Safety school conundrum...

College Search & Selection
1

<p>Hello, first time poster at CC (former lurker) and senior this fall, trying to make it through the schlep of college admissions.</p>

<p>Basically, I would love any advice on safeties, with those that offer merit especially appreciated. The conundrum is that, scouring the forums, I've heard it repeated over and over that the only "true" safety one can have is State/Flagship U (which I hate to pass up but doesn't feel like the right place for me--guess I'm concerned I'll be "stuck" with it, as bad as that sounds.)</p>

<p>I've looked a bit at the automatic merit scholarships of some universities, Bama particularly, but still find myself wondering if I should add it to the shortlist, if it fits, all that jazz.</p>

<p>Here's the list I have (safety-free) of definites:
Rice
Columbia
U Chicago
Carleton
Oberlin
Pomona</p>

<p>I'm looking for that "quirky," "intellectual" vibe, definitely like the LAC feel; Rice seems to offer the best of both worlds. An available major in Earth Sciences/Geology is a must, good program even better, which seems to be the dealbreaker for a lot of schools I seem to be interested in (Reed, alas.) </p>

<p>Stats:
GPA: 4.0 uw, 4.6 weighted, currently ranked 1 out of roughly 300
ACT: 32 composite, 33 if superscored, SAT 2180, debating retaking both
ECs are solid with some nifty stuff, some leadership (not a whole lot)--haven't done any major research with a local university, published on karst, that sort of thing.</p>

<p>Anyway, any and all advice is much appreciated!</p>

2

<p>Wow, I need to brush up on my Yiddish. I didn’t realize it had a noun form.

Not true. A safety is a school to which you are assured entrance, your family can afford, and you are willing (happy) to attend. </p>

<p>What can your family afford for college? Any chance you will be NMF?</p>

3

<p>Wow, thanks for the quick reply!</p>

<p>My family’s EFC is 9700, and no, no NMF.</p>

<p>I’m very paranoid about using an OOS state university as a safety, especially with financial/acceptance concerns.</p>

<p>I’m also a dual citizen (Canada) and have been checking out schools there (U of Toronto, McGill,) still investigating, though the Canadian student rate is certainly worth considering.</p>

4

<p>Perhaps check if any of these may fit?</p>

<p><a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/15895768-post264.html[/url]”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/15895768-post264.html&lt;/a&gt; (safeties)</p>

<p><a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/15889078-post29.html[/url]”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/15889078-post29.html&lt;/a&gt; (non-safeties)</p>

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<p>family’s EFC is 9700, and no, no NMF.</p>

<p>Then, your instate flagship may not be your safety, since most don’t meet need.</p>

<p>Have you asked your parents if they’ll pay the $9700 or more? If not, ask them. You need to know exactly how much they’ll pay.</p>

<p>For sure add Bama to your list. Assured full tuition scholarship. The app is online already, so fill it out. It’s very quick to do. Also do the scholarship app.</p>

6

<p>Yes, my parents are content with that (if not paying slightly more, but not too much–I wouldn’t want to inflict that burden on them, besides.) </p>

<p>Thanks for both your responses, and also the info. about the Bama app–can’t believe it’s up this early.</p>

7

<p>For Geology, Brown has a strong program.</p>

<p>You might consider applying to a nonbinding EA school, that you like the best, then you won’t need any safeties.</p>

8

<p>Geology majors tend to be a bit quirkier and more intellectual. Also the geology programs, even at the leading schools, are generally much smaller than their overall strengths would suggest. I know geology/geophysics majors at five of the top twenty schools in the field, and all report small class sizes, and a more “eclectic” student body. This lines up to my experiences at a state flagship that’s generally not considered dominant in the field. </p>

<p>As far as Alabama goes, definitely apply to it. The only major weakness of its geology program is a lack of courses in geophysics, and a bit less of a field work emphasis than some other schools. </p>

<p>If you’re a Canadian citizen, you should apply to UBC -Vancouver. The West Coast is one of the most geologically exciting regions of the North American continent, and UBC does a lot of groundbreaking research in the earth sciences.</p>

9

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<p>If you get admitted early with sufficient financial aid, such a school may become a safety, but if you are not admitted early, or do not get a sufficient financial aid offer early, it cannot be a safety.</p>

10

<p>*Quote:
Originally Posted by BrownParent
You might consider applying to a nonbinding EA school, that you like the best, then you won’t need any safeties.
*</p>

<p>Not true, and a very common mistake. </p>

<p>Many kids apply EA or ED to schools, then wait to find out the results before applying to their safeties. This is often a big mistake. Safety schools often have merit scholarship deadlines in Nov or early Dec (Dec 1 in many cases). The rejected or deferred EA/ED student will have missed those important merit scholarship deadline if they wait til after EA/ED results are in.</p>

11

<p>Thanks for all of the suggestions everyone – will definitely look more into Brown, UBC.</p>

12

<p>Check out this thread:</p>

<p><a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/parents-forum/1514601-theoretical-question-safety-school-someone-who-wants-small-school.html[/url]”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/parents-forum/1514601-theoretical-question-safety-school-someone-who-wants-small-school.html&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

13

<p>SUNY Geneseo would make a nice safety school for you.</p>

14

<p>A227227, isn’t Geneseo more for humanities/liberal arts? Would it make more sense to consider Stony Brook? I’m not super familiar with the SUNY system, but if Geneseo has a good geo program, I’m all for it.</p>

<p>Also, happy 4th!</p>

15

<p>Are you a resident of NY? If not, what’s your home state?</p>

16

<p>Nope, good ol’ PA</p>

17

<p>Here are some match or safety schools that you may want to check out. No idea if they’ll meet your EFC:
-Trinity University (Tx)
-Whitman College
-Colorado College (one of the best geology programs of any LAC owing to the depth of courses and the block plan which is especially beneficial for field work intensive classes)
-Macalaster
-St. Lawrence University
-University of Rochester (does a lot of research)
-The College of Wooster
-Smith College (all-women)
-Franklin & Marshall (only offers some needed courses once every two years)
-Bowdoin College (competitive for admissions)
-Colgate (not very quirky but great geology)
-Case Western Reserve University (some graduates get good financial aid, others graduate with a high debt load)
-Ohio Wesleyan University
-Beloit College
-Wesleyan University</p>

<p>Also, you should still apply to Penn State although I’m not sure how much aid it will give you (since it’s terrible at meeting need). Its geology program is fantastic as are a few other, somewhat closely related fields.</p>

18

<p>whenhen, thanks a bunch for the list!</p>

<p>Penn State’s strength in geology does make me feel guilty. I’m just not that into PSU. Still considering it, though. There’s always hypnosis…</p>

19

<p>Don’t feel guilty. I’ve been to both a LAC and huge research university. There are a ton of benefits (as well as drawbacks) to attending smaller, undergraduate focused institutions. That being said, you should apply to PSU’s Shreyers Honors College and see what kind of aid you get.</p>

20

<p>OP – Take a SERIOUS look at Millersville. I am a PA resident. My son liked some of the same schools you like (Pomona, Oberlin). I realize Millersville may not appear as quirky/intellectual as those on your list, but Millersville has an a really strong Geology program.</p>

<p>I also second that you look at Colorado College, but it is NOT a safety school (financially or admission)</p>