Suggest some schools?

College Search & Selection
1

<p>Hi. So, I'm a homeschooled junior compiling a tentative list of schools. Stats-wise, I'm very strong. My ECs are dedicated; I facilitate a tutoring program at a middle school, make, sell, and display ceramics and stained-glass, hold a part-time job, and horseback ride competitively on a regional circuit. Hopefully, my essays will be the highlights of my application, though it's certainly possible I'll derp out when it comes down to it. Prospective majors are religion and anthropology. I have sat down with my mother and had the money talk. Our EFC is low (<$3000) but manageable.</p>

<p>Schools I'm already looking into: Tufts, Pomona, Carleton, UChicago, Rice, Wesleyan, Bryn Mawr, Reed, Swarthmore, Beloit, Barnard, Grinnell</p>

<p>All reaches except Bryn Mawr and Beloit, which are more matchy and safe respectively. This is a tentative list; some I've researched extensively, and others I'm still looking into. Most have some concern that has yet to subside, but stay on the list (for now) for other reasons.</p>

<p>I'm indifferent about location as long as there is 1) vibrant campus life or 2) a vibrant city to explore - I'm more concerned with the people. A strong sense of community is important. I'm most comfortable in the 2000-6000 undergrads bracket but flexible if the school is otherwise a good fit. Emphasis on undergrads is preferred. I'm all for quirky, intellectual, bleeding hearts, etc, but ideally, there should be a good dollop of more conventional fun-loving and friendly in the Proust-reading stew. I will party in college. I will also read for pleasure, be excited for class, and even sometimes talk about class over meals (gasp!). It would be fantastic if the "vibe" embraced that.</p>

<p>So, yes, that was very long-winded. I would love any input on my list, especially suggestions for safeties. Thanks!</p>

2

<p>It’s interesting that you competitively ride horses but have a low EFC. That’s unusual.</p>

<p>

More information on stats will help us to find good schools. Grades, scores, home state (for costs).</p>

3

<p>Mt. Holyoke is worth a look:</p>

<p>[Intercollegiate</a> Horse Show Association - Mount Holyoke College Athletics](<a href=“http://athletics.mtholyoke.edu/information/overview/ihsa]Intercollegiate”>Intercollegiate Horse Show Association - Mount Holyoke)</p>

4

<p>

</p>

<p>Wow, that’s a nice collection, seriously! My first impressions: Reed is very liberal (not that there’s anything wrong with that, but look into it) and Swarthmore is almost impossible to get into and a pressure-cooker besides. Very very high standards (as are most of your reaches). Barnard is obviously in NYC with all that entails (I love NYC!). All in all it’s a great bunch though. I’ll be interested in seeing how your preferences develop!</p>

<p>Here’s a unique one you may not have considered yet:
[St</a>. John’s College](<a href=“Concrete CMS Is An Open Source Content Management System For Teams”>http://www.sjca.edu/)</p>

<p>–welcome to CC btw!</p>

5

<p>Sorry to ask, but what’s your ACT/SAT also GPA.</p>

6

<p>

That’s what the part-time job is for. I’m on my own for financing my (expensive) hobbies.</p>

<p>impersonations and Erin’s Dad:
2400 SAT
800 - World History, Biology E, Literature
790 - Math II
750 - Chemistry
5 - Comp Gov, Env Sci, Psych.
I didn’t take the PSAT, unfortunately. This year, I’m taking the SAT French with Listening, AP Lang, APUSH, AP Calc AB, AP Art History, and AP US Gov.</p>

<p>I have a 4.0 from a few online OSU courses and dual-enrollment with the CC. NC resident.</p>

<p>susgeek: I don’t know how Mt. Holyoke’s awesome equestrian program slipped by me. Reminds me of Earlham, another that I’m really interested in but forgot to put on my list. Will be looking into Mt. Holyoke more. Thanks!</p>

<p>Southlandguy: My main concerns with Reed and Swat are actually that they’re too pressure-cookery for me. The third leg of the super intellectual group, UChicago, is less intimidating for whatever reason, but I think I want more undergrad emphasis. To be fair, I have much more digging to do, so we’ll see.</p>

<p>I don’t think they would hang me, but Reed’s (and Wesleyan’s, for that matter) political climate is still slightly worrisome. Looking into it.</p>

<p>St. John’s is intriguing. I like the idea of the Great Books curriculum. I’m put off by the size, but I’ll definitely research it further. Thanks for your input (and the welcome)!</p>

7

<p>Seaglass, you sound like you would jibe well with the Tufts’ community. Seriously, your description of what you want fits Tufts well.</p>

<p>Best of luck!</p>

8

<p>St.John’s is a ‘case’ all right.* Very hard to compare it with other schools.* And it’s indeed small, otoh it has two entirely separate (and very different!) campuses each in a pretty spectacular location.* As much as I worship their curriculum, I’m not sure I’d have survived four years there though.* Very much a classical education for the few who are still interested in such.* That’s me, in an alternate life.</p>

<p>Chicago (along with Berkeley, Harvard, and others) was always criticized for emphasizing graduate education at the expense of its undergraduates.* However I think they’ve made some serious strides in addressing that criticism in recent years.* Personally I couldn’t survive winter in southside Chicago but that’s just me.* It’s a knockout school imho.</p>

<p>Reed in my view is less of a pressure cooker than Swat, and a lot more flakey.* (Please Reedies don’t smack me!* Because I actually like both schools a lot.* They’re just different.)* I’ve known a lot of Swatties actually: every one was ambitious, driven, disciplined, and, alas, a tad cynical.* But my sample size is relatively small!</p>

