Suggestions for schools and chances at my picks?

College Search & Selection
1

<p>Stats:</p>

<p>White female from central Illinois
ACT: 36
SAT: 1470 (720 V, 750 M)
(Note: Both are without writing. I intend to take SAT with writing this fall and send in the ACT as is. Also will be taking SAT IIs)
GPA: 4.3w/4.0
4.0uw/4.0
AP: Psychology - 5
Senior year - AP French, AP US Gov, AP Computer Science
My school doesn't offer AP English, but I plan on taking one or both of the tests.
Other lacking APs due to scheduling issues for the most part, but my school does offer more than I'm taking - will this hurt me? I'm especially worried about the lack of Calculus.
Rank: 1/~360</p>

<p>ECs, Awards, Leadership:</p>

<p>Speech Team (10, 11, 12)
- Regional and Sectional Champion in Prose Reading
- State Finalist (5th place) in Prose
- Many regular season awards in Prose and Dramatic Interpretation
Choir (9, 10, 11, 12)
- 2 years in District Choir, 1 in All-State (3 and 2, depending on next year)
- 3 years in girls' a cappella group
- 1 year in madrigal singers
Musical Theater
- Company in Show Boat, Oklahoma (community) and Music Man, Joseph (school)
- Leads in West Side Story (school) and The King and I (community)
Dance
- 10 years of lessons
- 3 years on dance team (2, however, were in junior high, so not necessarily something I'll put on apps)
- Major choreography for Easter event attended by over 6,000 people
- Participation and minor choreography for other various church events
Piano
- 12 years of lessons (at the end of this year)
- Volunteering - play at church service at nursing home
- Consistently high rankings in annual Piano Guild auditions (superior and superior plus)
Math Team (9, 10, 11, 12)
- Various placements at regional level, including 2nd place in individual geometry, alegbra 2, and 1st in individual pre-calculus
- Placements in group events at state level, individual qualification (don't know specifics - have to look them up)
- Math Honors Society (Mu Alpha Theta)
French Club
- Vice-President
- French National Honors Society
Book Club
- Co-founder
- Vice-President
National Honors Society
Youth Leadership Team at church
State Farm Insurance Internship
Volunteering
- Mostly one-time things through church, but many of them
- Two mission trips to Mexico building houses
- Nursing home piano playing (mentioned above)</p>

<p>What I'm Looking For:</p>

<p>A Core program similar to that of U Chicago or Columbia, but not necessarily required
Semi-conservative, balanced, or at least not overwhelmingly liberal atmosphere
Looking to major in English, History, or Classical Studies
Easily accessible theater and music programs for non-majors
Close to or in city (not as important)
Smaller LAC, though I'm open to anything that's not 40,000 students
Would like possibility of merit aid
Study abroad options</p>

<p>Schools I am Looking at Now</p>

<p>Centre
U of Chicago
Columbia
Davidson
Denison
Furman
Hillsdale
Princeton
Rhodes
Swarthmore
Union
Washington and Lee
Washington University
William and Mary</p>

<p>Yes, it seems rather random at times. But I have reasons.</p>

<p>Does anyone have other suggestions for me? Reasons any of the above may not be what I'm looking for? Advice on which are reach, match, and safety?</p>

<p>All help is appreciated.</p>

2

<p>Eila,</p>

<p>I had a very similar college list to yours. </p>

<p>I can speak from experience in stating that you (should) get a very substantial amount of merit aid and definitely be invited to compete for a full scholarship at Denison, Furman, and Rhodes. </p>

<p>You might actually want to add the LAC that I ended up choosing--Rollins College in Winter Park, Florida. I'm looking at your list of criteria in selecting a school and it looks like we'd be an excellent match school. Rollins is right outside of Orlando, fairly conservative, and has excellent theatre and music programs (in which non majors are definitely welcome to participate). Merit aid possibilites are really good, especially with a new scholarship fund providing for ten full tuition, room and board scholarships each year. In addition, we're one of the top twenty colleges in terms of the percentage of students who study abroad. When you add in the fact that Princeton Review named Rollins its fourthteenth prettiest college campus, you have a fantastic combination. </p>

<p>Irregardless of where you choose to apply, you have a great list of schools and definitely appear to be a person who would do well at any of the aforementioned institutions.</p>

3

<p>I think most of those are 50/50s for you and not reaches, but you're never garunteed admission to any school.</p>

<p>Try looking at Kenyon or Elmira for safeties, very well respected english and literature programs.</p>

4

<p>Eila, I think your list makes sense and has a good balance of selectives and sure bets.
I would suggest that you take a look at Williams. It fulfills the following very well:
Semi-conservative, balanced, or at least not overwhelmingly liberal atmosphere
Looking to major in English, History, or Classical Studies
Easily accessible theater and music programs for non-majors
Smaller LAC
Study abroad options</p>

