<p>I am searching around for schools to apply to, especially a safety with good merit (2140 SAT - retaking this year, 3.75 Weighted, 10 or so ap credits with mostly 5's and a few 3's). I can pay full freight at top schools but couldn't justify the expense for a safety school. I also am having trouble deciding where I want to apply ED. I will be applying uchicago as an econ major EA. If I can score 2200+ on the SAT should I bother with a shot at one of the Ivies? My extracurriculars are weak, but now that I've graduated high school (on a gap year) they are showing a nice improvement, with volunteer work, a part-time job, and 3 online classes. Please critique my list and offer suggestions. I don't know much about these schools for the most part, other than what I've read in the princeton review book. </p>
<p>UVA
Willamette
U Chicago
Reed
Rice
Occidental
Oberlin
Davidson
Bard
Amherst (not sure if it's a fit??)</p>
<p>If you love reading, I suggest St. John’s College (at Annapolis or Santa Fe). Their entire curriculum is based on reading the Great Books. It seems like a fascinating school, and is very intellectual. I think it could be a safety since its unique program gives it a very high acceptance rate (fewer people will make the conscious decision to apply there).</p>
<p>My S fell hopelessly in love with Reed. He is only a Junior and is definitely applying next year. I was worried about the intense work load for him because he loves to do many things and it seems as though Reed has a reputation for people never leaving the library so we too are looking for schools similar to Reed but maybe not so intense. Most of your schools had been suggested for my S as well, except Davidson?? and maybe Amherst, they seem like they would be polar opposite of Reed. My S did not like Willamette at all, too soon after the Reed love feast to get any love.</p>
<p>Some other schools that have been suggested, although some are reported to be just as academically intense as Reed, but have the same vibe;</p>
<p>Colorado College
Carleton
Grinnell
Sewanee
Vassar
Wesleyan
Whitman</p>
<p>I’m not sure Rice is what you’re looking for. It probably has an equally intense student body, but most people are more interested in engineering or science. It is not as strong in econ as Univ of Chicago.</p>
<p>thanks 5boys, that looks like a very nice list. If you decide your son can handle the intensity and decide to apply make sure he writes a great essay. In my opinion it’s probably the most important part of their app. I have friends at sewanee. Looks like another good safety, how is the merit aid there?</p>
<p>I have dropped Rice/Amherst/Bard from my list. I added pomona (reach) and Lawrence (recommended to me as a wonderful safety). I’m wondering what I wouldn’t like about davidson? Seems like a wonderful school based on the princeton review book</p>
<p>My new list:
Davidson
Oberlin
Reed
U Chicago
UVA
Duke
Pomona
Whitman
Lawrence</p>
<p>I am pretty sure I’ll do ED at Pomona. Everyone seems to love it there and supposedly they have a solid econ program…and warm weather.
I expected a fresh college search to cast serious doubt upon Reed as my #1 choice, but all of the schools I’ve researched, including reviews by actual students, have cast serious red flags. including U Chicago. So Reed is still my #1 with Pomona not far behind right now.</p>
<p>If you’re a Reed person, take Davidson, U Chicago and UVA (maybe Duke too) off your list; they’re not nearly as progressive and non-traditional. If you love Pomona, then add Claremont McKenna (another of the 5C Colleges) – especially if you’re interested in Econ. Consider adding back Occidental and Bard. Definitely add back Colorado College. And take a hard look at Middlebury, Bowdoin and Kenyon, each of which is extraordinary. Also look at Macalaster and Vasser. If you’d like to include one Ivy, then it should be Brown.</p>
<p>The adcom at reed wants me to show that I’ve been making good choices. The longer time period I have to show this, the better. </p>
<p>Thanks muddad, I am going to take that advice seriously. colorado seems like another nice safety. I will keep UVA on there cause it’s in-state = very cheap. U chicago seems to have very mixed reviews. Everyone agrees it’s very challenging, but it seems at least 20% or so of people are just miserable there. I’ve really gotta ponder that one.</p>
<p>i was already accepted + rescinded after I did stupid things and got in legal trouble, hence my gap year. The dean has encouraged me to reapply if I can demonstrate I’m past that behavior. time = good</p>
<p>I’m not interested in econ, but I, too, am looking for an intellectual environment where debate, learning, and critical thinking are of paramount importance. This is my college list so far:</p>
<p>Bard College (because of the arts program)
DePauw University (it’s a bit of a party school, but I like the campus and the Honor Scholar Program)
Reed
Sewanee
St. John’s College - Annapolis
Trinity University
Union College
University of Chicago
Whitman (again, not very “quirky”, but by all accounts a great place)</p>
<p>If you intend to earn a postgraduate degree, St. John’s might be a good place to look at for undergraduate?</p>
<p>thanks for your list brotha. I too considered sewanee as a safety but I read on <em>cough</em> another site that drinking is the main activity there and that campus police go around looking for people to bust. Not a good combination imo. I think I have enough schools now so it’s not really a problem, but why do so many have to be in cold places?! I’m far from dead-set on econ, but it would probably be my first choice if the school is known for that program. Good luck on your apps ghostt.</p>
<p>I 100% agree with your statement about “intellectual environment where debate, learning, and critical thinking are of paramount importance.” Just as important to me, though, is that I am surrounded by people who don’t just want to create a successful life for themselves, but work to make the world a better place to live in</p>
Reed and St. John’s do seem to attract some similar students.</p>