<p>I'm a senior at a northeast prep school with a good reputation. I have a 2220 SAT, 770 US History Subject Test, a 730 on Math 2, 5 on AP Us and 4 on Calc BC. I am President of my school's Young Democrats and Mock Trial Team, and have other leadership roles. I have done theater my entire high school career, and have taken college courses at Stanford and Penn the past 2 summers. I am applying to many Ivy's, Top Universities, and Top LAC's. However, I am having trouble finding safeties other than my state university, which I do not want to attend considering I live 10 minutes away from it. What are some good safeties for me that are still pretty good and highly ranked/respected institutions? I'm looking for a more liberal atmosphere with an emphasis on the liberal arts. I prefer LAc's or Mid-Size Universities, and want to stay in the Northeast, Midwest, or California. I tend to like residential campuses more and usually schools that aren't too "fratty," although I'm open to any suggestions. I really need to find a few safeties where I'd still love to go to college! Thanks</p>
<p>Net price limit? Financial aid situation? High school courses, grades, and rank?</p>
<p>What kind of liberal arts are you interested in, or are you undecided? If undecided, what general area, like humanities, social studies, or science?</p>
<p>A safety must be affordable for certain, as well as being a certain admission.</p>
<p>There are some public LACs that are relatively inexpensive (even for out-of-state) and may be safety candidates: University of Minnesota - Morris, Truman State University, University of North Carolina - Asheville, SUNY Geneseo.</p>
<p>I’m in the top 5 of my high school, have a 3.9 UW GPA, and money is not a concern. Im interested in the social sciences and history, and am looking for a safety school that is still highly respected academically</p>
<p>I’d look to the midwestern LACs which have excellent reputations but tend to fall off the radar: Macalester, Grinnell, Kenyon, Beloit, Lawrence, Hendrix</p>
<p>LACs: Gettysburg, Kenyon, Occidental, Ohio Wesleyan, Colby, Bates. Mid-Size: University of Rochester, George Washington, Syracuse University, U Pitt.</p>
<p>On note of caution, you may want to pare down your list of “top” schools form what looks like maybe twenty to less than 10. With a 2220 and top grades/rank, you have a good shot at one or more of these schools. One thing that will help is if you demonstrate unique interest in the school and this is easier to do when you are applying to a few of them and not a basketful.</p>
<p>“I’m a senior at a northeast prep school with a good reputation.”</p>
<p>Well, what exactly does the person responsible for college-placement at your school suggest? Schools like yours normally have staff members who are really on top of this kind of thing. Or is it that you didn’t like that person’s suggestions?</p>
<p>thanks for all the replies everyone. Erin’sDad: what is a NMF? and to MuckDog, i have been trying to get my list down, but the problem is I can’t decide which top schools to not apply to. Also, my parents have the attitude of “apply to all of them and see where you get in” which is a tremendous pain in my A**. Therefore, schools such as Swarthmore, Penn, and Chicago, which I would not myself apply too, I have to fill out applications for. My giudance counselor has suggested a few schools, such as Northeastern, but I just wanted to see the opinions of others. I will def. research the midwestern LAC’s and Bates/Colby more</p>
<p>My main criteria is good class size, undergraduate focus, respected academics, and a good social life. A residential atmosphere is preferable as well, along with less “Fratty”, but i can deal with a big frat scene if necessary.</p>