<p>I'm aiming for Yale, but since that's obviously a reach, I wanted to find some appropriate safeties besides my state school (Rutgers).
I have a 2380 SAT, 4.0 GPA, 5's on a bunch of APs, 800s on SAT2s, and the most rigorous courseload possible in my competitive suburban public school. I think my extracurriculars are pretty strong (national/regional/state recognition, performed music at international festivals, leadership roles around my region) and I am fairly certain my teachers will send out solid letters of rec.
I would really appreciate if anyone could suggest schools that are "comfortable" in terms of admissions chances for me (safety or solid match). Preferably Northeast or Midwest, academically strong, not too huge, social and fun student body. Fields of study that interest me are cognitive science, neuroscience, linguistics, computer science, economics, and politics.</p>
<p>With your stats, hundreds of schools will accept you. However, a safety also has to be affordable. Most safeties do not give much aid, and many don’t give great merit scholarships. And, certainly, most schools do not have the generous aid policies that Yale has. </p>
<p>What is your situation? if your parents will pay $55k+ for any school, then you’ll have many choices. If you have financial issues (need aid or need merit scholarships) then we need to know that so suggested schools will work for you.</p>
<p>How much will your parents pay? </p>
<p>Also…do you like LACs? Rural? City? Coldy snowy weather? Warm weather? Sports to watch and cheer for? Single sex schools ok? (are you female?)</p>
<p>Thanks for the insight! I am fortunate enough to have parents that will pay 55k for a top school, but if I’m going to go to a safety school then I’d rather get some merit aid. No pressing financial issues though.
To answer your other questions, I haven’t looked too far into any LACs and although they are wonderful for some, they seem too small for my liking. City preferable, but I’m not picky. I don’t really care about sports. Warm weather would be wonderful, but there are some great schools in cold weather and I wouldn’t use it as a factor in my decision. I’m female but single sex education isn’t really for me.
In terms of other intangibles - I’m sociable, outgoing, and politically active. I would prefer schools where there is no pressure to join a sorority. Good music groups (a cappella, etc). Good scientific research ops.</p>
<p>You definitely should be checking out the U of Rochester… esp for Cognitive Science (called BCS there) and neuro and esp if you want oodles of research options in a school that really supports undergrad research.</p>
<p>Another strong school in neuro is Pittsburgh. Overall they aren’t ranked as high as U Roc, but in neuro they are very strong.</p>
<p>If you like Yale, a solid match might be Rice in Houston. Same housing system. Smaller than Yale but not a LAC. Very strong academics. Better weather and nicer area around campus.</p>
<p>But what is wrong with Rutgers? Some NJ residents have reported getting large merit scholarships there, and it is a fine school for several of your subjects (CS, economics, political science, and linguistics).</p>
<p>I agree with URoch…and you’d very likely get merit there.</p>
<p>Rice is still a low reach even with your stats, but you probably have a good chance. Houston is hot, but the area that Rice is located is VERY nice. Students are very happy there. </p>
<p>Santa Clara would be a safety for you and you’d get large merit there…at least $25k per year. Lovely school.</p>
<p>Thanks for the suggestions! I’ll look into Rice. I’m not sure about URoch, just because that part of New York seems a little too far removed for me, despite Rochester being an urban environment. Could anyone suggest something closer to New Jersey? So far, the furthest school from home I have on my definite list is Duke!</p>
<p>How about the University of Michigan? They have a beautiful campus and very impressive graduate schools. (U of M law is the 10th best in the country, and their med school is nationally recognized) </p>
<p>It’s one of those public universities that has a bit of a private, elite feel.</p>
<p>Congrats on your great stats!<br>
You wrote;“but if I’m going to go to a safety school then I’d rather get some merit aid. No pressing financial issues though”. A moderator Etomom wrote in another forum;
“There are many colleges within the USN&WR top 100 that offer substantial merit scholarships, starting with 2 schools on the within the top 10; 4 within schools #11-20…”
I’m not sure what they are but I would try to find the highest ranked safties with the most merit aid. As i am somewhat new perhaps others will comment on close to New Jersey alternatives. Good luck!</p>
<p>Michigan has about 40,000 students (roughly 2/3 undergraduate and 1/3 graduate) so it’s immense. </p>
<p>I was going to recommend you University of Toronto but it has measly financial aid and it’s also far too big (a few thousand more students than Michigan). Strengths: economics, neuroscience, and, to a lesser extent, computer science and cognitive science.</p>