<p>I've been having trouble identifying safety schools. I want a small undergraduate-focused school, preferably in the Northeast...even more preferably in a large city (with great public transport, maybe?). My problem is, I fell in love with schools before I started getting test scores back, so my top choices are ones that fit my academic profile, but not the one set by standardized testing. I've been trying to find safeties and matches, but have thus failed. I have a 3.8 UW GPA, a 4.9 W GPA, solid extracurriculars, great recs, and sure to be great essays...but a 1230/1600 and 1900/2400 on my SAT and a 27 ACT. So basically, I'm trying to find academically challenging small schools that are less selective, or perhaps that put less of an admissions emphasis on standardized tests. Like I said, I want something more in the Northeast, but I'm also willing to consider the midwest if need be. Any help is GREATLY appreciated. Thanks so much!</p>
<p>University of Pittsburgh?</p>
<p>I know it's not the smallest, but it is still a great school.</p>
<p>Lehigh? Dickinson?</p>
<p>Not safeties by any means, but you might try some SAT/ACT optional schools. Bates and Bowdoin, for example. Not in large cities (most LACs aren't) but excellent schools. Without your test scores your stats are impressive. </p>
<p>Some other SAT-optional Northeastern schools: Franklin & Marshall, Gettysburg, Goucher, Hamilton, Hampshire, Hobart & William Smith, Juniata, Muhlenberg, Providence, Sarah Lawrence, Union, Wheaton (MA).</p>
<p>Thanks so much to both of you!</p>
<p>I am definitely considering SAT optional schools, definitely applying to Franklin and Marshall, and maybe Sarah Lawrence (though my father hated it when we visited so I'm not sure I will be). Trying to decide on at least one other SAT optional school. Thanks for the list...it'll definitely make my life easier!</p>
<p>Anyone else? If it can be within distance of a large city, that is also a major plus. Also, a town where I won't have to drive (being from Florida, I'm not confident enough in my driving abilities to try it in ice, etc) is a plus. Thanks in advance!</p>
<p>mp153, I think your GPA will overpower your test scores. I recently read an article by an MIT admissions officer who said that standardized test scores are not a giant factor in deciding who makes the cut. They merely skim through the scores to see how it compares to your other academics. I would put a few of the better colleges on your list, such as Boston College, which is in a smaller town, but still close to large cities. I think U of Rochester is also a good one for you, because it has a beautiful campus, and everything is within walking distance. It's just minutes from the city itself, and a plus (I suppose...) for you would be that freshman aren't allowed a car on campus, which backs up my statement that the campus is comfortable, as well as small (8,000 student body).</p>
<p>That's what I was hoping, re: grades over test scores. However, everyone has been telling me otherwise, so I'm pretty freaked out. My top choice is Barnard and my RA at their pre-college program (who works in admissions) said that SATs mean hardly anything. Yet, everyone else seems to be making a big deal, so I figure I should add more safeties, just in case. Thanks for the suggestions, though, I'll definitely keep them in mind! </p>
<p>Any other suggestions?</p>
<p>^ Of, if your first choice is Barnard, you might also consider Smith and Mt. Holyoke, now also both SAT-optional.</p>
<p>Smith College is definitely worth considering. Smith is known for academic excellence, small classes, terrific advising and mentoring, and available, committed professors. Smith no longer requires SAT or ACT scores for US applicants.</p>
<p>In addition, Smith is part of a 5-college consortium (with Amherst, Hampshire, Mt. Holyoke and Univ Mass). You can take classes at any, and there is a free shuttle bus to get to classes at the other campuses.</p>
<p>Here are less selective schools in large metropolitan areas with good public transportation.</p>
<p>Wheelock, Emerson and Emmanuel colleges in Boston and Lesley in Cambridge, Mass., may be schools to consider.</p>
<p>St. Joseph's and La Salle universities in Philadelphia.
Marymount Manhattan in NYC</p>
<p>If you are female, check out Simmons in Boston and Trinity College in D.C.</p>
<p>The</a> National Center for Fair & Open Testing | FairTest has the list of schools that dont require the SAT</p>
<p>Go to USNWR (2008) rankings online and select "Baccalaureate Colleges" (schools focused solely on undergrad) or "Masters Schools". Select the region and up will pop the schools ranked in that region. </p>
<p>Look also in the South. Many, many FINE schools, like Elon University for example.</p>
<p>I wasn't really considering any women's colleges besides Barnard, but maybe now I will. </p>
<p>Much thanks to everyone for your help!</p>
<p>^ I'd also note that although Bryn Mawr does require the SAT or ACT, my impression is they don't weigh the standardized testing as heavily as HS grades and ECs, Although it's a women's college you can take unlimited courses at nearby coed Haverford or Swarthmore (a little farther & less convenient), or for any course not offered at Bryn Mawr or Haverford, at Penn, a convenient 20-minute train ride away. Public transportation into central Philly is very convenient, and Bryn Mawr & Haverford really do operate in tandem, with numerous course cross-registrations in both directions, some shared academic departments, and tons of shared ECs. The academics at all these schools are outstanding. (Now I better shut up as my D is interested in applying to both Bryn Mawr & Haverford, and I don't want to stir up too much competition for admissions).</p>
<p>You should check Drew University in Madison, NJ (about 45 min. train ride to NYC). Small, SAT optional, nice LAC with good rep. I think they have some internship prgrams in NY, too.</p>
<p>I didn't realize Juniata was test-optional although I don't know how that effects their awards. I know Drew seems to give money to test-optional students with good grades and recs.</p>
<p>Look at Clark in Worcester Mass
Also what about Skidmore in Saratoga Springs NY? Not urban, but a great small town.</p>
<p>I’d like to highlight Goucher again. Even with your SAT score (in Goucher’s case it’s probably actually a plus), it’s a definite safety. It’s a LAC located in Towson, a large urban feeling suburb of Baltimore. There’s a large mall, a movie theater, several concert venues, a ton of restaurants and lots more in walking distance, plus there’s only a 20-30 minute drive Baltimore. Public transportation is not great into Baltimore (there’s a bus, but it takes a while), but I do know that Goucher allows some cross registration with Johns Hopkins, so maybe they have some kind of shuttle into the city. And, once again, there is a lot to do in Towson alone (plus on campus as well, I’m sure).</p>
<p>Goucher allows not only cross registration with Johns Hopkins but right across town with public Towson U (expect to hang/party with them) and MICA, an art school in Baltimore</p>
<p>I'm bumping this, because I'm still having trouble deciding on safeties. Help?</p>