Safety and Match schools...

Hi!

Trying to make sure I have a good list for upcoming applications. I am interested in science and math (possible computer science/math/computational bio major?). 35 composite ACT, 1500 SAT (most likely not sending). My GPA is a 95%, my school does not weight or use a 4.0 scale. I’ve taken 4 APs so far (5 on World History, waiting on AP Calc BC, AP Chemistry, and APUSH from this year) and I’m signed up to take AP Microeconomics, AP Macroeconomics, AP English, AP Computer Science, AP Stats, and AP Physics next year, along with a college-level Calc 3/Linear Algebra course offered by my school through an advanced program. I’ve been involved in my school’s Key Club (secretary 11th, president 12th), nutritional research internship 50 hours, junior class treasurer, a member of senior class council, involved in music program and other music education outside of school, member of math and Spanish honor society, and I frequently tutor outside of school in science, math, and Spanish.

Currently thinking…
Reaches: Harvard, Swarthmore, Yale, Tufts, Brown, Pomona
High Matches: Vassar, Wesleyan
Matches: Oberlin, RPI, Hamilton
Safeties: University of Rochester, Case Western

I am from New York and financial aid is (fortunately) not a deciding factor for me.

I am thinking that I need to cut down on my reaches and I really need to add more matches and safeties. Any and all suggestions are appreciated. Thank you!

I was thinking about Reed as well, possibly a match? Not totally sure.

Based on the ambiance, you might like Bard. Union is quite different in that regard, but could be a good academic fit.

Hi! Thanks for replying. Do you think that Bard and Union would be matches or more like safety schools? @gardenstategal

I don’t think you have any true safeties listed. Case Western and Rochester have about a 30% admit rate. Besides academics what other things might you look for in a school? Location? Greek Life? Sports scene? Size? etc

Thanks for replying! I agree, I was worried because I felt as though my safety schools weren’t really safe enough. I would prefer a medium or small school without Greek life and without a major sports scene. I’d like to be in the Northeast, but have also been interested in a few schools on the west coast. @Dolemite

You have nearly a 100% chance of getting accepted to one or more of the schools on your list as long as you put some effort into it. Pick one from each group to target.

I’d put those two as low matches. If I were a betting person, I think you’d get in to both, but they are small enough that it’s not a slam dunk… Bard has a couple of unusual ways to apply early (can’t remember if they were binding.) A good strategy might be to find one or two schools that report results early (without being binding ). If you had one acceptance, and you would be happy there, it won’t matter how reachy the rest is. Agree though that this list has few true safeties.

Some others to look at:

UMass-Amherst
Hampshire
Muhlenberg
Skidmore
UVM

Schools like Tufts and Case Western take interest heavily in consideration so you’ll have to show them the love. If finances truly aren’t an issue then you can use ED to further your chances. I’d like your chances for ED at Tufts or Vassar. I think Vassar has ED 2 also if you ED 1 elsewhere and you really like the school.

Marist as a true safety and Northeastern as a match.

Case Western is not a safety. It declined many people with your stats if you don’t show interest because they want to keep their yield up.

do you have any hooks - legacy, URM etc.? If not, getting into one of your reaches is going to be a lottery (most reaches tend to have some randomness), anyway for computer science, bio, you have the stats to consider MIT and CMU, which along with Stanford, are three of the best CS programs. So I’d swap out Yale with Princeton (another superb CS and science school), Brown with MIT, Vassar with CMU. Also, again no hook, swap Pomona with Cal Tech or Harvey Mudd. These schools don’t look as much into hooks as Pomona.

I do have legacy at Harvard, Stanford, and Princeton. I’ve been looking into CMU and am really starting to consider it! Thank you for the advice, I’ll certainly take it into account. @theloniusmonk

Bearing in mind your potential majors, you might be interested in learning about Hamilton’s successes in math and computer science competitions:

https://www.hamilton.edu/news/story/mathletics-team-freezes-out-competition-in-snow-bowl

https://www.hamilton.edu/news/story/comp-sci-department-hosts-college-computing-conference

https://cs.hamilton.edu/ccscne/

When researching computational biology, cross-reference with bioinformatics, which refers to a similar or identical line of study. Either of these concepts would be more likely to be present in course elements across disciplines, rather than in a designated major.

@frizzle68, maybe step back for a second as neither Hamilton, Vassar or Wesleyan are “gimme” matches without significant demonstrated interest. As an ORM, your stats are exactly what they need to be to have a solid chance as they will all publish avg. ACT’s of 33 this year, so make sure you show the love.

That said, Oberlin and RPI are solidly in the match bucket.

Regarding legacy, not certain about Harvard or Stanford, but I do know that Princeton doesn’t tip the scale for legacy - you would be in a better spot if your legacies were at Cornell or Penn.

The Princeton Review lists a sampling of schools that support strong math programs, which may suggest additional colleges of interest:



http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/discussion/comment/20695620#Comment_20695620

I’ve done visits at all 3 and really liked them. What else do you suggest to show demonstrated interest? I do have legacy at Cornell as well, but I don’t think it’s a great fit for me. Thank you for your help! @Chembiodad

@frizzle68, they are all great schools with Hamilton and Wesleyan having a longer history as strong science schools, and Hamilton having the largest percentage of math majors amongst the three at 10% of the students.

So separate from likely areas of study - what type of school are looking for - large or small, urban vs suburban vs rural, diverse (ethnically, socioeconomically, politically) or a more homogeneous feel?

Regarding demonstrated interest, first make sure you are interviewing at each if possible, then follow-up with the regional admissions dean if possible (visit to your school, in your area, etc)

And most importantly, demonstrate through visits, interviews, and applications why they should pick you - what are you going to bring to the school that everyone will benefit from?

Though I’ve often suggested Vassar for its generally intellectual atmosphere, it might be a school that you could consider eliminating based on your particular academic interests.