Schools for me

College Search & Selection
1

I’m a Texas senior in high school looking to add a few schools to my list, maybe discover some places that I hadn’t thought about. So here goes!

I have a 4.66 weighted GPA, but only a 3.52 unweighted. However, I have always been in AP and advanced classes, and my grades have been consistently improving. I currently have all As except for in AP Calculus. I got a 1440 on my SAT, 670 math and 770 in english. I haven’t taken any SAT subject tests and probably won’t, since none of the schools I’m applying to even consider them. I have taken 6 AP tests so far, and passed all of them. My only 3 was on Physics 1. I have pretty solid ECs, with a lot of focus on law (mock trial, teen court, intern at a law firm) and writing (president of writers guild) as well as some stuff that paints me as well rounded (band, french club, astronomy club, work experience). I plan to double major in Political Science or international relations and Economics with a minor in Psych or English, with an intention to go into law school afterwards. I am an immigrant, moving to America when I was a baby, and speak Russian fluently.

Schools I’m applying to:
Safeties: Hofstra, UT Dallas,
Targets: Syracuse, American, UT Austin (lol prob a reach), Penn State, Rutgers, University of Washington, BU
Reaches: NYU, Washington and Lee, Sarah Lawrence,
Never gonna happen but why not apply: Columbia, UChicago

I’m looking for some more solid target schools as well as some desirable safeties, as I would prefer not to go to the 2 I have. I would love a school in the northeast or in Washington state, but honestly anywhere would do. I want a school that’s focused on academics, but the students still know how to have fun. I would prefer a liberal/moderate and politically active campus, but as long as the school isn’t predominantly conservative or heavily religious, I’m fine. A mock trial team is ideal, and the school must have some sort of study abroad program and allow you to double major or create a major. I would prefer a school with a distinct campus, but it is not a must, and nice dorms are a plus. I would prefer the school to be strong in political science and international relations, and be close enough to a decently sized city where I could find jobs/internships. I want an intellectual, diverse community that is focused on the future. Overly preppy is kind of ok, but definitely not a preference, as I don’t exactly fit that mold. If you’ve gotten this far without being bored, congrats.Thanks for your input yall!

2

You don’t mention financial considerations. So I’m going to just kind of assume some aid would be helpful, but you’ll be willing to pay a fair amount.

Macalester College is in Minneapolis and has a strong international emphasis. One of the most urban LACs. I’d consider it a match for you.

Denison is near Columbus, OH, a larger city that some would suppose. Very beautiful campus, and you’d probably get aid. Definitely a match, probably on the safer side.

William and Mary would be a great choice for you but would be expensive OOS (it’s public) and more of a low reach/reach.

Maybe Lafayette College in Easton, PA. Nice campus too. A match certainly, maybe safe side too, but not a safety straight up. Also in PA, Dickinson College, IR/government is the prime focus. Very, very nice campus, you’d perhaps get aid to knock maybe a 1/4 to 1/3 off sticker price. Honestly, I think you might like it better than Washington and Lee, which is also a very good school, just going to be a little more southern and preppy, I think. Only obvious downside to Dickinson for you, I think, is it’s not close to a big city. Otherwise, a lot of what it sounds like you are looking for.

You might also look at James Madison University in Harrisonburg, VA. Also public. In a nice town in the Shenandoah Valley. Students love it there. It attracts a lot of strong students from Nova and has a great reputation in the DC area. It’s about a two-hour drive from DC, so pretty far from a city.

Good luck!

3

With respect to internships, proximity to a city may not be essential. Opportunities for these at most schools tend to predominate during summer and other extended breaks. Terms away from the home campus, which may emphasize an internship experience, can also be used for this purpose.

Regarding W&L, I’m not sure that you could find a preppier college.

4

“I have a 4.66 weighted GPA, but only a 3.52 unweighted” – is this mathematically possible?

I agree with macalester for you though.

5

GW would be a great school for you; esp. for international relations. And the city is incredible. You’ll get in with your credentials.