<p>I'm a rising senior and my test scores are good but definitely are not Ivy League caliber but my other stats put me in a better position than other with my test scores. I'm interested in PolySci, Economics, and possibly Pre-Law and would like to find somewhere with a good Program in that. I'd like to be on either the East Coast (Maine to North Carolina) or the far West Coast (CA, OR, WA), but I wouldn't mind recommendations from elsewhere, I've looked a bit into DC and am very interested in the city and more specific recommendations there would be great. I'd like to be urban but would like Suburban also (just no rural). I'd also like a more liberal feel, very conservative areas of the South would not appeal to me. And I am very much interested in financial aid.</p>
<p>So far I've looked into and have been very interested in Duke, William and Mary, and Georgetown and liked them all (UNC is the only school I've visited so far that I will never go to). My stats are as follows:</p>
<p>SAT 2130
700 Reading
740 Math
690 Writing (8)</p>
<p>ACT 33
32 Eng
34 Math
33 Reading
32 Science</p>
<p>SAT II:
800 Math 2
770 US History</p>
<p>AP:
5 World History (10th)
5 Calc BC (10th)
Expecting 5 APUSH (11th)
Expecting 4/5 Lang (11th)
Expecting 4/5 Both Econs (11th)</p>
<p>EC: StuCo President
School Ambassadors President
Varsity Chess Captain 3 year running (3rd Best Team in St., Top 10 Individual)
Intern for State Senate Campaign
Won School Student of the Year my Junior Year.
Very Involved with Local School Board
Speech and Debate</p>
<p>School Profile:
Top 30 High School in US
GPA: 4.0
Rank: 1/50
Most Courseload (All Honors) is Pre-Set by School but I got two years ahead to take Calc BC Sophomore year and math at the community college (Calc 3, Linear Algebra, [DiffyQ and Stats are next year]) ever since.
School usually send one student to the Ivy League each year and then a few to lower top schools such as Duke, many go to state flagships with extremely good scholarship (usually full ride).</p>
<p>I'd really like to get some recommendations that are Matches/ Low Reaches for when I apply this fall. If you want any more information please ask! Thanks Again!</p>
<p>You could get into Pitt or Temple easily, with excellent odds for getting a nice financial package from either. I’d say that Gabelli/Fordham, Lehigh, NYU, BC, et al are solid matches on the East Coast. If you can swing the out-of-state costs for the UCs, then Berkeley and UCLA are reaches, but others would be matches or even safes. I’d also look into CalPoly-SLO. You would be a match there since you’re not applying to the toughest STEM departments. I think the reaches you listed are reasonable, provided they’re backed up by other colleges, like the ones I’ve already mentioned, plus American, GWU, and University of Richmond. </p>
<p>With financial aid, I’d hope to spend less $8,000 each year. Usually financial aid calculators put me a little bit above that. I’m a resident of Arizona. I’m definitely applying to Arizona State and University of Arizona as safeties. I’m interested in both as options but probably mathematical economics more likely.</p>
<p>woogzmama, I’ve always liked the UC’s but I just don’t feel I can afford them coming from OOS (If only I lived 200 miles to the west). I’ve thought about NYU, BC, GW, and American and are definitely on my list of schools to consider applying to. I’ll need to look more into Lehigh, Fordham, Richmond, and CalPoly (I never considered it because I’ve always thought of it for its STEAM departments exclusively.)</p>
<p>With all due respect that makes ZERO sense as the ACT scores and the more important MR part of the SAT are … identical. People continue to massively overrate the value of the ACT scores! Either way, sending the SAT might be necessary to show the great SAT Subject test scores. </p>
<p>Moving on, I would highly recommend to look at a couple of schools that around 200-300 miles to the West. In terms of superior programs in Political Sciences, Economics and Pre-:Law, I would suggest stopping just one hour before hitting the ocean in LA. Your safeties in Arizone should be sufficent, but you can always add a couple of the UC system schools for your highly likely school. Obviously, the financial aid you desire will be lacking at most public schools. Hence my recommendation --if that was not clear from the Google Map references-- to give a closer look at the Claremont Consortium school. Your profile, include geographical origin, places you in their preferred ballpark. Both financial aid and strength of academics in your listed subject are hard to beat. </p>
<p>PS With sound practice, you might want to work on that W score. It is BY FAR the easiest to improve and everything indicates that you should be able to increase it by a fair margin. Silly as it sounds, an improvement there might broaden your horizon at more schools that offer very generous financial aid. </p>
<p>Might look at Holy Cross-top25 LAC THAT IS A SMALLER VERSION OF GtOWN but easier to get into. HC offers good combination of academics and athletics and has one of the best alumni networks. Holy Cross also meets 100% demonstrated financial aid.</p>
<p>Have you checked whether ASU and UA will give enough financial aid and scholarships to bring the net price down to $8,000 or less (check the net price calculators on their web sites)?</p>
<p>For mathematical economics, you may want to check schools’ catalogs for the following:</p>
<ul>
<li>How mathematical their intermediate micro/macro economics and econometrics courses are, based on their prerequisites. Most schools list a semester or year of frosh calculus; schools with more math orientation list multivariable calculus, linear algebra, and/or differential equations. Some schools offer both heavy math and light math options.</li>
<li>Whether advanced mathematical economics electives are available.</li>
<li>How extensive the math and statistics offerings are at the school.</li>
</ul>
<p>Your are correct, for your financial position, forget UC don’t even apply. Minimum EFC+23k. How much off are you from the financial calculators? If you can’t pay your EFC then you are in a tough position.even at ‘meets needs’ schools and will have to aim lower for the guaranteed scholarships.</p>
<p>This idea that Duke is lesser than the lesser Ivies is just batty to me (and I’m far from a Duke fan). If Duke really is easier to get in to than the lesser Ivies, then that’s a value opportunity, as Duke (and UChicago and Northwestern) grads perform as well as the grads of the lesser Ivies by virtually every metric.</p>
<p>The OP might have used the term Ivy League caliber as a proxy for the most selective schools in the country. Or preferred to present a more humble and realistic picture of his prospects. A bit different from the typical WAMC post. </p>
<p>xiggi: Thanks for the recommendation! I know a few people who will be attending the Consortium in the fall but didn’t look much into it until you recommended it. I’m fairly certain I’m going to be applying the Claremont-McKenna after doing a bit of research. </p>
<p>I have done some research on ASU and U of A with their financial and scholarship calculators in addition to simply overhearing the good scholarship and aid opportunities I’ve heard from many of my friends with similar stats and financial situations that are definitely in my price range. I’d rather not stay in state but I’m glad that it’s always there as an excellent safety!</p>
<p>I was using Ivy League as a Proxy for the top tier schools in the US to include not just the Ivy League but the likes of Stanford, Chicago, Duke, Williams etc.</p>
<p>89thguy, it is always a good idea to build your list from the bottom up. It is a blessing to have state schools that could work out as it provides much relief in the Fall. Attacking the stack of matches and reaches becomes easier when you know your safety school is in the bag. Your local school will also start sending you invitations to apply for scholarships or Honors’ programs that are not always listed. </p>
<p>Cast a wide net, but only include schools you’d love to attend and are able to afford with a reasonable financial effort. </p>