Need help sorting out my Matches/Safeties

College Search & Selection
1

<p>I'm a rising senior and I've been really trying to get everything together this summer in order for this whole application process to go smoothly and as quickly as possible. By no means am I completely set on my list of colleges to apply to this fall but as of now, I have a vague idea but I'm not too sure which would be my reach/match/safeties.</p>

<ul>
<li>4.0 GPA (weighted), probably a 3.83 (unweighted)</li>
<li>Ranked in the top 15%, 60 out of about 420</li>
<li>Female, IL Resident</li>
<li>ACT: 29, SAT: 1890, plan to take the SAT IIs this fall</li>
<li>Will have taken 4 APs by the time I graduate</li>
<li>AP English Language score: 3</li>
<li>ECs include: 3 years on the Competitive Dance/Pom Team, National Honors Society, Vice President of Spanish National Honors Society, Link Crew (upperclassmen guiding freshmen), Student Council</li>
</ul>

<p>I'm interested in everything from English (1st choice - probably a concentration in Creative Writing), Comparative Literature, possibly Journalism (photo), Graphic Design, and Psychology (with a small interest in becoming a psychiatrist... but that might just be my parents talking)
As well as a school that has an amazing arts program so I can continue to take Dance classes</p>

<p>My list includes:
- Northwestern (which I definitely see as a reach)
- University of Illinois, Champaign-Urbana
- University of Wisconsin, Madison
- University of Iowa
- Loyola University Chicago
- Illinois Wesleyan</p>

<p>Other schools I liked (and here's where I'm unsure where my matches/safeties would be. I think I can clearly spot the reaches):
- Duke
- Butler
- UPenn
- UC Berkeley
- UCLA
- Brown
- UMichigan
- Elon
- BostonU</p>

<p>If anyone can help me sort out both these list, that would definitely be appreciated.
Feel free to comment/give input on any of these choices. I'm really not set on anything and I'm definitely searching for some insight on these schools.</p>

2

<p>^^^
sorry to bump.</p>

3

<p>In my opinion Butler is a low match/safety, Elon is the same, Boston U is a little more of a match.</p>

4

<p>I agree w/ Erin’s Dad: Elon, BU: match…Brown, NU, UPenn, Berkley, UMich are all reaches. look at their average scores/gpa and see that you’ll be disappointed if that’s most of your list. Try some other east coast schools like UDelaware. It’s beautiful. Skip the name schools and delve deeper. I’m not familiar with schools in IL, and those might be terrific fits, but consider trying another part of the country for 4 yrs!</p>

5

<p>Thanks! Both of your suggestions are very helpful.</p>

6

<p>Northwestern (which I definitely see as a reach)

  • University of Illinois, Champaign-Urbana-match since in state
  • University of Wisconsin, Madison-reach
  • University of Iowa -match
  • Loyola University Chicago-match
  • Illinois Wesleyan-match</p>

<p>D1 goes to IWU and D2 goes to Loyola. Completely different atmosheres. IWU is small and in a regional city versus a very urban feel to Loyola. Both D’s love there school and couldn’t see themselves at their sisters school. One visit should easily split these schools. I find the 3 Big Ten schools similar. Madison is the bigger city with more than just a campus, but all of the three towns revolve around the university. Again, completed different feel to them than IWU of Loyola. If you are leaning toward a true college town with big time sports and school spirit, the big ten schools fit.</p>