<p>It's not in or close to a city and no core, though it does have distribution requirements. </p>

<p>What seems to make it a good fit for you are the performance opportunities in music/theater/dance plus the middle-road political environment in the context of rigorous academics with strong departments in English, History and Classics.</p>

5

<p>Eila Tan, LOL. Your list is as random as my D's, AND y'all have 4 of the same schools-Rhodes, Centre, Furman, and Wash U. LOL. To top it off, y'all have virtually the same SAT (D is 1470, with a 730V740M), and presumably ACT math scores. Although you obviously had a better day on parts of the ACT. Both vals. Many similarities. </p>

<p>You have a good list , many with merit opps. I will only really speak to the 4 you have in common, and D has visited W+M and Davidson , also. Top merit awards at these six schools are rare as hen's teeth. Your 36 will stick out but some/most of these schools won't accept it as an admissions tool in lieu of the ACT with writing or the New SAT1. Sorry. Now , I'd send it anyway. I think they will really consider it no matter what the website says.</p>

<p>Rhodes top award finalists (Bellingrath)had over a 1500 last year, I think Furman's (Lay) the same. Both are huge fans of substantial community service. W+M is super stingy with very few merit awards and they are chintzy, at that . Davidson has a number of great awards but you will qualify for few on academics alone. Some are for coach approved student/aths, some for projects and works of art, but some few are for primarily academics and leadership (Belk). Centre, Rhodes, Furman are very generous and with your stats you will likely get a very substantial award. Wash U is also very generous but has percentage wise what appears to be less awards spread over greater numbers than Furman, Rhodes, and Centre. I just thought you needed to know that full-rides at these schools are very difficult and you will face stiff competition. Nothing at a top 50 school (LAC) like these three is easy about a full-tuition or higher award. In my humble opinion my daughter will probably attend one of these three barring acceptance and unexpected FA from one of her reaches, so you know I think they are fantastic schools (and we've visited more than once).</p>

<p>BTW, for Illinois residents Swarthmore has virtually zero in the merit category, and Union has virtually zip for anybody. Wash and Lee has a nice merit program and your stats have you in the mix.</p>

<p>Now , I'll go look at Rollins. LOL.</p>

6

<p>I would try and take Calc if I were you, regardless of how you do in it. I would also add Duke, Dartmouth, Penn, Northwestern, Williams/ Amherst, and maybe Emory. I think you have too many matches/ safeties and need more reaches.<br>
U of Chicago
Columbia
Davidson
Denison
Furman
Hillsdale
Princeton
Rhodes
Swarthmore
Union
Washington and Lee
Washington University
William and Mary</p>

7

<p>Question to those who suggested Rollins: Do you know if it has any classes resembling the Core that I mentioned in my preferences? I've looked on the site, but haven't been able to find much. </p>

<p>Also, momrath, Williams was on my list until a month or so ago. I decided that I only wanted to apply to one of AWS, and was going between Williams and Swarthmore. I'm looking for more of an intellectual atmosphere, and I've heard that Swarthmore has more of an intellectual community and Williams is a little more athletic. Is this true? Is it an unfair generalization? (I realize that any generalization doesn't apply to the whole school)</p>

8

<p>I don’t like to compare AWS point to point as they are all fine schools and have many overlaps in applicants. The physical environment is quite different, so it’s best to visit before making a decision. And, also, all are very selective, so if you like them all apply to all and leave the selecting up to the adcom. :)None offers merit aid, but they are all generous with needbased aid.</p>

<p>You will find intellectual intensity and very smart kids at ALL three. You will also find strength in English, History and Classics at all three. They are all known for rigorous academics, small classes and accessible teaching professors.</p>

<p>Of the three Williams definitely has the best on campus performing arts opportunities. For the entering class of 09, 106 students are accomplished musicians, artists, actors or writers. The performing arts are an important and well funded aspect of Williams ambiance. They have just built a $50 million dollar center for theater and dance and they are actively recruiting kids with theater, dance and music interests – as majors and as ECs. </p>

<p>I would also tend to think that a person who is middle-road politically would be more comfortable at Williams or Amherst than Swarthmore.</p>

<p>Yes, many Williams kids are physically active and many participate in sports and outdoorsy activities; however, non-athletes do just fine. As a dancer, singer and actor you would find a LOT of kindred spirits. The point is more that the kids are multi-faceted and seek a balance of academic, intellectual pursuits with extra curriculars – which is where theater, dance and music come in.</p>

9

<p>did you already describe why you aren't applying to Penn Dartmouth or Duke? They seem similar to some other schools on your list, and they are also in the generally same georgraphical area as others on your list. I mention this because you have a good shot at your schools, so the more the merrier.</p>