<p>Hi! I've reached a point in my college search that I want to expose it to the world for revision. </p>
<p>Stats:</p>
<p>GPA: 4.7
Rank: 1/93
SAT: 2310
Rigorous course load at high school. I literally took AP courses not previously offered!
SAT II: 790 Bio E/M, 780 Math 2, and 800 Spanish Language, 800 Chemistry.</p>
<p>Not many extracurricular activities at my school. I've maxed out choir, theater, debate, and academic competition awards!</p>
<p>List: </p>
<p>High Reach-
Harvard
Columbia
Yale
UChicago
Princeton
Stanford</p>
<p>Assuming you live in Texas, UT Austin is a safety for you. You will almost certainly qualify for Plan II if that interests you. Anything you’re looking for in particular? What can your family afford, and what do the NPCs of the various schools say you’ll get? For the record you’re competitive for virtually every school in the country.</p>
<p>Okay, I’ll make the UT switch then. I’m looking for a strong music program, either a metroplex or ultra rural town, 4 seasons, great academics, distance doesn’t matter. </p>
<p>Financially, I get my first year paid for by my high school and my parents will handle the rest. They’ve had 4 kids go through college and have been paying loans off up until now. A lot of extra money is available now without those bills. They don’t want loans and neither do I. They say anything is manageable.</p>
<p>With the exception of Northwestern your list is fine albeit long. I would consider Northwestern a high reach.</p>
<p>If you haven’t yet thought about it, consider applying to one of your high reach universities early action (Princeton, Stanford, Yale, Harvard. University of Chicago) or early decision (Columbia). If you choose EA and get an offer, you can focus exclusively on the the other high reach colleges for regular decision. ED is binding, so unless Columbia is your top pick you may not want to go ED.</p>
<p>You need to clarify your money situation. Do you need financial aid? If yes, do you qualify for need based aid? Many of the schools on your list do not offer merit aid.</p>
<p>Agree, choose one for early, preferably EA, but if finances are not a worry, then ED is okay too If accepted you can narrow your list. If denied or deferred you can recalibrate. </p>
<p>Oberlin seems the small liberal arts outlier on your list. You might add a few more LACs. Williams has a strong music program (plus ultra rural). There are others.</p>
<p>Submit a music supplement to your application even if you don’t intend to major in music.</p>
<p>Financial aid ha always been murky waters for my family. We’ve talked about it and all agree we can contribute 25,000-30,000. NYU and USC are my worries with money. </p>
<p>On early action, I’m torn between Harvard, Yale, Princeton, and Columbia. All four have joint programs with astounding music schools in some form or fashion that would lea to a Master’s in Music by a fifth year. I’m thinking whichever has the stronger chemistry program. That’s another question I have. I know that chemistry will be strong in all of those schools, but which one sticks out?</p>
<p>Oberlin has caught my eye for a long time. A strong college and conservatory on the same campus. LACs in general don’t interest me, but there is an exception to every rule!</p>
<p>The music supplement is a must, then! I’ve gotten Outstanding Vocalist on my solo at a state competition. 10,000 competitors in the state, and 305 were awarded that. I’m hopeful that this will give me a boost. Voice in Texas is extremely competitive especially when you don’t just compete against small schools like your own but every school in the state!</p>
<p>Do any of the four have a UROP? If so, that may mean that they place the heaviest value on substantial undergrad research although at all schools doing research as an undergrad should not be an issue. You may wish to go to the individual school forums and ask there.</p>
<p>Btw, any particular reason you’re not considering University of Rochester? It will almost certainly give you merit as will USC.</p>
<p>I’ll look into the UROP. I’m not entirely sure. I know that Yale places heavy emphasis on research and Columbia!</p>
<p>I’ve never really got “bitten” by the University of Rochester “bug”. The school has never interested me. The vibes I get from it aren’t what I’m looking for in a college. I shouldn’t be so dismissive, but it just doesn’t wok for me even though I’ve never visited!</p>
<p>U of Miami has good music and would be a low match or safety. They seem pretty generous with giving aid too but not really 4 seasons.</p>
<p>UGA has an up and coming music program and that could be a good safety. If you’re from or have been to Dallas (where I’m from) it has a very similar climate. </p>
<p>I think Indiana University has a really great Music program.</p>
<p>You are auto admit to UT Austin, yes? If that is the case you don’t need to apply to Texas Tech or UNT (Assuming you can afford UT and like it better than those two).</p>
<p>Are auto admits allowed to participate in the music program sans audition? If so then the OP can drop UNT and TT, but if not he should still apply to at least one of the schools even though he’ll be an academic admit to UT.</p>
<p>I don’t think UMich, UGA, and U of Miami are right for me. Yet may have up advising music programs, but I’m a scholar as well a a performer. I’m not doing an injustice to those three they are wonderful schools, and they are options. They just don’t make sense to me.</p>
<p>UNT and Tech will not be dropped. UNT is my music safety where as Tech is my safeties’ safety. It is an hour an a half away from my home and I’ve been to several camps there. I would attend the honors college at both. No worries. Besides if my ambitious mind changes and I want to see my mom more than once a semester then I will consider both of them. I want my college list to reflect every facet of my life just in case I change or my circumstances change. </p>
<p>I think it does this. I appreciate everyone’s responses and thoughts! </p>
<p>Are there any tips about college’s an their financial aid I should keep in mind?</p>
<p>I had a friend this year who was an amazing violinist and trombonist but also a great student who acceled in comp sci and math and was accepted into MIT and Rice. He ended up choosing MIT, because Rice wanted him to choose either music or academics and MIT allowed him to do both. I think since you consider yourself scholar along with a musician it would be a good choice and they’ve actually become a very well rounded school.</p>
<p>Are you a NMF? If so, you qualify for the trutee’s scholarship (can’t remember what it’s called) at USC which, assuming acceptance would be at least a half ride.</p>
<p>I’ve looked seriously at MIT. VERY seriously. My problem is I can’t apply to so many schools without breaking the bank. I may apply for my day’s sake. He’s always doted on MIT. I love the school and I very we’ll may apply. I’m just a serious performer. I would say that I compartmentalize music and academia separately. At a school like MiT I would have to break that barrier down. Which would e great, but I don’t know how I would like it! </p>
<p>I was just answering the response with 1 paragraph. I’m definitely a fan of UMich, but, with Texas schools, my parents and I both don’t see UMich as an option.</p>