<p>Hello! I've just started working on my college applications, narrowing down my list of schools to apply to, etcetera. My list so far is:
Barnard (first choice, but probably won't apply ED b/c of financial aid)
Columbia
Northwestern
Brandeis
Smith
Mount Holyoke
I am also applying to U. of Iowa and U. of Minnesota, since I have family that went to both schools and I don't have much say in the matter ;).</p>
<p>I am looking for a couple more schools that could be considered "safety schools" and that preferably aren't large state schools like Iowa and Minnesota (nothing against these schools, but I really want a smaller, more personal sort of college experience), and also since my parents are concerned that I have too many reach schools.</p>
<p>My parents also won't let me go anywhere outside of the midwest or northeast (mid-Atlantic states are okay, since I have some cousins there in case of emergency...)</p>
<p>Real quickly, my stats, to help determine reach/good match/safety:
SAT:2220/2400, with 800 on writing. ACT:34 SAT II (US History):740
GPA: 3.62 unweighted, 6.98 weighted, possibly higher (scale: 6.0=A in regular level class, 7.0=A in honors class, 8.0=A in AP class... yeah, my school's a little odd) (I am taking all honors/AP classes except for graduation requirements w/o a level)
Took three AP tests this past year and got 5s on all of them.
Extracurriculars: Dance company member/choreographer, volunteer tutoring, youth group (including leadership), work
[I am very sorry if any of this sounds like pointless bragging; that is not my intention at all... I just thought this info might be helpful]</p>
<p>Any help would be much appreciated!! Thanks!</p>
<p>If U. of Iowa and U. of Minnesota are your safeties (I don't know anything about either, but it sounds like they are), then no, you don't need anymore safeties. Your list looks good to me, and it's always nice to see another girl who's interested in women's colleges :]</p>
<p>Though it shouldn't really be considered a safety, add Macalester in St. Paul to your list. It's not a safety, but it's more probable than the other schools on your list.</p>
<p>I would say that Columbia and Northwestern are your reaches, with Barnard and Brandeis being your somewhat tougher matches and Smith and Mount Holyoke being your somewhat easier matches. If you want to add a small safety school to be more comfortable, that's fine, but as long as you HAVE a safety school, I think your list is great. I'm having a little bit of trouble interpreting your GPA, but it sounds like it is pretty high, your SAT scores are fine for any of your schools, and your extras sound quite strong as well. Everyone should have a safety school, of course, but I find it VERY unlikely that you will not get into at least one of your match schools. Barring anything unforeseen, in my opinion, you should get into Brandeis, Smith and Mount Holyoke. I would think that you have a decent shot for Barnard as well, and Northwestern isn't that huge of a reach either (both could be waitlists, for example). Columbia is a reach, but not very much more for you than for anybody else. </p>
<p>Long story short, as long as you have a safety that you would be decently happy with, don't worry about your list--it is very appropriate. Just concentrate on knocking your applications out of the park.</p>
<p>I wouldn't say that BC is a safety for anyone. I've heard that the acceptance rate was something like 20% this year. </p>
<p>I second Goucher though. </p>
<p>And I agree with what the other posters have said - as long as you have one solid safety school, you don't necessarily need any more. Unless, of course, you want more.</p>
<p>^^Well, it is possible. Unlikely, sure, but possible. I see your point, though...it makes sense that a girl for whom Columbia is a top choice would also apply to Barnard (although Columbia was a top choice for me and I did not apply to Barnard, despite the fact that I (obviously) was not dead-set against a women's college), but it doesn't make much sense the other way around. I suspect, however, that the OP simply likes both schools, and thus wants to apply to both of them.</p>
<p>BC's acceptance rate is in the mid to upper 20's (a google search turned up 27% for this year, but by no means do I hold that as gospel). I considered it a "safe match" school, but I did not/would not have relied on it as my safety (which is good, since it turned out that I actually didn't like it very much when I visited after being accepted. Ah well). SAT and extra-wise, I would think that the OP would get in (although I'm still confused by her GPA), but yeah...not a safety. People with stats like hers didn't get in this past year (for no apparent reason). The acceptance rate is just too low.</p>
<p>I wouldn't eliminate any schools, you don't have that many. Also, having alot of matches is sort of like a safety so you might even consider adding a couple of places. Wellesley and Vassar might be two great options.</p>
<p>Thanks for your suggestions; I will look into them. The extra safety school thing is more for my parents than anyone else... this is the first time they're dealing with the whole college thing, and the fact that I'm applying to schools they never thought I'd apply to is probably making them fear for the worst...</p>
<p>Also, in regards to applying to both Columbia and Barnard... I'm applying (I think, anyway) for their joint programs with the Jewish Theological Seminary. In this case, because of the way the programs work (all sorts of complicated things that I can explain more if anyone really wants to know...), it's actually easier to get into the Columbia program (since it's through the school of general studies, as opposed to Columbia College). So that's why I'm applying to both, otherwise I'd cut Columbia/replace with a less selective school.</p>
<p>I think your list is good as is. I see no reason why you would need to apply to any more schools (even though CC'ers like to go for as many as possible--I only applied to five schools I really liked). It's good to see a girl interested in women's colleges!!</p>
<p>Might want to look at Holy Cross and Trinity. Both are top30 LAC's. Holy Cross is a smaller Georgetown and seeks a diverse student body. HC is located 1 hour from Boston while Trinity is in Hartford.</p>