Not sure where I stand

College Search & Selection
1

<p>I'm a homeschooled junior. I'll definitely apply to my flagship (UNC), but other than that, I'm really unsure of my spot on the totem poll. I seem to be a very lackluster applicant compared to the majority of CC, but I know many of these are outliers. So, CC, should I bother with a few of the schools I've been thinking about? What can I consider a safety?</p>

<p>SAT: 2250
GPA: 3.9
I've only taken the AP Comp Gov test (4), but I'm set to take the biology, US history, English language, psychology, and European history tests this year. Next year, I'll be doing the calculus, art history, French, environmental science, and human geo APs.
I'm taking a full courseload through the community college's brand new program during the spring semester. If it's even relevant, I'm part of a homeschool group that functions much like a regular school, only we meet twice a week.</p>

<p>The wonderful list of ECs:
- I've tutored a girl with developmental disabilities since 9th grade. We meet every weekday morning for an hour.
- I'm fluent in ASL and currently assist a deaf college student. I take his notes, act as translator, and tutor him.
- I work 15 hours a week.
- My friend and I run a podcast that airs twice a week; it's mostly focused on current events. We used it to raise $5000 which was donated to a charity.
- I read once a week at a retirement home.
- I assist a professor with his research.</p>

<p>UChicago, Carleton, Smith, JHU, Pomona, Brown, and Vassar interest me, but it seems like I'm going to be a pretty average/mediocre name in their piles. I can't really quantify what I like so much about them, but they all seem to lean nerdy/quirky. I'm not at all picky about location; I like urban/rural equally and weather isn't an issue. No idea what I want to major in.</p>

<p>I really appreciate any advice. Thank you for reading.</p>

2

<p>

Average in those piles isn’t a bad thing! That means you have as good a shot as anyone at those schools. And probably a better chance than many because of your ECs, which are excellent.</p>

<p>Can your family afford to pay what the EFC thinks it should pay? Check out the FAFSA 4Caster. </p>

<p>Whichever schools you choose, 1) don’t graduate from high school until May of the year you expect to attend 4-year college, and take all your CC classes dual-enrolled with high school , 2) have admissions and financial safeties where you would be happy, 3) apply as early as you can get an app together for rolling admission and Early action to as many schools as possible from your list, 4) start lining up teachers and mentors for letters of recommendation.</p>

<p>PM me if you want more advice - my son’s situation was similar to yours except he knew what he wanted to major in and didn’t have anywhere near the quality of ECs. Good luck!</p>

3

<p>So why not add a few safeties? If you like Carleton and Pomona, and the ‘nerdy quirky vibe,’ then you should consider Grinnell and Macalester and Oberlin. Grinnell, like Brown, has no distribution requirements, and unlike the rest of the schools you mentioned, offers merit aid to someone with your stats.</p>

4

<p>I think you have a good chance at these schools. You don’t lack luster at all! You are unique --you will stand out in admissions. I agree to add in some similar schools like Oberlin, Grinnell, Macalester, adding Lewis & Clark, Whitman. Check out the homeschooling threads too. There’s some inspirational stories for you there and you are right on track :).</p>