Need more match schools

College Search & Selection
1

I’m a rising senior and recently while going over the quite extensive list of schools I’m looking into, I realized I have way too many reach schools, a solid amount of safeties and just not that many schools that are a perfect match. I think it has to do with the fact that I really just don’t have a good idea of how strong my stats are. I was hoping someone could suggest a few schools that are still highly ranked but that I have a good chance of getting into.

Here is the list that I have so far (I’m fully aware of how many Ivys there are, I don’t plan on applying to most of those):

Boston University
Brown University
Carnegie Mellon
University of Chicago
Columbia University
Cornell University
Drexel University (safety)
Duke University
Emory University
George Washington University
University of Michigan
Northeastern University
Penn State (safety)
University of Pittsburgh
Temple University (safety)
Tufts University
Yale University
University of Pennsylvania

I live in PA, plan on going into Biochem with a possible pre-med track.
GPA: 3.8 unweighted, 4.2 weighted
APs (score in parentheses): Euro (4), APUSH (4), Bio (4), Lang (4), Calc AB (4) and senior year I’ll be taking chemistry, physics, macro, calc BC and spanish
SAT: 800 in math, 720 in CR and 790 in writing, 2310 overall; I took US History and Bio but got a 680 and 690 so definitely not good enough, planning on taking Math 2
My class rank is top 10%
ECs: Science Fair (considered a club at my school, various 2nd place awards and a scholarship), NHS (2), Spanish Honor Society (3), Future Doctor’s (president, 3), Girl Up Club (3), Key Club (2), Varsity track freshman year before I moved, JV every year since as well as one season of field hockey and cross country
Teacher rec: ok one from ap bio teacher, excellent one from euro and apush teacher, and another from the research scientists I have worked with

Other: I did my own service project overseas related to sanitation and travelled there for 2 weeks (this one always gets a big response from administrators/in interviews), various tutoring jobs, 2nd place at NHD (a history competition), I spent a summer working in a university research lab (the program was free and highly selective) and another summer at a Leadership program

I know I don’t have a lot of consistency with ECs and stuff outside of school which has to do with me moving sophomore year. I went to a private college prep school and now am at a medium sized public school.

Basically I know I don’t have the MOST competitive stats but they’re pretty decent and I can definitely do better than the safeties I have right now. Any suggestions on my application and colleges would be really helpful.

2

I’d recommend looking into the University of Maryland as a match. I think that University of Pittsburgh could definitely be considered a safety as well which you already have listed. I’d also look into UVA which is a fantastic school as well as University of Georgia. I’d also consider adding Vanderbilt to the list as they have a fantastic pre-med program. Wake Forest could be considered as well.

3

Might look at Holy Cross in MASSACHUSETTS VERY GOOD PRE-MED PROGRAM… HC has beautiful campus 1 hour from Boston.

4

Are you expecting/depending on need based or merit aid? If so can you clarify?

5

@fogcity Unfortunately my parents have been very unclear on that front. I’ve been told that money should not be a factor in my decision while at the same time I should be aiming for scholarships. I don’t think I would qualify for any need based aid but I’m still going for various scholars programs and other merit. Hope that helps a little.

6

@Nattybow2015 I’ll definitely look into those schools, thanks!

7

You need to get clearer guidelines from your parents, and be certain that you’re not eligible for need-based aid. Unless your family income is $200k or close to it, you might get some aid from your reaches. Get the info from your parents to run Net Price Calculators on Yale, Chicago, Penn, Cornell. If you don’t get need-based aid from them, you won’t from the other schools on your list.

I know that the money stuff can be touchy to talk about, but you’re getting a mixed message and need clarification. You need to get a number from your parents on what they can contribute. Running the NPCs would be a good starting point for that discussion.

8

Dickinson, Denison, Gettysburg, pitzer… Depending on the vibe you’re looking for.
Do run the npca and being results to your parents

9

Dickinson, Denison, Gettysburg, Pitzer… Depending on the vibe you’re looking for.
Do run the npc and bring results to your parents

10

Since I just mentioned U Rochester on another thread with someone of similar stats looking for match schools, I’ll mention it here too. Middle son is pre-med and entering his senior year there - loves it. We’re from PA as well and his stats were very similar to yours. It’s a fairly easy drive or a super easy flight from BWI via Southwest.

They offer both merit aid and need based aid - the latter based upon the CSS.

ETA: URoc is a medium sized heavy research private U in case you aren’t familiar with them. :wink: They’re worth a look. The video is from admissions. It’s been one of my favorites - even if my son hadn’t chosen to go there.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NiCbfSXoftI