<p>Yeah, that's what I've heard, it's kind of just a safety to have, but I may change it to Brandeis...</p>
<p>BUMP, any other ideas?</p>
<p>Your best safeties...try looking at Arcadia, Colby, or Dickinson. If you're not into the smaller liberal arts school then your best safety is definently Suffolk University in Boston.</p>
<p>I'd try Tufts moreso than Brandeis, and also, Tufts addmissions are unpredictable, don't assume that your SAT's will push you off the table. </p>
<p>For reaches, Swarthmore would be my first choice, but there are many for you to choose from:</p>
<p>Brown
UPenn
NYU
Johns Hopkins
Georgetown
Carnegie Mellon
William and Mary
Colgate
Vassar
etc...</p>
<p>A good match for you may be University of Richmond, just give it a look.</p>
<p>^ Wow, thanks, albeit, I don't think I have even the slightest chance at those reaches. I do appreciate the safeties and matches though, any other suggestions?</p>
<p>Thanks!</p>
<p>Any more ideas?</p>
<p>Thanks!</p>
<p>~Ben</p>
<p>Ben:
You will inspire people to write more if you put out more information about yourself and perhaps comment on your views about some match schools and reaches that appeal to you...you are more than your stats, but readers know zilch about your inclinations and dreams. so which schools look like fits to you at this moment? we don't hold you to anything...</p>
<p>Oh, I mentioned that in the first thing I thought. GW looks to be my first choice, and I'll be applying ED because of it. Politics are my passion, so I will want to study Poli Sci/International Relations, and then get into the government first perhaps in DC and maybe involved in some international diplomacy projects. I also love people, meeting people and talking to people, as debate it my true passion in High School, where I can use my voice, which is quite good, typical newscaster/radio news voice, and talk about politics at the same time. I want a medium-large school where I can meet a lot of intellectual people and hold a decent conversation. BC is my other top choice, as it's in Boston, which I love, has a beautiful campus, and, being Catholic, is a Jesuit institution, which is a nice bonus. My other schools: American (as a backup for GW in D.C.), BU (backup for BC in Boston), Northeastern (just a safety in general) are all solid schools that I'd go to in case I don't get into GW or BC. However, I want one other school that matches me like GW, so I have more than 2 schools that I'm really dying to attend. Hope that helps.</p>
<p>~Ben</p>
<p>If you don't end up in DC..sounds like you are not worried about GW's famously high tuition? ...Do they meet financial aide needs fully? you might look in capitol cities of states if you want to intern in government places. University of Richmond has a nice vibe and a leadership school now..also has links to state gov't and not far from DC. It is pretty tough to get in, need good SAT IIs as well as all round stats, but great personal instruction there on a pretty campus with a chaplain who is very ecumenical although it is largely a Protestant student body. Mary Washington in Fredericksburg is quite a bargain and looks like a private school..seven bucks each way on the train to DC for interning. They also are anxious to attract fifty percent qualified males and you fit the bill in all respects. Very Northern Virginian and eclectic student body with some NY and NJ and other states also. Sounds like you already like your top schools very much so best of luck!</p>
<p>^ Thanks, I appreciate the input! :)</p>
<p>Well, I'm pretty much set then...</p>
<p>BC
BU
GW
Northeastern
American
Richmond</p>
<p>Good list?</p>
<p>Wonderful, but where is your safety? American and Northeastern are not safeties for you, I'd throw in say, Catholic University of America in Washington D.C., in the middle of all the action, 3,000 undergrad, and 82% acceptance rate. And you said you wanted a catholic school ;)</p>
<p>Can't go wrong...if not, then I'd stick with Suffolk, your best safety in Boston.</p>
<p>As Smokey said, if not you, then who ;)</p>
<p>Richmond is a Reach, not a match. You might get in on your ACT though. Mary Washington might be a match and is also less expensive even out of state...give it a look, too. May I point out that your Critical Reading is higher than your other scores and I think you could benefit from one more try at testing..your choice which test. Unless you are sure you have done your level best. The Math section can improve with practice, particularly on the SAT where things are tricky sometimes rather than hard. You are not in a position for merit money at your favorite schools, so be careful to apply to schools that meet financial aide requirements. Have you given your best state schools your attention? Seems like coming down to Middle Atlantic schools is not your first inclination, but if so, give St. Mary's of MD a look as well for state school with private school atmosphere and instruction in small classes. It is isolated but a place where you will learn a great deal. Your scores I think are the middle of their pool, and they have a strong student body from the burbs of Baltimore and DC that might not be that different than what you would find in Boston or DC.</p>
<p>^ I would, but I'm not submitting my SAT's to those schools. I'm taking my ACT's again in September just to see, and hopefully they'll go up to a 31-32. I've been trying to find a safety, I'll look at Catholic again, but I don't know...and Suffolk, they have like a 1000 average SAT, I'd rather go to some local college around here. As for state schools, I want to get out of here, hence the lack of them on my list. I appreciate any other safety ideas though. </p>
