<p>You might like Hampshire in Massachusetts</p>
<p>they accepted me last year with 10 grand, but I don’t like the thought of going there any more. I’m feeling pretty good about the list I have now:
Colorado College
Davidson
Pomona
Reed
UVA (not sure it’s quite a “match”, but, for $35-40k per year less, no problem!)
U Chicago
Whitman
Lawrence
Oberlin (They rejected me last year :()</p>
<p>All of these schools sound nice, and it’s a wayyyyy better list than I ended up with last year.
and if I can score a 2250+ I will apply to upenn or brown as well.
Thanks a lot for everyone’s help so far!`</p>
<p>Boo. Lawrence would require me to apply as a transfer student despite just taking 3 online courses in a non-degree program. Is that even possible on the common app, once you pick “first-year student” at the beginning?</p>
<p>^^^^ thoughts?</p>
<p>Well, I’ve heard back from all the schools that don’t have clear transfer policies, and lawrence is the only problem. Too bad, they are getting dropped.</p>
<p>Flew out to visit u chicago today (amazing and ENORMOUS campus) and interview. I’m not one to boast about things like these (partly because I tend to underestimate how well I do) but I can tell I totally blew the interviewer away :). awesome. he was a really nice guy too. I really like the way he ran the interview. I decided I’ll take an RD shot at mit (where I’m a legacy), I think I have a decent chance depending on how well I work the interview.</p>
<p>I find it interesting that you are attracted to Pomona out of all the Claremonts. While it does have a good econ. program, I always thought Pitzer had a more Reed-like vibe to it. I’m sure you have done this allready, but I think your gap year will warrant some explaining - and considering how competative Pomona is, you will want to show that you used the year to your advantage. Also, keep in mind that MIT admission tends to be somewhat numbers driven, so your scores will hold added weight there - make them good. Your legacy will undoubtedly help though. And also, not your burst your bubble, but interviews rarely amount to much on applications. They are not at all detrimental, but an admissions officer isn’t going to advocate for your rejection and then change their mind after reading your interview; in other words, an interview will neither make nor break your application. However a good interview with U Chicago can’t hurt. Overall your a very qualified applicant for most of the schools on your list, just work on your SAT’s and your in the running. Best of luck!</p>
<p>Check a school’s Common Data Set to see how important the interview is, but the most important issue is how it shows fit, not whether you blew someone away (you can do that and convince the interviewer that you’re not a good fit). But if the interviewer indicates that you’re a good fit, that’s a different story. :)</p>
<p>Thanks for the tip. Wow, very interesting! MIT “does not consider” an applicant’s interest, however the interview is “important”, while the essay is merely “considered”.</p>
<p>Time is running out. Here’s my list; I’m pretty satisfied with it. I feel like I have a good blend of reaches, matches, and safeties. Any criticism will be appreciated:</p>
<pre><code>Brown University
MIT
</code></pre>
<p>^^Taking a stab at these two if my Nov SAT comes back +60 points or more</p>
<pre><code>Colorado College
Davidson College
Kenyon College
Pomona College
Reed College
University of Chicago
University of Virginia
Whitman College
Willamette University
</code></pre>