Need help with college list

<p>My D has several schools on her list which are reaches and matches (but barely). She is having trouble finding similar schools which she can feel confident about. Tops on her list are Tulane and Bucknell. She likes everything about these schools but they are a reach for her. Her SAT is 1970; ACT is 29 but her gpa is 3.6 weighted and 3.3 unweighted. Her ECs are very strong and her essays and recs will also be very strong. Any suggestions? She is looking to be on either coast or in the case of Tulane in NOLA. Her list also includes Northeastern, Clark, Richmond and Dickinson but she is less than excited by any of these. If you can chance her, that would be great but suggestions to expand her list is really what she needs.</p>

<p>Liberal arts colleges and universities have important distinctions … make sure you and and your daughter are familiar with these decisions so you can be more capable of determining the “best fit” for her. </p>

<p>Also, perhaps considering schools with strong departments of interest … For example, schools such as UC Berkeley and University of Washington are often ranked high for biological related studies. </p>

<p>Take account of location, cost of living, financial aid rating/merit aid reputation … </p>

<p>Having said that, additional all-around schools you may want add to list include

  • New York University
  • University of Miami
  • Boston University
  • Georgetown University
  • Carnegie-Mellon Univ. </p>

<p>Personally, I prefer private schools. Public schools are funded by federal (government) aid and tend to have more students/less resources to invest in the individual student…</p>

<p>^You’ll be wasting money applying to Georgetown or CMU
DON’T apply to Georgetown or CMU… Sorry but she isn’t competitive there.</p>

<p>maybe Santa CLara… OR if you have some money PEPPERDINE</p>

<p>bump…</p>

<p>For Tulane, apply early and show interest. </p>

<p>What does she love about Tulane and Bucknell? That might help with suggestions.</p>

<p>What are her criteria in selecting Tulane and Bucknell? If we know what about them is attracting her, we can suggest other schools in her range with similar characteristics.</p>

<p>@M’sMom, She likes the size, school spirit, emphasis on global learning, the known reputation and “the pretty campus” at both Tulane and Bucknell. Santa Clara and U San Diego are on her list but being a Jewish student and a Christian school may not be the best fit (especially on the west coast. Schools like BC and St Johns have more of a Jewish student population, not that she is religious at all). She doesn’t want to be in the Midwest.</p>

<p>Elon and College of Charleston are both popular choices in our area and would be matches for her. Muhlenberg College might also be a fit if it’s not too small.</p>