<p>In order of difficulty: FSU, New College of Florida, Bowdoin, Vassar, Brown, and Stanford </p>
<p>My stats: 28 ACT (will retake in October), golden EC's (4+ years of participating), hard academic rigor (AP, IB, and dual enrollment), African-American male, and single-parent household.</p>
<p>What I'm looking for in a college: a community that values learning, but still has the "work hard, play hard" atmosphere. I want to go to a school that has prestige/reputation and proximity to a major city, preferably not more than a bus/subway away. A large gay population would be a plus. I'm interested in majoring in International Relations or Economics.</p>
<p>However, as I begin applying, something feels weird about this list. I'm not sure why. I have visited New College and am visiting Bowdoin, but there's something awkward about it and I can't pinpoint whether I should remove or add schools.</p>
<p>I assume FL is your home state? How much can your family afford for school? As you know all your schools outside FL are reaches. Are you happy with FSU and New College if you don’t make it into the others?</p>
<p>FL is my home state. My EFC will be $0 (according to various calculators and such), so that is why I am looking towards schools that will be able to meet 100% of my demonstrated need, with little regard for loans and, instead, term-jobs and grants. </p>
<p>I do not feel entirely settled if I were to only be accepted into New College and FSU. The former was my first choice, but there are some things that New College is lacking that I was looking for in my typical college experience, which has drawn me to seek other schools with similar flexibility in their programs. </p>
<p>Ideally, I would like to go to a school that I am able to design my major, which is why I’m hesitant to apply to FSU. It’s my essential safety.</p>
<p>You need some matches, all you had is many high reaches and 2 safties. I am not sure if FSU will meet your financial needs, but if it does, its your financial safty. You may want to find some private schools that will give you a lot aids with your stats.</p>
<p>What is your intended subject and why are you looking into design your own program? Does IR and Economics not broad enough for you?</p>
<p>You definitely need more matches. Your list is very short, particularly if you need significant financial aid. BTW, your definition of proximity to a major city is not really met by Vassar, and even less so by Bowdoin, although both are great schools.</p>
<p>Your ACT is low for the caliber of schools on your list. Have you taken SATIIs, and if so, how did you do? What is your GPA/class rank? If you aren’t able to bring your ACT up several points, and if you have a good GPA and class rank, you should look for some more test-optional schools.</p>
<p>An active student body with various clubs to join. I know there are a few, but most of them do not spark my interests. I’ve read and heard that the social scene is very repetitive. And, it’s in Sarasota. </p>
<p>My UW GPA is calculated different than most schools.</p>
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<p>I have a variety of interests that I want to explore, so I’d like the opportunity to be able to take courses outside my intended study. Also, I want to learn (but not necessarily become fluent in) more than one language. I know most IR programs require you to intensely study one language, so that already takes up a majority of the courses I will be able to have free.</p>
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<p>Thank you for your help! I am pretty set on the schools I have listed though. What advice would you give in order to help find matches? I have read numerous threads on CC where people ask for specific LACs, but most of the ones listed don’t spark an interest. Perhaps it’s because I have a biased view? I know it’s late in the game, but how should I go about finding more schools that are better suited for my stats?</p>
<p>Sarah Lawrence may be a good pick for you. It’s similar to Vassar, but I think you may have a better chance of acceptance. And NYC is right there!</p>
<p>Macalaster is often mentioned for international relations, it’s in a city (minneapolis) and is easier to get into than Bowdoin. Maybe GW or American would be more of a match. Some schools (i.e. Middlebury which is great for international studies and languages) take 3 SAT II’s in lieu of SAT I or ACT, so if those scores are good that’s an option.</p>
<p>A bit confused about the question, but I’m looking for need-based aid. Merit-aid will work if my stats are on the upper percentile. I would like to avoid loans at all costs, because I can go to school in my state (Florida) without having to take out a loan. If it comes to the point of a loan vs. no loan, I would definitely decline the school that offered me a loan within their FA.</p>
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<p>I opted to take the ACT to avoid any of the SATs. However, I did study for the SAT Bio test during the summer just incase. I may have to take the offer. Which other schools follow similar policy?</p>