Need some help, narrowing down...

College Search & Selection
1

<p>It being August before my senior year, I thought I should start to narrow down the colleges I have before me, on my "potential schools" list. I've given my stats, intended major, then my list. Thanks for any input =] </p>

<p>My stats...</p>

<p>GPA - 98.7 Weighted, not sure unweighted, though all grades are As/A-'s
H.S. Junior
SAT I - CR 670, Math 700, Writing 780
SAT II - Math I 740, Bio 690, World History 690, (will take lit/US history)</p>

<p>Female/Caucasian/Middle Class
Attend private all-girls in NY
Ranked in top 1-5%, won’t know until Sept ’07</p>

<p>Classes:
**Entered HS w/ credits based on accelerated middle school program. This would, under normal circumstances, be beneficial—however—due to the strict scheduling and general small size of my school, I was occasionally forced to take non-honors courses, though they were with the grade subsequent to my own. I have taken/registered for all A.P classes offered by school (other than Spanish, due to Latin track) and highest level of language.</p>

<p>9th: Honors English II, Honors Global I, Geometry Honors, Latin I, Biology, Communications, Freshman Computing, Religion I, Phys.EdI</p>

<p>10th: Honors English II, Honors Global II, Algebra II, Latin II, Chemistry Honors, Art Portfolio, Religion II, Phys.EdII</p>

<p>11th: Honors English III, AP U.S.History, Pre-Calculus, Latin III, Physics, Web Design, Religion III, Phys.EdIII</p>

<p>12th (will take): A.P Literature, Govt/Econ, A.P Calculus, A.P Biology, Web Design II, Religion IV, Phys.EdIV</p>

<p>Co-Curricular:
Student Council- Freshman VP, Sophomore Exec. Board President, Junior Exec. Board President, just elected “Big Four” StuCo Secretary, headed various committees/instituted Co-Curricular Management Program/part of Global Outreach Committee</p>

<p>Asian Club- Member (9), Secretary (10), President (11)</p>

<p>Newspaper- Reporter (9), Soph.Editor (10), Features Editor (11-12)</p>

<p>Book Club- Member (9), President (10-12)</p>

<p>Political Round Table- Member (9-10), VP (11), Pres. (12)</p>

<p>Senior Run Team (Visit Senior Citizens)- (9-12)</p>

<p>Student Recruitment Team/Peer Mentor (9-12)</p>

<p>Guidance Center Intern (10), Campus Ministry Intern (11)
Teams/Competitions: Math League (MVP Award-10), Science Olympiad, Moody’s Math Challenge, ExploraVision Competition, etc.</p>

<p>Math Tutor- (9-12)</p>

<p>Cashier @ local produce market (May ’05 – present) 15/hrs week</p>

<p>Volunteer @ Community School for children w/ special needs</p>

<p>Summer:
Summer internship 2005 – w/ Local Congressman (mostly worked w/ center for immigration and visas)
Summer internship 2006 – w/ Senator (worked on campaign for re-election)</p>

<p>Honors List since 9th grade, received Congressional Women in History Award, Gold Medals in a variety of subjects for highest average (including subjects taken in advanced grade level), won/participated in various essay contests, Kodak Leadership Award, among others that I don’t think are pertinent to a chances thread =]</p>

<h2>Possible National Merit Scholarship semi finalist - will know for sure in Fall of 2007</h2>

<h2>Major: Some combination of Political Science/Statistics or Quantitative Reasoning—maybe major/minor, or double major. Will major in Actuarial Sciences if available at the school (though I know it is rare). </h2>

<p>THE LIST:
Arcadia
Barnard
Columbia
Dickinson
Drew
Fordham
Haverford
Lafayette
Manhattan
Swarthmore
Vassar
Trinity
Wesleyan
Yale
SUNY New Paltz
SUNY Geneseo
CUNY Honors College @ Hunter</p>

<hr>

2

<p>Well, Haveford and Columbia are definitely not the same.... You need to do more research.</p>

<p>Group your colleges into reach schools, 50-50 schools, and 75%-90% schools. With your reach schools, ask yourself, which can I knock out? You have to find ways to differentiate the schools? </p>

<p><a href="http://www.collegeboard.com/prof/counselors/csearch/1a.html?print=true%5B/url%5D"&gt;http://www.collegeboard.com/prof/counselors/csearch/1a.html?print=true&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p>

<p>Also come up with a list of questions. You need to be more specific about what you want in order to differentiate the schools?</p>

<p>Would this be a nice neighborhood if I'm not guaranteed on-campus housing for 4 years?
Does the school encourage social cliques, which will limit personal growth?
Does it have a cultural environment?
Interesting lectures w/ guest speakers?
Assistance w/ internships, interviews, and placement
What transportation is there if you don't have a car?
Assistance in getting into grad school?
How does college prepare students to make transition from high school senior to college freshman? Freshman orientation? What support stystems/activities are there?
Freshman attrition?
Is it safe?</p>

<p>These are the more specific questions you should ask to try to differentiate the schools. That way you can narrow down your list.</p>

3

<p>Columbia has a Statistics-Economics major for undergrads and an actuarial science program for graduates. It is listed on the SOA’s list of schools that prepare students to become actuaries under both advanced undergraduate studies and graduate studies. There is a specific department that helps students find internships, which are important if you want to become an actuary.</p>

4

<p>Another 5 year old thread…</p>