Safety Schools?

College Search & Selection
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<p>Hi guys, this post will be full of questions that may seem a bit obvious or redundant but I want to make sure I cover all the metaphorical bases.</p>

<p>I've been looking around these forums and the phrases "safety", "match", and "reach" (and variations of reach) have popped up a lot. I reasonably understand what a safety school is...I'm just not sure what a good one for me would be! At first, I thought UConn could be a good safety, because it's in-state and many people from my school go there every year. However, they do not have my major.</p>

<p>I am an upcoming senior from Connecticut.
I am ranked 11 out of a class of 419 with a GPA of 3.6-3.7 out of 4.3.</p>

<p>SAT Scores:
2000
(640 Writing, 670 Math, 690 Critical Reading)
Taken once so far; I plan on retaking it again in the near future to improve.
I have not taken any SAT Subject tests, but I am considering taking US History and World History, because I know some schools require at least two subject tests.</p>

<p>AP Exam Scores:
AP World History - 5
AP United States History - 5
AP Literature & Composition - 4
AP European History - next year
AP Music Theory - next year! :)</p>

<p>I want to major in Music Composition and possibly couple it with Business Administration, depending on the school.</p>

<p>Currently, my list includes:</p>

<p>Boston University
University of Hartford
Hofstra University
New York University
Northwestern University
Temple University</p>

<p>As you can probably tell, I'm definitely still looking around, so if you think there are other schools that I should check out, definitely name them!
As for safeties, that's what I'm asking for. I have no idea what would qualify as a "safety" for me. If there is any info that I didn't include that would help you guys out, feel free to ask! Thank you in advance.</p>

2

<p>I’ll provide you with a handful of recommendations for low matches/safeties. Just be sure to run net price calculators and double check on musical comp. program quality. Any financial restrictions, school sizes, or locations you prefer?</p>

3

<p>You do have some good safeties on your list already. Safeties for you would be schools where the average SAT and GPA are similar or lower than yours and the acceptance rate is relatively high. Basically, these should be schools you would be happy to attend and also have an excellent chance of getting into. Butler, Ohio State University, Syracuse, UC Santa Barbara, Baylor might all be schools to look into: They cover a wide variety of locations. </p>

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<p>A safety also needs to be affordable, otherwise it’s just a waste of app $. Run the NPCs.</p>

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<p>Definitely agree. </p>

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<p>Thanks guys! I definitely want to stay in an urban area in the Northeast (NY, Philly, Boston); I would not be opposed to Providence, or Chicago (although it’s a bit far for me). School size is not a total determining factor but I would enjoy a larger school better than a tiny school.</p>

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<p>Also, money is a factor - my mom is currently going through a career transition and we don’t have all the money in the world to spend on college.</p>

8

<p>NYU = terrible financial aid</p>

9

<p>Yes, unfortunately!</p>

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<p><a href=“http://www.collegesimply.com/guides/2000-on-the-sat/#.U8ScDLHbdag”>http://www.collegesimply.com/guides/2000-on-the-sat/#.U8ScDLHbdag&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

<p>Select the states you’re interested in. Colleges with a green “high” should be admission safeties. Run the aid calculators for each to see if they’re financial safeties as well.</p>

11

<p>^^^</p>

<p>That doesnt tell us much. </p>

<p>Is your household income modest (like under $50k)? or what? </p>

<p>Do you have a non-custodial parent? If so, will he help pay for college? His household income will be considered by the schools that give the best aid. </p>

<p>How much can your family pay towards college each year? $10k? more? less? </p>

<p>Most colleges dont give great need-based aid. And most expect families to pay more than their EFC. You have a few schools on your list that give lousy aid. Those can be a huge problem if your family cant pay much. </p>

<p>we need to know if you will have an unaffordable EFC, or if you would qualify enough aid at the schools that give the best aid? </p>

<p>For instance…If your family has an EFC of - say - $25k, but your family can only pay $10k per year, then even a school that gives great aid, will not give you enough money.</p>

<p>take both the SAT and ACT…you need the highest scores possible!!!</p>

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<p>@mom2collegekids Well it lists schools where he’d be at varying percentiles…Isn’t that the rule to determine safeties/matches/reaches (75%/50%/25%), except for those schools which are reaches for everyone?</p>

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<p>A typical safety is one of your home state’s campuses. So most likely Storrs and one of the regional UConn campuses.</p>

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<p>It was, except UConn doesn’t offer my major so I don’t think that it would be the best choice, even if it is close to home and cheaper than the rest. Possibly ECSU?</p>

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<p>Check with UConn if they have the agreement with other public schools if they don’t have your major, you can attend another public school for the price of instate tuition. This is what my physics teacher did because they didn’t have Astrology at his state school at the time</p>

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<p>Oh and that state school that didn’t have astrology was UConn by the way if that helps</p>

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<p>@shawnspencer‌ they teach astrology at an American college or university? :wink: </p>

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<p>Ooops I meant astronomy. Good catch haha @jkeil911‌ </p>

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<p>@shawnspencer‌ - I will look into that! The major in question is Music Composition, which they do not have - they have a jazz-centric composition track within their Music program, but I doubt that will do me (a cellist) much good. I’ll look around at what other schools that would work at! :)</p>

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<p>If you can look further away, check out St Olaf (match) and Lawrence (low match/safety). Both are very good for music (including composition and direction). Oberlin is another one but it’d be a reach so, since this thread is for safeties/matches…</p>