Rising senior, good list?

College Search & Selection
1

<p>Top 10% of class in high school in NJ (400ish people)
GPA: 3.98 UW (4.3 for A+), 4.50 W (5.3 for A+) (pretty sure it's still considered a 4.0 and 5.0 scale, but not too sure)</p>

<p>SAT:
First sitting - 1480/2130 (680 CR/800 M/650 W)
Second sitting - 1460/2260 (700/760/800)
Superscore - 1500/2300 (700/800/800)
PSAT: 204 (commended, notified BC and Northwestern)
ACT: took in June, not sure of score. Anywhere from 30-34
Senior year schedule:
Physics H
English 4A
AP Spanish
Gym
AP Econ
AP Environmental
AP Calc BC
Independent study: portfolio of newspaper stories I'm going to write</p>

<p>ECs:
- Newspaper: Feature editor (10, 11, 12), copy editor (9)
- Key club: editor (12), member (9, 10, 11)
- Spanish Honor Society: Co-president (12), member (11)
- NHS member (11, 12)
- Spring track (10, 11, 12)
- Winter track (11, 12)
- Jobs:
- Gym supervising (10, 11, 12)
- Umpiring softball (9, 10, 11, 12)
- Tutoring math (started this year, hopefully continuing and more consistent next year)
- might work at the library next year, probably instead of gym supervising and umpiring
- doing some volunteering this summer, maybe set up and direct a drive for Soles4Souls. Could definitely use some help/advice on good things to do this summer</p>

<p>So far my list is:</p>

<p>Northwestern
UPenn
Georgetown
Cornell
Cal
UCLA
UVa
Claremont McKenna
BC
UNC-CH
UMich</p>

<p>I won't be applying to all of these, but definitely NU, GTown, BC, Mich. Still need to get to visit some of them or look at their websites in-depth. </p>

<p>It looks like I need some safeties, or at least one or two that seem to be similar to these. My ideal school is a medium/large school in a nice town or near a nice city (BC, Northwestern). Is George Washington a safety for me?</p>

<p>Thanks! Oh, and I'm a prospective economics major and also want to study math/statistics and I think two languages (Spanish and Italian/German).</p>

2

<p>Many on your list are pricey, and some even not genereous in fin-aid. How much can your family afford? Have you talked to your parents and run through the fin-aid calculator? The only good investment is the one you can afford. Same with college admission. That said, I’d suggest your state schools as safety.</p>

3

<p>Oops, should’ve said that. Price is a non-issue. Also I’m from NJ and have 0 desire to go to Rutgers. Would UW-Madison be a safety?</p>

4

<p>I’d say you have a pretty good shot at UW-Madison. You could check out UIUC as well. I think you have a good shot at most of these schools, but that doesn’t really help much. I bet you’ll get into BC, and GWU could work as a safety.</p>

<p>Just wondering, why are you interested in CMC? It’s the only LAC on your list. It’s very strong in economics, but are you interested in any other small schools?</p>

5

<p>Well I don’t think I am really interested in other small schools, as I visited Bucknell and hated it. The thing about CMC is that it’s with the other Claremont colleges, in a nice town, strong in my major, has good study abroad, and near (35 miles I believe) from LA. If there are other small schools that seem like I would like, shoot me the names and I’ll check them out.</p>

6

<p>If price is a non-issue, do you love any one school enough to apply ED?</p>

<p>Watch out about treating GWU as a safety. They love to be loved, and will reject high stats applicants who look like they’re using GUW as a safety. Tour, interview, and write your “Why GW?” essay about things that attract you about the school, not about wanting to be in DC.</p>

7

<p>I have visited already and actually have a few good reasons for wanting to go to GWU.</p>

<p>I’m visiting Northwestern in July, and if I like that, that will be my ED school. I sitll have to look at all the admissions deadlines for my schools…first thing after school gets out (Wednesday) so I can plan my visits accordingly.</p>

8

<p>GW is a low match, but not a safety. The Naviance scattergram from local HS shows very unpredictable results.</p>

<p>How about BU, Northeastern, and American as safeties? Wisconsin should be a safety as well.</p>

9

<p>Also, see this thread.
<a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/college-search-selection/881237-ivy-caliber-safeties-matches-condensed-advice.html[/url]”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/college-search-selection/881237-ivy-caliber-safeties-matches-condensed-advice.html&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;