Pick out some matches and safeties for me plz (reverse chance me)

College Search & Selection
1

I’m going to be a junior in high school in Texas. It maybe too early, but I really need help finding good safety and match schools. I have way too many reaches (ivies and top tier schools like Vanderbilt).

Stats

GPA: 4.26 W/ 3.8 UW (estimate, school doesn’t give UW unless you ask)

Grades: 3 B+s freshman year first semester. 89 each semester of sophomore year

Classes: All honors classes and 1 AP freshman year and 2 Sophomore year. Junior and senior year I am doing the IB diploma and 4 other AP classes.

Rank: 58/1640 (top 3.5%)-will def go up

APs: APHUG (4) 89/95 (class grade), WHAP (4) 100/100, APAH (4) 97/98

Tests: -SAT 2: World history (790), will take bio, physics, and math 2 next year -SAT: predicted 1540 - might take ACT

ECs
President of Varsity Debate Team
Junior class Vice President
President and founder of Latin American Students Association
President and founder of Save The Children Club
French honor society
National Honor Society
Junior World Affairs Council

Volunteer Work
-Perot Museum-teach exhibits and help visitors (75 hrs)
-Domestic Violence Shelter-Lead children in craft activities and volunteer in resale shop (will have 80hrs)
-Teen Court-Represent Teens who have plead guilty to misdemeanors (50 hrs)
Internship at Dallas Arboretum- do office work and help run arboretum behind the scenes
-Dallas Museum of Art- Teach children about art

Awards:
top 10% school award
Responsibility school award
Alternate for UIL State Competition
4th at UIL Debate districts

Hooks: Hispanic female, low income

I really like the east coast and south (except for Texas). Good scientific research opportunities are very important to me. GREAT financial aid and scholarships are very important. Would be nice if the school had a work hard and play hard vibe. Majors I’m thinking about are biochemistry, microbiology, and international relations.

2

Just letting you know that this might fit a bit better in the “College Search and Selection” thread :slight_smile:

It’s hard to know what’s safety and reach without your standardized test scores, but so far, I’d encourage you to look at Elon University, James Madison University, Tulane, and University of Michigan.

3

University of Michigan is not a safety.

4

@twogirls Oh for sure - I’d consider it a match, along with Tulane. Elon and James Madison seem more like safteys considering the OP’s stats. But again, it’s hard to say without test scores.

5

I just noticed that there are no test scores- only a projected SAT. The OP needs to have definitive scores. In my opinion U of Michigan is a reach even if it’s a match on paper.

6

Colgate.

7

@Sofiau709, If Colgate is of interest and you don’t mind the isolation, then you may like Hamilton. .
If Cornell is on your list, it’s easy add Colgate and Hamilton to a visit.

8

I second the Colgate suggestion - although it is not a safety as such. But it is reputed to be “work hard, play hard” and offers D1 sports at magnificent facilities within a relatively large LAC (2900 students) on one of the most beautiful and cohesive campuses in the US.

Yes, check it out alongside any visits to Cornell and Hamilton, the latter being less than a 30 minute drive to the northeast.

Go 'gate!

9

Lehigh and Bucknell might also suit you.

Regarding isolation, both Colgate and Hamilton (College) are nicely offset from the Eastern megalopolis, and offer nearby attractions of their own. This would seem to be among the attractive aspects of these potential choices, at least for certain students.

10

If you are low income, I would start with a looking at schools that you could afford to attend. Look at both need-based aid and merit scholarships.

Have you looked into QuestBridge?

Wellesley only does need-based aid (no merit) but their Albright Institute would perfect for your interest in International Relations. They also offer an interdepartmental major in Biochemistry.

11

@merc81, Isolated was the description that was used by a Hamilton student in the recent addition of the Princeton Review. You often reference the Princeton Review, so I assume the information presented is accurate.

@Sofiau709 Regarding a school that has a work hard and play hard vibe.

Source: Princeton Review

12

Fellow Texan here. I would like to second the post recommending Wellesley. Wellesley has excellent science programs and is completley co-curricular with MIT. Plus, they have amazing International Relations. Wellesley places a big emphasis on leadership positions, of which you have many. It seems like you would be a good fit.

13

Schools that claim to cover 100% of demonstrated financial need:
http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/college-search-selection/2004213-pick-out-some-matches-and-safeties-for-me-plz-reverse-chance-me.html#latest
The ones that may be in your match/target zone include:
Bates
Bryn Mawr (women only)
Holy Cross
Colby
Colorado College
Davidson
F&M
Hamilton
Kenyon
Lafayette
Macalester
Mt. Holyoke (women only)
Trinity (CT)
URichmond
Wake Forest

If you want to stay in the South, then Davidson, Richmond, or Wake might be good alternatives to Vanderbilt.

For less selective (lower match/safety) schools that offer big merit scholarships, check out this list:
http://automaticfulltuition.yolasite.com/

14

Regarding Hamilton College and Clinton, I’ve visited the area and loved the charming village and local shops.