5

<p>Bumpp please! any other choices?</p>

6

<p>Here is a list of SAT/ACT optional schools you may want to consider if your retest doesn’t go well: [Optional</a> List | FairTest](<a href=“http://www.fairtest.org/university/optional]Optional”>ACT/SAT Optional List for Fall 2025 - Fairtest)</p>

<p>For business I would look at your state U and if you can afford OOS costs, Indiana or Ohio State.</p>

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<p>Miami University in Ohio.</p>

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<p>How much money do you and your family have for your education? Have you sat down with them and run the financial aid calculators at [FinAid</a>! Financial Aid, College Scholarships and Student Loans](<a href=“http://www.finaid.org%5DFinAid”>http://www.finaid.org) and [::</a> College Planning Made Easy | Inside Source for College Admissions Requirements](<a href=“http://www.collegeboard.com%5D::”>http://www.collegeboard.com) ? If you haven’t done that yet, do so before you go one step farther in this process. Ask your parents how much debt they are willing for you to take on, and how much time they expect you to spend in paid jobs during the school year and during vacation periods. You absolutely need to know about the money issue.</p>

<p>When you know how much money is available, you will be able to track down a financial safety (or two). Chances are that one of your home state public universities (or community colleges) will fill the bill nicely.</p>

<p>You also need to find an academic safety. This is a school that guarantees you admission based on your grades and/or test scores. Read the admissions policies at public institutions in your home state. They may have a number-only admission policy for in-state residents.</p>

<p>If your academic safety is also a financial safety, and it also offers your potential major(s) and is a place you are willing to attend if all else goes wrong, then you have found your True Safety. Apply early to get yourself in line for any goodies (preferred housing, special scholarships, preferred enrollment, etc., etc.) that they may have on offer, and then re-visit your other college applications.</p>

<p>You also should take a look at schools that are associated with the Bonner Scholars program [About</a> the Bonner Foundation](<a href=“http://www.bonner.org/]About”>http://www.bonner.org/) They like students who are committed to community service like you. I know a Bonner Scholar who got into Guilford College with a GPA, class rank, and ACT score almost exactly like yours. This student tried the ACT multiple times and never could crack 30.</p>