Ok…then ditch the smaller schools I suggested. You say metro NY area…I take they to mean NYC. Is that correct?
How far is she willing to travel? And how long duration for travel? You know…some schools are more easily accessible and less travel time via plane than closer ones are via car.
Ok…let me amend my suggestions. Taking away the smaller schools.
Boston College
University of Connecticut
University of New Hampshire
Is DC too far away?
I am thinking that you might want to add one or two of the SUNY’s.
UVM looks like it is about 6 hours away for you. To me this is driveable, although I would not do a round trip in a day. Burlington is a really nice small city. I think that your daughter would have a very good chance at a presidential merit scholarship with her stats. It has good programs in all of “biology, psychology, exercise science, health”.
I also am wondering about something in Massachusetts, where there are of course many to choose from. Ruling out the LACs and anything in downtown Boston, still leaves several choices such as U.Mass Amherst. Perhaps Wellesley College is too small.
I think the OP needs to clarify how far is too far…and if this is driving or flying.
If flying is in the mix, there are plenty of choices.
I’m thinking UVM might fit the bill.
What about Vanderbilt?
Johns Hopkins
American University
Maryland- College Park
Syracuse
Lafayette
Penn State
These three are rural, but midsized and lots of school spirit/ action. She might visit at least one of them and see what she thinks:
Colgate
Dartmouth
Bucknell
Finally, she might like Cornell. Although it is rural, Ithaca is a busy college town and there are tons of students around!
Johns Hopkins sounds like a great fit for her. You can visit Johns Hopkins, Maryland, and American in one long weekend trip.
@TomSrOfBoston @momofsenior1 @oldfort the OP asked for schools within driving distance to NY.
Yes…and a number of us have asked…how far can that drive be? No answer.
They have schools on their list right now that are a bit of a long drive (Michigan)…or really impossible to drive (UCLA).
The DC and Philly area schools are a train ride away. They already have UMD on their list. So it would seem that the DC schools are within range.
@TheGreyKing in my opinion…Penn State is in the boondocks.
Thank you all for your ideas/comments. To try to answer some of your questions – I think I would like to add a few schools to her list that are 3-5 hour drive/train from the metro NY area. We are not taking off schools that are a plane ride away as she has liked them – just getting cold feet and I want to make sure we have some additional schools in case she decides she does not want to be a plane ride away.
@TheGreyKing thanks for ideas - we actually toured Johns Hopkins last November and she initially liked it; however, she recently decided not to apply. She thinks atmosphere may be too competitive/intense for her and was not totally comfortable with the area. Colgate we considered but too isolated as is Bucknell. It is very hard to find the right balance for her. I think American could be one to add - I hear they have a very good honors program.
I believe the DC area schools listed, as well as the Philly area schools listed are within your travel distance criteria.
So are Cornell, Colgate, and a few others listed.
Be sure to “demonstrate interest” at American. Interview if you can, and/or find other ways of communicating that she is considering it seriously. Some strong candidates get into their honors program, which is well-regarded. Other strong candidates get wait-listed, with people speculating that those candidates did not demonstrate adequate interest, so American may have thought they were being treated as a safety school.
American has a great setting in a really nice part of D.C. and lots of school spirit, as well as its honors program and cool internship opportunities. And the fact that caught my family’s attention during our visit: they have a dog that will listen as you practice your public speaking and interviewing skills! What could be better than that? ?
Start with instate schools within a few hours from home.
Not all schools require writing essays.
Have her apply to some rolling admission schools, early acceptances might boost her confidence.
See if the English teacher will help the students with essay writing in class.
I think it’s better if she narrows her list of schools now, before spending money on applications and then later deciding they are too far away.
Maybe she’d like Temple or University of Pittsburgh. Also U Delaware
I don’t think going to UCLA for psychology or exercise science is necessary. She can get a great education at numerous schools closer to home.
What about Brandeis? Right size and right outside of Boston. Its a studious place but I think less intense than Johns Hopkins. It lacks the rah rah school spirit but I think works on all the other metrics.
@gallentjill - yes, have thought about Brandeis - agree that it does not fit all criteria though may take a look when we go see Tufts. Thank you.
@Proudpatriot Tufts and Tulane are on the OP’s list…
Is Boston College totally OFF the radar? I know it’s a Catholic college, but it is VERY ecumenical and does not push religious beliefs in any way.
It fits all of her metrics…unless schools with religious affiliations are completely off her radar.
My kid went to Santa Clara, same religious affiliation. We are not Catholic, and this was never a problem as student of many faiths were welcome and attended.
Brandeis only has 3,635 students.
Sports are a non-starter
Not sure it would be a good match.