<p>Not the typical CCer you see around here =)</p>
<p>African-American Female, 1st generation American, Wichita, KS
GPA: 3.61 (UW), 4.10 (W)
Rank: Top 16% (Question about this. It would be more accurate for me to mark Top Quarter on stuff wouldn't it? =)
SAT: 1780 (Definetely re-taking bleh. Though I wonder if it was a bad fluke when I look at the SAT-ACT conversion table)
SAT II's: Biology-E: 720, Literature: 650, Math I: 610 (May re-take Math and Literature)
ACT: 31 <a href="Re-taking%20in%20Oct.%20and%20shooting%20for%20a%2032-33">31.25</a></p>
<p>My college list at the moment is:
UChicago
Rice U
Carleton College
Macalester College
Knox College</p>
<p>I'm thinking about majoring in Biology or Psychology. And I don't mind a good English department either. And I keep changing my mind on places but I feel like I need to get settled down with 8-9 schools. Appreciate the help =)</p>
<p>Ah, forgot to mention that I'm taking IB courses.</p>
<p>Test Scores:</p>
<p>AP: US History: 3 (bleh, sophomore slump), AP Art History: May 2009
IB: Math Studies SL: 7, Physics SL: 4
HL: Biology, World Literature, Spanish
SL: Psychology</p>
<p>What are some of your likes/dislikes as far as prospective schools? From your list I assume you are leaning towards smaller LAC type schools? Are there specific geographic areas you are limited to consider?</p>
<p>Well as far as geography goes, I'm mainly looking in the Midwest but I wouldn't mind 2 or 3 colleges in the West or New England. And yes, I am kind of leaning toward small liberal arts schools. Like a population under 10,000 is a nice fit for me.</p>
<p>If you are visiting Carleton check out St. Olaf as well. Check its thread here--students seem to be so genuinely warm and deeply in love with the place, in most cases. St. Olaf is looking for students like you, and your SATs might not be as much of an issue, though St O is quite competitive as well. Carleton (as well as others on this/your list) is VERY hard to get into. St. Olaf is a mile from Carleton, same town, it's a no-brainer at least to drive around its campus, check out its rather new student center and spanking new science building</p>
<p>You might want to consider Smith College. It has great academics, wonderful mentoring, and a strong sense of community. Smith is part of a 5-college consortium (with Amherst, Hampshire, Mt. Holyoke and Univ Mass). You can take classes at any, and there is a free shuttle bus to get to classes and activities at the other campuses. </p>
<p>Also, Smith no longer requires SAT or ACT scores for US applicants.</p>
<p>Doesn't Math II require knowledge of precalc/calculus? That's the reason I didn't take it in the first place since I just started precalc this year (The only reason I took a Math subject test in the first place is because a lot of places recommend taking one). And my score there would be worse than both my previous Math scores ^^;</p>
<p>Thanks for the suggestions everyone. I'm actually thinking of Oberlin since they sent me an app for their multicultural visit program and I like what I've seen. Anyone else have any other suggestions?</p>
<p>Look at Vanderbilt, Emory, Pomona for low reaches. I imagine you have your state university as a financial safety, but are finances a big concern? What are your top five criteria?</p>
<p>Well for finances, I guess I'd like a place that offers grants/scholarships and work-studys more so than loans since my family doesn't make a lot of money (about $30,000 - $35,000 a year). And five criteria? Well I guess:</p>
<p>1.) Undergrad population is under 10,000 and the student to faculty ratio is 20:1. I don't know. Just a small school focused on undergraduates basically.
2.) Students have opportunities to concentrate on their majors but they can also pursue outside interests. Also, like I said above, the schools have good English, Psychology, and Biology departments and students have an above average admission into graduate school. And in general, rigorous academics.
3.) Well students... I guess I want everyone to come from different backgrounds. Students who are ready to learn but not so thrown into their work and like to have fun. And just an additional, not-so-serious perk, FOOTBALL =). I don't really care about the quality, I just like watching the game lol.</p>
<p>That's all I can think of right now lol</p>
<p>And midwesterner, Pomona as a low-reach? I was considering it for QuestBridge but I kind of doubt I'll get it lol. Maybe I'm misunderstanding because I get confused between low and high reach sometimes.</p>
<p>Just wondering what anyone else thinks. I gave my teachers QuestBridge items today but I would still like suggestions in case that doesn't work out =)</p>
<p>Raveflare, Pomona has taken an exceptional student from our HS in each of the last three years. These were not the valedictorian/perfect SAT/student council presidents, but more like the gal who captained the math team even though she was not the top competitor, and one boy who could write so well that you laughed and cried in the same essay. That's why I think they might be very interested in you. You should apply to a large number of schools in order to compare offers, unless Questbridge comes through.</p>
<p>Well I have to turn in my college folder/information to my college adviser on Tuesday and I have formed my college list into these and I'd like some last minute guidance: (* means QuestBridge schools and I hope I become a finalist)</p>
<p>UChicago (I don't think I can do this for QuestBridge because I asked my Spanish and English teacher for recs instead of my Biology teacher)
Rice University*
Carleton College
Pomona College*
Knox College (safety)
Macalester College (match/safety?)
Oberlin College</p>
<p>-- Don't sweat your SAT's. Your ACT is good and might get stronger. That is all you need for test scores.</p>
<p>-- I'd consider Mac a match, rather than a match-safety, for you. </p>
<p>-- Pomona is a reasonable reach, but definitely not a "low" one. Their ACT range is 29-34 with an overall 16% admission rate, which means they are getting plenty of applicants with scores like yours. It is probably the toughest "get" on your list.</p>
<p>-- Estimating conservatively, I would say Oberlin is a high-match and the rest speculative.</p>
<p>-- You might consider adding at least one more school at the probability level of Mac or better. St. Olaf was a good suggestion. Lawrence might be another place to look. If you want to go outside the midwest, try Whitman or the University of Puget Sound (safety).</p>