Safety Schools?

<p>I am a hardworking high school junior who gets As in AP classes. I have a 4.5 weighted GPA as of the end of sophomore year, but it will probably go up by the end of this year. I am looking at schools like Rochester, Kenyon, Bowdoin and Wesleyan. I was wondering what schools would be good safety schools for me. I would prefer to stay away from larger universities (anything over 10,000) and I want to go to a school on the east coast. I am also a pretty down to earth person who doesn't party much and who isn't preppy. </p>

<p>What are you test scores? Proposed major? Financial situation? Male or female?</p>

<p>Your flagship state school will be a safety and a financial safety. </p>

<p>Sorry my SAT composite is 1930. I am taking the ACT in June and I expect to do better, possibly around 30-32. My chemistry SAT score is 710 and I am also taking the math II in June. I want to major in neuroscience with a minor in music (piano). I am also a white female and I am not really interested in financial aid.</p>

<p>Maybe look at Skidmore, Dickinson, Bard, Fordham (Rose Hill), SUNY New Paltz</p>

<p>Ithaca, Ursinus, Sweet Briar College, and Trinity College might be good fits :)</p>

<p>I would look at Tulane (if New Orleans isn’t too far from the east coast for you). Great private school with around 8,000 students.</p>

<p>How about Smith College, if you’re not opposed to a women’s college?</p>

<p>Oops. Not a safety - but a match*</p>

<p>To be a safety a college must be affordable for you (otherwise it’s just a waste of an application fee). Not being interested in FA doesn’t really mean anything. Have you asked your parents if they are willing to pay $60K/year for college? If not that much then what is their affordable number?</p>

<p>@Erin’s Dad when I said I wasn’t interested in financial aid I meant that my parents have told me that they have been saving for college since the day I was born and that we don’t need it. They are willing and able to pay that price for college.</p>

<p>Then Denison would probably be a safety for you (test optional if the ACT doesn’t work out well). Not East Coast but not far from Kenyon. </p>

<p>If you can get to a first choice by Nov 1, you are an ideal Early Decision candidate. Then you won’t need a safety. </p>

<p>Barring that, I question how important is or what is your definition of the “east coast”, as Kenyon and Rochester are quite far from being coastal. </p>

<p>There are many schools where you are very likely to get into. </p>

<p>I would apply to some early action (EA) schools so that you have a decision in hand as soon as possible. Any school you are admitted to EA becomes a safety, even if it was initially a reach, and you can focus your applications on the matches and reaches. Some you should look at are</p>

<p>Boston College (MA)
Case Western (OH)
Kalamazoo College (MI)
Lawrence University (WI) - has conservatory
Ursinus (PA) - applicants notified 4 weeks after application</p>

<p>I should’ve been more specific. I prefer to be around the New England Area, and as far as I am willing to go is probably Ohio since my parents would prefer to drive rather than fly (we’re from NJ). So I would say I am concentrating around New England, Middle Atlantic, and Ohio, but no farther west. Thanks though!</p>

<p>Well then eliminate Kalamazoo and Lawrence. Of the remainder, BC is a match and I think Case and Ursinus will likely admit you. If you get nothing from those 3, then go with more safeties. Also, I assume that you know all about College of New Jersey. That should definitely be a safety for you. </p>