Trying to finalize the apply-to list with D20, and I think she needs more match/safeties. She’s only visited a few colleges, but loves University of Michigan. She likes the combo of great academics, school spirit, and how the school is incorporated into the lovely town of Ann Arbor. Right now, U of M is the gold standard in her mind. She plans to major in some sort or math/ finance combo, and is intrigued by the data science field. She wants a big school, with great sports and spirit, wants to have fun (Greek life), and wants to be in a cute college town and/or in close proximity to a big city (but not necessarily smack dab in the middle of the city). She does not want to stay in the Northeast (we live in NY and she goes to school in CT). She wants to experience a new part of the country for this 4-year period as she would like to come back to NYC to work post graduation.
Her stats:
SAT superscore 1540 (790 M, 750 E)
ACT 35
UW GPA: 3.8 (not sure about W)
School doesn’t offer “AP” classes but she has taken an advanced courseload of Honors and Advanced classes. She will graduate with a STEM certificate (new initiative offered at her school, kind of like an independent study thing).
ECs are limited, she plays three-season sports but mostly on JV teams, she has been in Key Club for four years (Admissions tours), will be on Student Activities Committee, manage the campus thrift store, and be a math tutor next year. She founded a Squirrel Club this year (likely inspired by Michigan’s famed clubs), just for fun. And lived for four months in Costa Rica for a one-to-one exchange program with a school there fall of her junior year. She works as a restaurant hostess in summers.
List so far (reach heavy, IMO):
Northwestern
WashU
Vanderbilt
UPenn
UCLA
UCB
U Mich
UVA
UNC Chapel Hill
U Wisc Madison
U Minnesota TC
Tulane
Ohio State, Data Analytics. They are investing heavily into that program, pumping tens of millions into renovating a building so they can have a dedicated space. The university and department are well known for collaboration with other departments, so good opportunity for business-specific data analytics experience.
With her stats, she has a great shot at merit aid, also. Other posters have indicated that UMich doesn’t give much merit aid to OOS applicants.
Should add that we are gasp full pay, so we will not be seeking FA. Though merit money would be nice, financial restrictions will not be a deal breaker.
Have her look carefully at UM’s options for math (LS&A) and finance (Ross). She should research what is involved in double majoring or minoring across the schools. I’m not sure of the current rules, but historically Ross has been somewhat restrictive for non-Ross students enrolling in their classes. I think they’ve loosened up somewhat in recent years, but I’d dig into that carefully if she really wants that combo. Also, relying on admission to Ross after arriving on campus is always risky if she does end up wanting to major in finance.
The University of Utah would be a good safety which is strong in math/CS/business and has a great campus with good school spirit (particularly for football since there’s no NFL team) on the edge of a nice city. The outdoor lifestyle is very attractive, especially for skiing, backpacking, etc. and she would likely get a full tuition scholarship with her stats. Also look at the competitive full ride (Eccles) cohort scholarship which is a great experience (https://honors.utah.edu/admissions/eccles-distinguished-scholarship/).
A few more reaches to consider, but when you desire top notch sports, academics and school spirit, the schools that come to my mind are Stanford and Notre Dame and to a slightly lesser extent Penn State and U Florida.
FYI, my now Sophomore kid had similar “wants” in a college and chose UMich. And is planning to major and minor in two (LSA) STEM fields including math. No finance though.
If you are looking for something more in the match/safety area,I would look at Miami University (OH). They have a very good B School. They also have this https://miamioh.edu/fsb/centers/cads. It is a Center for Analytics and Data Science. She could also get some nice merit (half to full tuition). That would be nice to the wallet.
U Indiana-Bloomington.
She would have a range of finance options at Kelley Business, or Math/Stats/Computational data options through their School of Arts and Sciences.
Congratulations to your daughter on her hard work and accomplishments. Her hard work has opened up so many great choices for her future!
I know it doesn’t match the prestige of the rest of the list but your DD’s stats are very, very similar to my DD (34 ACT one and done, but higher GPA with many APs and some strong ECs) who is thriving at Alabama. With free tuition it leaves her $ for setting her up in her future as she will have her full college fund intact (and growing for 4 years) at graduation. Amazing campus, Amazing school spirit, Amazing Greek life, #10 in Nation and #1 in SEC for internship placement, huge thriving alumni network, huge out of state population. The stats and awards for the Honors College students rival almost all top schools. She is interning now in the NE with students from schools all over, many Ivy and equivalent and she is shining. Many peers also interning now in top companies: NYC, Atlanta, Philadelphia, Boston, SF, Chicago, Nashville, Omaha, Houston, Seattle, London, Toronto, etc.
We are from the NE and she wanted to spend 4 years in a different region. We were full pay everywhere. The business school just received a huge donation from and lots of hands on support from Marillyn Hewson (CEO and President of Lockheed Martin). It is an automatic safety for your DD and checks off all of the boxes. It is a school that needs to be experienced to be believed. If you can afford the time and $ to tour, you will not be disappointed. She may decide it is not for her, but you will come away with a deep appreciation for all it has to offer and understand why they are attracting so many high caliber students.
She also loved Miami University (mentioned post #8) and received lots of merit $, Pitt, and Villanova (smaller, more expensive, and different vibe than the others - and not really a safety due to smaller size). She ultimately chose Alabama over Miami OH because she felt that the mid-west was declining in population and industry and the southeast was growing in both population and industry. She felt it was closer to thriving and growing cities and would position herself better for the job market. She also valued the diverse OOS student population that are taking their degrees and traveling all over the US and internationally. She feels that this broadening alumni network will work in her favor (as opposed to a Penn State with its huge NE alumni base but not as geographically diverse). It has also made her stand out from the Ivy/top feeder schools in interviews and in her internship.
The College Directors Cups Standings will give you a very good list of schools with outstanding overall sports programs with breadth and depth. Most of the schools at the top of the list have strong school spirit and great academics as well.
Everything is a reach being out of state. But your daughter is doing a great job building her resume. Michigan would be a great fit for her and she can easily combine interests. She doesn’t need Ross to do what you listed. Have her talk to her high school AO for Michigan and ask how to combine her interests. Get ideas. Plus it’s a great way for your AO that you are interested and their valid questions.
Also Michigan likes kids that mentor others and those that are active and involved. They want those kids doing the same once they are there.
Have multiple safeties but seems like she’s on a good path