Hi, I’m a rising senior and I’m not sure what schools I should apply to as safety schools. My reaches would be schools like Rice and NYU.
My Stats:
Academics:
In 2 prestigious programs at my school: the medical academy and the american studies program (combined humanities program)
ACT-35
Weighted GPA- 4.05 (I know it’s low but my high-school doesn’t give that much of a curve)
Top 5% of class
Freshman year:
AP Bio-4
PAP Computer Science
Medical Terminology
Sophomore year:
AP European History-5
Junior Year
AP Calc AB
AP English
APUSH
AP Chemistry
Senior Year (Next year)
AP Calc BC
AP English
AP Gov and Econ
ECs:
-leadership board of my school’s peer assisted leadership program in which we mentor younger students (most selective program of its kind in my state)
-tutor through Mu Alpha Theta
-Volunteer work at a charitable hospital abroad
-Camp Counselor at my city’s local camp
-Youth Group Leader
It really depends where you want to go, don’t apply to schools just because they are safe. What programs are you looking for? Also, what state do you live in (if you are willing to share)?
I’m going to applaud you for seriously looking at your safety school(s). It is the most important school you will be choosing. It’s much easier to get excited about reaches and matches. It is necessary to know what your parents are willing to contribute because a third of being a safety is knowing that it is affordable. I would also be curious to know what your intended major might be? You are academically qualified for most schools and those with acceptance rates above 50% would be strong candidates for safeties depending on major and residency. The more money is an issue the more you’ll need to be a stronger candidate (for scholarship purposes) and the more you’ll need to look in state (lower tuition).
Agree that you need to give information noted in post #2. In addition please let us know: 1) what you particularly like about Rice and NYU and 2) what other schools are on your application list so far.
Your ACT score is impressive and puts you in a competitive position at many colleges. Some colleges that I feel would be matches/safeties would be Tulane, IU (especially if you want business and they give great scholarships), Maryland, Purdue…I know these schools are quite different but without other information these are some I would consider.