The Match Game

College Search & Selection
1

<p>I am in dire need of match-school suggestions. Currently, I have only one such school on my list (Case Western [EA]) and only one safety (Ohio State <--in-state). I also plan on applying to several reach schools--among them, Vanderbilt, Duke (ED), and Rice. Since I have the requisite numbers for admission to OSU, I don't feel that another safety is necessary. However, I feel that having two or three more match schools couldn't hurt if, unfortunately, all three reach schools fall through.</p>

<p>Anyway, I hope to major in BME (possibly double major in math) and go to school in an urban area. I would also prefer colleges with madium to large student bodies.</p>

<p>Here are my stats, if they will help...</p>

<p>Current Rank 5/295</p>

<p>Current GPA 3.98</p>

<p>Standardized Test Scores
ACT
Composite-35
English-34
Math-36
Reading-35
Science-35
English/Essay-30 (Yeah... I'm the worst at timed writing)</p>

<p>SAT
Total-2210
Critical Reading-680
Math-800
Writing-730</p>

<p>Schedules of Classes
Freshman
Honors Physical Science: A+
Honors Algebra II: A+
Spanish II: A
Intro. to Media / Health: A / A
English 9: A-
World Studies: A</p>

<p>Sophomore
Honors Biology: A+
Precalculus: A+
Spanish III: A+
Newspaper Production I: A
Honors English 10: A+
U.S. History: A+</p>

<p>Junior
Chemistry C.P.: A+
Physics I: A+
A.P. Calculus B.C.: A+
Spanish IV: A+
Newspaper Production II: A
Honors American Literature / Expository and Research Writing: A+ / A+</p>

<p>Senior Schedule
Honors Chemistry
A.P. Biology
Calculus II and III at local non-community college
Newspaper Production III
A.P. English Language
American Government / Sociology</p>

<p>ECs
Student Newspaper 10-12 with leadership position for 12
Baseball 9-12, Varsity 11 and 12
Ping-Pong Club 9-12
Math Tutor 11-12
Hospital Volunteer 11-12 (~100 hours under Radiology Dept.)</p>

<p>Thanks too much for taking the time to read all of this; I hope you can help!</p>

2

<p>what are you looking for in a school? you have potential for top schools.</p>

3

<p>Boston University?</p>

4

<p>It looks like the schools you listed as reaches might actually be matches. The only doubt I have is that you don’t have as many honors or AP courses, but that may just be because your high school simply didnt offer as many.</p>

5

<p>Vandy, Duke and Rice are select enough that they should be seen as reaches by anyone. I don’t know how your set for money (if you need merit aid) but Reed might be a good choice, though it has a small student body.</p>

6

<p>@ Erin’s Dad: My parents tell me not to let finances become a factor in my ultimate decision, but I would like to attend either a school like Duke or Vandy that covers demonstated need or a school like Case that offers ridiculous amounts of merit scholarships because I may want to go on to grad or professional school, and doing so without much or any debt would be fantastic. Also–I should have mentioned this–nothing about LACs appeals to me at all.</p>

<p>@ Vigilent: I share the same doubt you do; my school offers ~10 APs, but most of them are in areas that simply don’t interest me (i.e. USH, Studio Art, etc.). Additionally, my school doesn’t make available Advanced Placement courses in Physics or Chemistry. However, I will graduate having taken all but one or two honors classes offered.</p>

<p>@ Schmaltz: Thanks for the suggestion! I will certainly look into BU.</p>

7

<p>Is Johns Hopkins on your list?
GW, BU, Syracuse, Tulane, Pitt, Southern Cal, Texas</p>

8

<p>@ huskem: Thanks for the post! I did previously consider JHU, but I eventually decided to cross it off of my shortlist because of (1) the difficulty of getting into the BME program and (2) the cutthroat competition between science-related majors.</p>

9

<p>It sounds like you’ve really done your homework here - that’s a great list of schools you have, and I’d tend to agree with your categorization of reach/match/safety. Good that you considered JHU, and even better that you rejected it for YOUR needs.</p>

<p>I won’t add to your list of reaches, but I’d second BU as a match and add Wisconsin-Madison (if it’s urban enough for you) or perhaps Tulane. With your stats, I think you could feel pretty good about your choices next spring if those were your 7-8 apps. Good luck!</p>

10

<p>Boston University and the University of Pittsburgh –> add to your list</p>

11

<p><em>lightbulb comes on</em> BME=Johns Hopkins.But I don’t know- maybe you consider that a reach for you.</p>

12

<p>Thanks a lot Knowitsome! I appreciate it.</p>

<p>@ pacificvista: I agree that JHU would fall into the reach category, but I’m pretty sure it’s off my list for good.</p>

<p>So it looks like the most popular suggestions are: BU, Pitt, and Tulane… Any others out there?</p>

13

<p>I’ll second BU and Pitt.</p>

<p>Also consider Georgia Tech. I’d say your stats are a match, and it has everything you’re looking for.</p>