<p>No one at Reed or Wesleyan will hang you, unless perhaps you try making a serious argument in favor of Donald Trump’s presidential candidacy or some such.* If you hate lefties, avoid both campuses (and indeed many among your selections).* Otherwise don’t sweat it.</p>

<p>All of your choices are stellar in my view, except for Beloit, about which I know relatively little.* From your stats I’d also say you’ll hit at least half of them for entry, quite likely more. Onward and upward!</p>

9

<p>Glad to see Grinnell on your list. Although smaller than your preferred size, it meets all the other criteria, including the equestrian program. Also, among the schools listed, Grinnell is one of the few that offers merit aid in additional to meeting full financial need. (I think Beloit does as well. Not sure about Bryn Mawr.)</p>

<p>Take a look at Oberlin too. A little larger, somewhat more granola, excellent if you are into music as a result of the conservatory.</p>

10

<p>Also make sure that you double check the financial aid policies of the schools you are interested in. You have a low EFC, but not all schools will give you a package you can afford.</p>

<p>I have two kids in school, and each of their EFC’s are similar to yours - and our balance due is NOT our EFC. Talk to your parents about what they can afford as well.</p>

<p>So make sure you add a state school (the state you live in) to your list.</p>

11

<p>If you are looking for a vibrant campus and a strong sense of community, along with students that have a good time while also taking their classes seriously, then you should look at Whitman College. The outdoor program is very active and the students are liberal but very accepting of each other. Walla Walla is a great little town.</p>

12

<p>Take a look at Middlebury College…</p>

13

<p>Even with your low EFC, you may wind up being asked to pay more–possibly considerably more…most if not all the schools on your list will also require the CSS profile, which will include non-custodial parent income (I’m not sure if that’s your situation, just wondering since you said you and your mom talked money).</p>

<p>CSS schools will also look at things like home equity, etc.</p>

<p>So–what I’m saying is, if you can really only fund around 3k/year, please, please add some financial safeties to your list. With your stats you will probably qualify for huge scholarships at some slightly lower-tier LACs; also consider an in-state school, too, which would usually be FAFSA-only and likely will have the lowest cost in the end.</p>

<p>Good luck!</p>

14

<p>First, thank you all so much for your responses.</p>

<p>paperplane:
I had no idea. I didn’t even think to consider the CSS profile. Thanks for your post. I went through each school’s site and found that almost every college on my list uses it - Grinnell, Beloit, and Earlham don’t. I noticed Wooster also doesn’t require it, so I’ll look further into it as well.</p>

<p>My parents are divorced, yes. I know my dad just gained employment and am unsure of his income. I’m certain it’s low, though. From my brother’s experience with this (at a FAFSA only school), I know that he won’t contribute financially. Will this be considered in my aid package? I saw many schools had a NCP form to fill out. There’s also a whole new dimension to this - I was hanging out with my grandma today and she said that she could contribute a “couple thousand” every year if necessary. I have no idea how that would play into this. I guess I should get comfortable with the FA forum. I’m also looking into Questbridge, though I don’t know if I’m exactly their target applicant.</p>

<p>MiddKidGR:
Will do.</p>

<p>bopambo:
Whitman sounds like a great fit. The outdoors program is a definite plus. I’m disappointed by the absence of an equestrian program of some kind, but Whitman is one I’ll keep in consideration for sure.</p>

<p>susgeek:
Yep, doing so! I’m so glad I decided to post - knowing I might not have ever realized the financial ramifications of all of this until crunch-time is nightmarish. UNC is definitely a given, though I’m unsure if it’s a safety for in-staters these days. It might be wise to add UNC-Asheville as well, I suppose.</p>

<p>M’s Mom:
I am REALLY liking Grinnell, haha. It’s definitely one of my top choices. The religion department doesn’t seem very robust, but if I want an LAC, taking stock of my priorities might be in order. Something to think about, I guess. Grinnell seems like a cute little town, too.</p>

<p>Oberlin is on the radar. I really like the size, and I’m perfectly fine with granola, so it might be a winner.</p>

<p>Southlandguy:
Ha, yeah, I’m actually fairly liberal, but I like tolerance (or acceptance?) of different political views at the very least. I know Wes has had some very vocal conservatives on campus in the last few years and I’m a big fan of the school overall, so I think it’s here to stay on the list. Swat is one I might be able to visit, so I guess I’ll see for myself eventually! Reed, otoh, is a wild card. Its reputation is a bit of a double-edged sword - I like how well-prepared grads are for a PhD, but am not entirely sure about fit.</p>

<p>At this point, I think UChicago is getting an EA application. The brilliant people there are enough incentive to look past the ferocious Chicago weather, though I’d definitely rather be staring at a palm tree/snowcapped mountain view at Pomona than trudging through brutal winds and snow, haha.</p>

<p>I definitely agree with you about St. John’s. In an alternate universe, sure, but I think it comes down to being too small for me. In a way, that’s both liberating and disappointing, haha. The Great Books curriculum is truly amazing.</p>

<p>buzzers:
That seriously made my day. Tufts is my #1 (albeit tied with Pomona, in the interest of full disclosure). I would probably die of happiness if I got in and it was affordable, which would be unfortunate since I would be unable to attend postmortem.</p>

<p>Guys, I’ll try to make a longer, more rambly post next time. This one is obviously lacking in the length department.</p>