Swarthmore, Georgetown, UVA, UCs, and other LACs

Chance Me / Match Me!
1

<p>Hi. I'm posting another thread so soon just because I'd like to have a more balanced list of schools. Before, it was a handful of UCs (I'm in state) and then a couple reaches. I'd really like to go out of state, so I'm wondering how to narrow down my list better. I'd appreciate any advice, as I'd like to get this somewhat cleared up before I decide on which schools to visit this summer. </p>

<p>White Male, Jewish
Public HS in CA, finishing junior year</p>

<p>GPA: 3.89 UW ~4.5 W
SAT: 730CR 780M 700W; 2210T - should I think about taking this again in the fall, or should I not bother?
ACT: 33
SAT Subject Tests: taking 3 this Saturday. Definitely Bio and Chem, not sure about the 3rd one.</p>

<p>AP scores: Human Geo - 4, World History - 5, Chemistry - 4, Pending: English Lang, Bio, US History
Senior Classes: AP English Lit, AP Stat, AP Physics, AP Psych, AP Spanish Lang, AP Art History</p>

<p>EC's: my weak point, but I think I've narrowed down what I'm going to highlight
-Lacrosse: 9th-12th grade; team captain 11th grade. This was my biggest commitment in HS, and our team made it to states every year since 9th grade. I'm going to make sure that I highlight this on the app.
-Surf Team: 10th grade; I only participated in this because it counted as a phys ed credit, but it was a fun experience that I learned from, so I'm including it.<br>
-Peer Mentor: 11th grade; I was a mentor for incoming freshmen and made myself available if they had any questions, etc.
-Chemistry tutor: 10th & 11th grade; Tutored chemistry about 6-7 hours a week
-Volunteer at local hospital: I recently (as in yesterday) found a hospital which will let me volunteer and work in patient discharge. I'll be doing this during the upcoming summer. </p>

<p>Essay and recs: I'm thinking of writing at least one of the essays on how I've been playing piano since I was 2. And I ought to have good recs, at least from my AP Chem and AP Bio teachers. </p>

<p>Schools:
Swarthmore (first choice, might do ED; Also, I contacted the lacrosse coach about playing in college)
Georgetown
UVA
Hamilton
Tulane
Haverford
Franklin & Marshall
UT Austin (legacy)
UC Berkeley
UCLA
UCSD
UC Davis</p>

<p>I'd rather only apply to 7 or 8 schools, so I'm wondering which I should cut out. I'm looking to keep the match schools that are somewhat comparable to Swarthmore (in location and academics, I suppose). Also, since I want to go out of state, I'm wondering if I should knock off UCLA or UCB. I don't really have a preference, so I guess whichever one I have a better chance at is the one I'll keep.</p>

<p>Thanks a lot. Sorry if this was too lengthy.</p>

2

<p>Sorry about this, but bump</p>

3

<p>you’ll get into all the UC’s. You mentioned you want something comparable to Swarthmore in terms of academics. Probably just apply to the UC’s, Swarthmore, Georgetown, and UVA. I’d knock out the rest.</p>

4

<p>Don’t knock off Haverford, though. That is as comparable to Swarthmore as it gets.</p>

5

<p>You didn’t mention finances, so one might assume it isn’t an issue. But just to be sure, are you saying you can afford any school, no problem?</p>

6

<p>Yeah, my parents have been saving for a long time, so any school should be fine. I’m thinking Haverford and Hamilton are the most comparable to Swarthmore. I would knock everything else off but the UC’s, but I don’t really want to go to a UC. I’d really like to go out of state and on the east coast.</p>

<p>Thanks a lot for the replies.</p>

7

<p>Based on your criteria, I think you should apply to UCSD (safety), UCB, Hamilton, and UCLA (low-mid matches), and then Swarthmore, Haverford and Pomona (reaches - if you really want to go out of state then knock off Pomona I guess, but I think it has a similar “atmosphere” to Swarthmore and Haverford). Some lower reaches/high matches that have a Swarthmore-esque vibe: Carleton and Grinnell.</p>

8

<p>I’ve had Carleton and Grinnell recommended to me before, but I’m not crazy about going to college in the midwest. Pomona, however, is a good thought. I’m not sure why I didn’t consider it before, in lieu of UCLA or UCB, although, as you said, it is a reach. Looks like I’m going to have to think this over a bit more. </p>

<p>Also, one more question: what makes Haverford a reach, but schools like Hamilton, Carleton, and Grinnell more on the match side? They all seem to have similar acceptance rates, as well as similar SAT scores and whatnot.</p>