Safety for top ten percent student

College Search & Selection
1

What would be a good safety school for me? I am looking for a four year university in or near a big city. I have a 3.98 unweighted GPA and 4.34 weighted. I am taking seven IB classes this year and took seven last year as well. On the SAT I got a 1510 (1600 scale) and on the ACT a 33 composite with a 25 on the essay.

To me, for it to be truly safe, I would like a school with over 50 percent acceptance.

2

You need to mention what you can afford and state of residence to get much feedback.

3

US News has acceptance rates.

http://colleges.usnews.rankingsandreviews.com/best-colleges/rankings/national-universities
For ~50% start at rank 50 and go up.

How about GWU in Washington, DC?

4

I am applying to GWU, but I am just looking for something a little more certain than 40% acceptance. That link is really helpful though, thanks!

5

Safety school needs to include schools you can afford and would be happy to attend.

6

Intended major? Any other preferences? Finances not an issue?

7

Piggybacking #5:

  • Intended major (or list a few you're considering)?
  • Setting: rural, urban or suburban?
  • Any weather you really want to avoid?
  • Do you want a big party and/or Greek scene?
  • Do you care about school size, class sizes, etc.?
  • How much has your family said they'll pay per year?
8

ok, well, use the things mentioned in 5 and 6 to begin exploring your preferences. You can use those to evaluate schools.

As to what constitutes a potential safety:

Basically, i think you can begin to view a school as a safety if your GPA and test scores are at or above the 75th percentile and the admit is at least 50% and you can afford to attend.

Be careful when considering state schools:

  • If you are in-state, your chances get a boost.
  • If you are out-of-state, your chances are diminished somewhat.

At almost all public schools, the in-state acceptance rate is higher than the OOS rate.

9

A safety needs to be a school you can easily afford and easily get into with good academics and a strong peer group.

University of Alabama should be both an academic and financial safety. It’s a very good school. It’s a state flagship and ranked among the top 50 public universities. You will automatically qualify for the Presidential Scholarship, which will award you four years of full tuition plus $2500/year.

The 75h percentile ACT at Alabama is 31, so you will have plenty of intellectual peers from around the country to learn and grow with.

Tuscaloosa has a population of nearly 100,000. It’s 50 miles away from Birmingham, AL, an urban center.

Very nice! You sound like a solid applicant for many top schools and will get a lot of IB credit going in.

As your SAT score is > 1450 and your UW GPA > 3.5, you will get a full scholarship to University of Alabama. I believe admissions is rolling, so you can apply now.

Alabama has a 51% acceptance rate.

10

this was so helpful thank you so much! I will definitely look into this some more