Recommend Colleges?

College Search & Selection
1

I am currently a junior and I’m trying to compile a good college list but I feel it is too reach heavy. I need more matches.
Colleges I’m considering:
UMD-CP (definitely first choice as of now)
Rutgers (in-state)
Penn State
Northeastern
UF
U miami
NYU
BU

My family can spend around 45k a year but my dad is willing to spend more if he deems a college is “worth it”
Female
NJ
Highly Ranked Public High School
Major: Comp Sci or Buisness (im leaning more toward comp sci atm)

SAT: 1980 (620 CR, 610 W, 750 M) Will take again on the 2/20 makeup
GPA: 3.71 UW, 3.82 W

ECs:
-NHS
-Tri-M
-200+ volunteer hours (Best Buddies, Local Youth Council, Public Library)
-Silver Service volunteer service award
-Fundraising chair of said Local Youth Council
-Supervisor for library volunteer group
-Treasurer of Class Council
-Stage Crew Drama Club for 9th and 10th grade and Lead Role in 11th
-Choir for 4 years
-Tutoring middle schoolers
-Vice President of SAVE club (environmental club)
-Playing Guitar and Piano for 3+ years

Any advice is helpful and thank you in advance.

2

They all look like matches but your stats would make merit aid unlikely.

3

It doesn’t look too reach heavy to me.

4

Agree, many schools look to be academic matches. However, if you are looking for financial matches only Rutgers would probably fall within your father’s guidelines. Perhaps add a SUNY school or two as they are reasonable for OOS (ex. SUNY Binghamton, or if you want a large school perhaps SUNY Buffalo). Tulane might be another idea (the school is often generous with merit aid) although it will still likely fall above your financial parameters.

5

You are well matched for most of your current list. Colleges with acceptance rates above 30% typically make room for the majority of fully qualified students who apply. As an additional option to consider, the University of Rochester has programs that are well aligned with your interests.

6

I don’t think it’s too reach-heavy.
Most of those schools probably wouldn’t fit in your budget, though. I hope your father will see those schools as “worth it”, if he has the money, since they’re great schools.

7

RPI - you’re likely to get good merit aid as they want to attract female students to balance out their male-heavy ratio. Nerdy environment, if that’s your cup of tea. Very strong CS program, good business too.