Take a final peek at my list?

College Search & Selection
1

<p>I'll be brief with my stats.</p>

<p>SAT: 2360 (800V/800M/760W)
SAT IIs: 800 Math IIC, 790 U.S. History, 780 Bio M, 730 Chem
APs: haven't received them, took bio & U.S. history this year
GPA: 5.047 weighted (after midterms; possibly higher, since my final grades this year are better than my 1st semester grades)
Rank: top 3 out of 269</p>

<p>Straight A's throughout high school. Took 3 APs junior year (AP English, AP Bio, APUSH), will take 5 senior year (AP Euro, AP English - 2 yr program at my school, AP French, AP Chem, AP Calc). Most rigorous courseload.</p>

<p>Mediocre ECs with 200+ hrs volunteering, NHS, a job, and three clubs I'm dedicated to. Around 10 years of piano. </p>

<p>Asian female (feel free to skip the comment about being a typical Asian).</p>

<p>Assuming that my teachers don't screw me over on recs and that I don't screw myself over on the essay, is this list realistic?</p>

<p>Columbia - ED
Yale
UPenn
Brown
Johns Hopkins
Tufts
Brandeis
BU
NYU
UMass Amherst</p>

<p>Thanks for your time.</p>

2

<p>i think your list looks good...a nice mix of schools</p>

3

<p>It looks reasonable to me, as long as you have considered finances and it seems doable. You will probably get the Columbia ED and not need the rest of it.</p>

4

<p>"You will probably get the Columbia ED and not need the rest of it."</p>

<p>I know that's by no means an indication of the real process, but you made my day. (:</p>

<p>Thanks for the input, ihaterunning and OneMom.</p>

5

<p>Finally, someone whose list of schools have similarities! Good list and good luck.</p>

6

<p>My first reaction is that you have alot of safeties and then a bunch of difficult reaches. You will get into Tufts, Brandeis, BU, NYU, and Umass without a doubt. I would dump BU or NYU and add a couple matches like Northwestern, Cornell, and Rice.</p>

7

<p>Really? I thought those would be reaches, too. And with the admissions process getting more competitive every year, I didn't want to underestimate any school.</p>

<p>Are there any other matches that you would suggest? I thought JHU, Tufts, and Brandeis would be matches for me (well, less so Brandeis).</p>

<p>Amina - Thank you!</p>

8

<p>I think those are really very safe matches. I think the high match/ match category needs some additions.</p>

9

<p>All right, thanks for your input.</p>

10

<p>I thought of Cornell, Northwestern, U Chicago, and Rice for you, too, but figured that you had eliminated them due to geographical reasons. You seem to prefer urban, Northeast coast, which is fine. You are a strong candidate and should get what you want. If you have time this summer, you might want to read one of the how-to-apply-to-Ivies books. I liked Katherine Cohen's first book, haven't read her new one. She emphasizes perfecting the application, attention to detail, trying to convey a sense of yourself as a person, and trying to focus the whole package (app, essays, interview, recommendations) to spotlight you as a unique individual. With your scores, though, you are probably fine and don't really need any of these packaging techniques. The packagers advise people to avoid looking like "another nice, really bright kid". But, sometimes, that is enough, why mess up a good thing and maybe look packaged. Well, if you read any of these books, decide for yourself. I still think that you will get Columbia ED.</p>

11

<p>Yes, you're right. I originally considered Cornell but ruled it out due to location.</p>

<p>UChicago was originally on my list, too, but I'm not getting a rec from an English teacher, so I can't apply.</p>

<p>I think I'm going to add Wellesley to my visiting list and see how it goes. </p>

<p>Thanks a ton for your advice and confidence in my position.</p>

12

<p>I wouldn't call NU, Cornell, or Rice "safe matches," but I'm confident that you would find acceptance at at least one of the three.</p>