I know it’s late in the game to ask but I just found out about CC. I’ve already applied to some schools, target, safety and reach (12 total), but this year seems so nuts for admissions that I’m starting to think I should have applied to way more because schools have received so many applications. Our community was completely remote for the last half of last year and for this year so far so our GCs were kind of useless. There were no scheduled appointments for any of us to plan and discuss college searches. I did dozens of virtual visits and open houses. If I missed some good options, I was thinking maybe the NACAC list (I’ve been reading the forums all afternoon and learned about that) might have some openings after May 3rd if there are other schools I might want to try. I’m only attached to a few criteria - on campus housing available, school under 8000 students, must be in the Northeast, NY or PA, must have History as a major, must be coed. I’d like an atmosphere that is casual, welcoming and diverse not schools that are cut-throat and “exclusive/exclusionary”. I’m one of those people that will spend hours and hours a day on homework and studying, have a small group of close friends right now that pre-pandemic would get together for all night D&D gaming, and want to be able to be at a school where professors are open, approachable and willing to offer feedback.
Stats:
School doesn’t rank but probably in the top 10%
16 Honors classes; 1 AP class. Our school doesn’t offer a big variety and they often conflict with other required courses (AP Sciences overlap with Honors language classes, AP English overlaps with Fine Arts/Music, etc).
Only 4 B’s during the last 4 years (in Honors classes sophomore year), the rest have all been A’s.
GPA 4.2 W, they don’t provide UW
EC’s - swim (all year long except a few weeks in April and August), concert band (1st chair), marching band, drama club
Volunteering - hundreds of hours at soup kitchens, church, non-profit museums, non-profit parks, musical performances for veterans organizations
Our community didn’t have SAT/ACT offered this year. Would have had to travel hours to get to one and that wasn’t possible for health reasons.
Honors and awards - multiple “student of the month” from different school departments over the years, 5 volunteer service awards, a few other miscellaneous awards
I didn’t want to say which schools I already applied to because I don’t want the put-downs and “you won’t get in there” comments if someone deems my choices of reach schools to be inappropriate like I have seen so many other people get ripped apart on and threads with people ranting about kids who apply to colleges without scores - some of us couldn’t take the test so it isn’t that we are lazy, unmotivated or unwilling - we are unable to because of it being cancelled, not offered locally anymore, and being high risk for death if we get sick.
I already do have options for schools, been accepted to 3 of the 12 so far and would go them if none of the other schools come through. Financial aid would be great but isn’t a deal breaker for the right school although I know it does matter to the need-aware schools when they are weighing who to accept and reject.
I would like to think you would have had one or more of Hamilton, Bucknell, Lafayette or Smith on your list. Colgate ad Rochester also seem reasonable, if not strictly LACs.
Depending on your school’s perceived rigor and your LoRs, I would guess the above schools could be somewhere between obvious matches and moderate reaches.
Doesn’t have to be “strictly” an LAC - but mostly an LAC - and Smith wouldn’t be an option for me unless they become coed Colgate is one of my dream schools. I did apply there but figure I will be waitlisted or outright rejected since they got so many outstanding applications this year. I didn’t apply anywhere ED because I was afraid I might change my mind.
I forgot to mention my LoRs - thanks for reminding met! A few of my teachers sent me the LoRs they submitted. They made my mom cry when she read them (everything makes her cry when other people say nice things about me). And I made sure to get extra LoRs for schools that allowed them, including an old supervisor where I volunteered for 8 years pre-pandemic. I also made sure to complete any and every optional essay or communication from schools when they said “if you want to provide additional optional information”.
What about Marist as a target/safety school? They are a NY LAC. Your stats seem a little higher than their 2024 average profile but if you are looking for options they may be one to check. If the https://www.nacacnet.org/news--publications/Research/CollegeOpenings/ shows schools that interest you are still accepting applications now, you might still be able to apply to a few more…although Marist ended on 3/1.
University of Saint Joseph in Connecticut has rolling admissions as far as I know. You could check them out as an alternative too.
I would research schools in NACAC if you are unsure of the schools you already applied to…and once more folks give you their insight here. Or…like you said, you’d be okay with one of the three you already were accepted to so maybe more searching isn’t going to do anything more than confuse your choices.
If you already have acceptances don’t stress about the other schools. You’ve gotten into three schools! Celebrate the successes. You only need one acceptance and you already have three. Congrats!
@Steelleopard
I’m sorry you feel like people would put you down for having applied to certain schools! Everyone should apply to some reach schools. You never know when the college may need a 1st chair band member, swimmer, or active volunteer. Admission could be more about the college’s needs rounding out their class than your stats. Congrats on your 3 acceptances!
Yeah - it’s kind of a thing I am hyper-sensitive to. My father (not in my life for years now) used to tell me that I’m “stupid” so I don’t have a lot of patience for overly judgy people. I guess I know that kind of is counter-intuitive when posting a chance me but that’s why I thought a reverse chance me was a safer ask.
I feel like there are a TON of schools where you would be admitted and thrive! I have no special knowledge, but Bard, Skidmore, maybe Vassar, as well as schools other posters have mentioned come to mind. Don’t sweat it! You already have a place to go, and will probably have several (at least!) good choices. You are good!
Thank you all for the feedback. I feel a little better about my applications now because I see many of them mentioned in your lists. And yes, you’re right, I’m lucky that I have three accepts at my safeties. If I don’t get any other accepts, I have already narrowed the 3 down to 2 with the best financial aid and strongest programs.
As you know, the NE is full of LACs. Your stats sound competitive for admission at many of them. Lafayette, Franklin & Marshall, Dickinson, Bucknell, Gettysburg, Skidmore, Marist, Bard, St. Lawrence, Conn College, Trinity, Muhlenberg. For some that are likely reaches: Colgate, Bates, Bowdoin, Hamilton, Amherst, Colby, Middlebury, Vassar, Williams.
This is just off the top of my head, there are many, many more.
Williams is an amazing school but definitely a reach for me without SAT/ACT. I used to go up there for non-college swim meets and only took a couple of hours each way. The Conn campus was great when I visited there last February, cold but great and only a 2 hour drive. I wish I had a hook at a college somewhere. The only hook I had though was at one of my safety schools because my grandparents went there so I’m a legacy.
Colgate is one of my dream schools. I did apply there but figure I will be waitlisted or outright rejected since they got so many outstanding applications this year. I didn’t apply anywhere ED because I was afraid I might change my mind.