<p>I have narrowed down my schools significantly, and I would like some input on which schools to also wack down as it is still a bit large.
Location/size is really varied because I love the small size and focus of LAC along with the sense of community. But since I am extremely undecided about my major, universities offer soo many more major possibilities/classes.</p>
<p>Major--biochem/poli sci/business minor perhaps? I am also most likely going to end up pre-law or pre-med
Essential factors--strong study abroad
Important--diversity, more conservative/politically balanced school, sense of community, less of an insane party school</p>
<p>ACT-32
GPA-3.9 unweighted
URM, female, public school
Rank: Top 5-10%
Applying for financial aid, qualify for Pell Grant and other awards</p>
<p>Reach
Pomona
Claremont McKenna
Williams
Johns Hopkins
Princeton
Columbia
U Penn
Stanford
Rice University
Carleton
Bowdoin
Dartmouth</p>
<p>Target
Middlebury College
University of Rochester
Connecticut College
St Olaf</p>
<p>FSP, I wouldn’t worry too much about choice of majors – whether you end up at a small LAC or a large university you’ll have plenty of options in your areas of interest. Also, study abroad is generally supported at all selective schools (though you’ll need to find out about the specifics on funding).</p>
<p>You might want to think about the physical environment that you’re attracted to as you range from rural urban to suburban to very rural. Perhaps after doing some visiting you’ll lean one way or another which will cut your list down considerably.</p>
<p>The rural schools tend to have less diversity – not necessarily at the school itself, but in the surrounding areas. On the other hand, though, rural schools have a hard time matriculating high achieving URMs and therefore offer a higher chance of acceptance.</p>
<p>Politically I think you’ve done a good job of choosing middle of the road schools (they are ALL liberal, though) but I’d classify Columbia as extremely liberal. You probably don’t need another choice, but I’d suggest that you’d add Wellesley.</p>
<p>I don’t think it would be a problem to pare down your middle (target) range. Some of your reaches are super reaches, some are medium reaches. The key is to find safeties that you’d really like to go to. </p>
<p>Agree with others - Middlebury is a reach. Lots of reach schools, not so many target. </p>
<p>Consider Haverford as a target. Good FA, a bit more to the center than many LACs. Excellent biochem, strong pre-med. Similar campus setting as Ursinus, but much nicer. Diversity (especially when considered with its sister school Bryn Mawr) is pretty good. Not an insane party school, but opportunities.</p>
<p>As for reaches, all will give you the education you seek. Consider paring down based upon campus setting (your preferences) and FA. Just because a school says it will meet all need doesn’t mean it will agree with your interpretation of need, or that they will use entirely grants - you could have sizable loans. Run an EFC calculator, realize that most of these schools will view your EFC as somewhat higher (assume $10,000) and see if you can afford it. Then, consider which schools use loans to meet need vs. those that use only grants.</p>
<p>Haverford may not be any easier to get into than Middlebury. If you can narrow down all those reaches a little (UPenn may be the least like an LAC in size and feel) then it would be helpful to add a match or two from the US News 15-35 range in LACs since, as others have said, Middlebury belongs with Carlton and Bowdoin in selectivity. What about Colby and Trinity? Grinnell? The question is whether you are happy enough with Rochester, Conn College and St. Olaf. I personally don’t think that applying to 12 - 14 schools is terrible.</p>
<p>*Major–biochem/poli sci/business minor perhaps? I am also most likely going to end up pre-law or pre-med
Essential factors–strong study abroad
Important–diversity, more conservative/politically balanced school, sense of community, less of an insane party school</p>
<p>ACT-32
GPA-3.9 unweighted
URM, female, public school
Rank: Top 5-10%
Applying for financial aid, qualify for Pell Grant and other awards*</p>
<p>Do you have a non-custodial parent? If so, will that parent fill out NCP paperwork and contribute towards your college costs?</p>
<p>Which URM are you?</p>
<p>Essential factors–strong study abroad
Important–diversity, more conservative/politically balanced school, sense of community, less of an insane party school</p>
<p>I think nearly all schools have strong study abroad programs. :)</p>
<p>As for the party element. Don’t take that too seriously. Who cares if some kids in easier majors across campus have time to party? How does that effect you? Those kids won’t likely be in the challenging majors that you’re considering. My kids attend one of the big so-called party schools. It doesn’t affect them at all…one is an Applied Math major and the other is Chemical Engineering major.</p>
<p>Centre is a great safety financially, so I wouldn’t bump it. If all kids had such good safeties, this would be much easier. If financial aid is important, I would look to add to the safety list.</p>
<p>I am African American URM, parents together. Partying is something I am considering because if the campus is huge on greek life/drinking, then I won’t be able to enjoy myself and enjoy the college experience.</p>
<p>After some thought, campus community is really important to me. I don’t think I’d like to be in the middle of nowhere, but at the same time, being in an urban school tends to lose that campus feel. My dad isnt willing to do an EFC, so I can only go off of my sister’s college info from filling out the FAFSA this year.</p>
<p>So how about this list (I tried to focus on mostly suburban, less greek, hopefully diverse schools) *denotes schools that don’t fit the bill, but I have no clue where else to look. And some I like bits and pieces of.</p>
<p>MATCH
Carleton*
Colby College*
Connecticut College*
Middlebury (this is a match because I am attending DiscoMIdd; 75-90% of applicants are accepted into the school)
University of Rochester</p>
<p>SAFETY
Centre College
St. Olaf
Trinity University (TX)
Occidental</p>
<p>Because you said less Greek, I was thinking maybe Yale and Brown rather than Dartmouth and Princeton, but I’m not an expert and you should check out those “vs.” threads. Amherst has made a big diversity effort and is not as isolated as Williams, so that might resolve the * you placed by Williams. Middlebury is a great option to have. Just as strong academically as Pomona. I forgot if Swarthmore has been mentioned as an interesting reach and possible suburban intellectual Williams alternative</p>
<p>Williams is remote, but it is in an area with lots of cultural events and opportunities. I’m looking forward to the Williamstown Film Festival this weekend. Being remote also helps in campus community.</p>
<p>Point was that St. Olaf should be a safety, not a target. And if you like St. Olaf, I think you should have Carleton as a reach. Might as well give it a shot.</p>
<p>St. Olaf’s profile is on the rise. Last year 844 students accepted admission, when 770 max was the target. This year will be a very competitive year to get into St. Olaf, as they need to avoid overfilling the school’s dorms, classrooms, etc. My DD has met an amazing array of people there, loves the aesthetic of the campus (gorgeous facilities) and feels completely comfortable on so many levels. She’s a classic overachiever and finds the classes challenging but not impossible. The atmosphere is very collaborative and supportive of other’s opinions. It’s a very tight community of students, teachers and even admins–too many activities to choose from. Do check it out–they also have excellent aid!</p>