<p>Thanks!</p>
<p>BUMP, anyone else....I think I may choose Catholic Uni. of America as my safety super backup, any other ideas though?</p>
<p>Thanks!</p>
<p>Alright, so...</p>
<p>BC (EA) - Slight Reach
BU (RD) - Match
GWU (ED) - Match
American (RD) - Slight Safety
Northeastern (RD) - Slight Safety
U of Richmond (RD) - Match/Slight Reach
Catholic U. of America (RD) - Safety</p>
<p>I guess that's it then, you guys think I'm right with those, and what do you think my chances are at my listed Matches/Reaches?</p>
<p>Thanks!</p>
<p>BUMP, any opinions on this ^^</p>
<p>Thanks,</p>
<p>Ben</p>
<p>I think that's a good list, solid, I'd add one more for kicks but that's me, I'm applying to ten school b/c I want options!</p>
<p>^ lol, I know what you mean, I was thinking about it, the Common App just makes it so easy! I appreciate the input.</p>
<p>~Ben</p>
<p>Ben: I just looked over your stats etc again, and can I just say what I think...you could be a much stronger candidate if you would take standardized testing more seriously. You have a very strong GPR and you are taking a tough impressive courseload as a senior. You have three more weeks really to get serious about the ACT Practice exam study books and building on your speed and accuracy on that exam. The ACT is all about stamina and shrewd use of your time. The math only goes to Algebra II and is not as tricky. There is ACT testing strategy that is unlike the SAT, which you did not prep for properly either...and many schools really like those SATIIs.<br>
You should not be taking ACTs and SATs as a junior with no prep and then choosing your colleges based on those scores because you didn't really give yourself your best shot on those exams. It weakens your application which could be a very strong one. I know it is tedious, but so are all college days when exams come up. It is not too late for you to alter your testing scores. Take that fall sitting of the ACT seriously, stay rested that week, don't go out that Friday night late, bring a snack, pretend you are about to enter a big boxing match and do your best. GWU is a good institution but not the best institution for you in my opinion. Expensive, disjointed campus. You could benefit from a tight campus where access to teachers and dialogue is part of each day. Proximity to DC is not the crucial factor for undergrad success and good outcomes for access to international relations work at all. Intimacy with excellent faculty and good references garnered from those relatioships counts for more. UVa for instance has 8 graduates as US Ambassadors at the moment. Charlottesville is a small lovely town hours away. Many schools have internships there. You don't have to live there at 18--teachers don't live near the campus at GW or Georgetown either for that matter, and so this is a diluted feeling re faculty. If you are thinking prelaw too...many paths lead to law school entry and most of them are helped by smaller classrooms. GW doesn't really have a tight cohesive campus so don't let DC dazzle you too much. If you would work harder on standardized exams, you might be in a whole different position, with a few merit and need scholarship offers to choose from next May. Really..you have to put out the effort on this matter so your package matches your grades and talents. A 35 in Reading and your debate awards show that you are a highly verbal guy but you are showing a lack of judgment if you a. aren't doing practice exams on that ACT this summer and I mean more than two and in exactly test simulation time frames!! (Put your high verbal IQ to work and study those Exam Prep books...I have a feeling you are underacheiving there and points might mean merit money for you as you are in a single parent home) and b. you are not going to come across as someone who will attract money if you don't visit your favorite schools and ask for alum interviews etc. You are not going to be happy at a large safety school because you are a guy who likes challenge.<br>
University of Richmond only admits kids who give them a very serious lookover. You gotta study each school and show each admissions committe you really mean it if you apply. There are Catholic students at UR and there is a program where you are guaranteed admission to their law school as well. The Robbins family (?) gave a huge amount of money for a leadership program that might suit you. Perhaps that campus is not as urban as Boston but their endowment money for admitted students is out of sight. The key is really wanting to be there, and getting that across.<br>
Really this is true of any school if you want and need merit money, not just financial aide--you must demonstrate intimate grasp of each college and its ethos to be a serious candidate. And you are close to being that student at many great schools.<br>
I really like the idea of Colby for you as well..the school has a great espirit de corps and great outcomes in a very strong liberal arts atmosphere you might love. Dickinson is a "highly verbal" atmosphere as well. Vanderbilt is a reach but they are keen on diversifying culturally and are generous with merit money. Wake Forest might want your debate skills which is the activity that makes you unique. Bowdoin has a nationally ranked Poli Sci dept and fabulous outcomes and does not require the SAT. I have a hunch you will not get lost in a smaller LAC and you may really be able to build your strengths in a smaller school. Give them a look, too.<br>
best!</p>
<p>Can anyone suggest me some safeties school which provide inter students with a need-based package ?I haven't found any yet!!!Thanks in advance.</p>