<p>I'm from Minnesota. I go to a small private high school and I'm in the middle of applications right now. I'm starting to get anxious about my choices, could you tell me if I'm being realistic? I don't care about size, location, or tuition, for now. Weather doesn't matter, and I would apply and see the aid package before discounting a school I love. I only want a college that is challenging and not competitive. Discussion based is good, open curriculum helps too. Obviously the teachers should be good. I guess you need info</p>
<p>unweighted GPA is 3.96ish
ACT is 34
class doesn't rank
I'm taking four AP classes, which is all my school offers, ha
five years of spanish + pseo spanish credit
hundred hours volunteering at a hospital, volunteering at a college radio station
cross country, ultimate frisbee
3 jazz bands, varying age levels and things, one is a charity based one which is cool
st. cloud state honor band
clubs and things</p>
<p>I'm accepted at the U of M Twin Cities
I'll probably apply to the U of Mich and the U of Wisc because they're "safeties"
Brown
NYU
Bowdoin
Pomona (I really like the Claremont college system, is there a better one for me?)
Carleton
Oberlin
Emory</p>
<p>How do those look? There are probably a ton of reaches but not really any matches. Also, SUGGESTIONS would be great. If you know any similar colleges, I still have time, probably</p>
<p>List looks good to me. Brown is a reach for everyone regardless of stats. You don’t have to worry about safeties since you’ve got a Minnesota acceptance in hand. The rest are matches.</p>
<p>I’m accepted at the U of M Twin Cities
I’ll probably apply to the U of Mich and the U of Wisc because they’re “safeties”
Brown
NYU
Bowdoin
Pomona (I really like the Claremont college system, is there a better one for me?)
Carleton
Oberlin
Emory</p>
<p>Congrats on U of M. My only quip about this list is that I don’t think you should look at UMich as a safety. Realistically, you have a solid shot of getting in, but being from out of state makes it that much harder to gain acceptance. Additionally, if you’re looking for a straight safety, my advice to you would be GW, Tulane, or UMiami. I know you don’t foresee yourself going there, but it’s always a safe bet to apply to a school you have a high chance of getting into–you’ll feel more secure going forward in the process.</p>
<p>Check out Grinnell and Bates-both matches, especially if you are a guy. If you want to go more urban, Vassar is a match if you are a guy and a reach if you are a girl.</p>
<p>Thanks so much for the suggestions! One more question though, is Pomona the right Claremont college to apply to? I already applied, but I’m really interested in the group of schools. It seems like Harvey Mudd is more science and math stuff, so that leaves Claremont McKenna and Pitzer.</p>
<p>Yes Pomona is the right Claremont school if you’re looking for perhaps the best LAC education in America , unless you want to go into Engineering (Harvey Mudd), or are more pre professionally inclined (Claremont Mckenna).</p>
<p>Pomona is the toughest Claremont school to get into and is one of the best LAC in the US. I would add Claremont McKenna (pol sci, discussion based, LAC, not as selective as Pomona but still up there) and Pitzer. Pitzer is more hippie-ish and the easiest to get into. Would be a good match/safety and you can take class at any one of the other colleges.</p>
<p>Pitzer could be a solid safety, but the campus is a little bit more stereotypical Californian than the others. Claremont McKenna is great if you want to get involved in the Social Sciences while wanting to apply to a school that is easier to get into than Pomona (I’d say for Social Sciences I might even prefer CMC).</p>
<p>Bobby, I haven’t ruled it out, but I also have largely ignored it for some reason, even though I’m less than two hours away. I’ll do some research, and it helps that the deadline is Jan. 15th.</p>
<p>Books and Inquiring, do you really think Pitzer could be considered a safety? I’m not trying to call you out, I’m just curious, because that would be awesome. The acceptance rate is much higher than Pomona, and I am from the midwest, but I always thought that all of the Claremonts were really hard to get into.</p>
<p>From what I’ve read, Vassar’s social scene is extremely laid back, mostly stuff in dorms. I have also read that if you want a bigger party, the hour and a half ride to Manhattan is the best option. Is that true? It seems like an amazing school academically, but I was hoping to be able to forget my classes on the weekend. Many of the other colleges I’ve looked at were described as “work hard, party hard” but Vassar seems like it parties soft. Does anyone know what’s up?</p>
<p>Pitzer is probably more of a match than a safety. Make sure you have a couple true safeties on your list. I do think you have a good chance at Pitzer.</p>
<p>I don’t want to be nitpicky or anything, but Claremont Mckenna is not easier to get into than Pomona. For the record, Claremont McKenna and Pomona had acceptance rates of 15.7 %. But its a lot more career based (econ, business, international relations) and more conservative (I only know from heresy but apparently it is right leaning moderate). I read on a thread once that Claremont Mckenna students stereotypically are focused on making 7 figures in some sort of business enterprise (and there is nothing wrong with that), while Pomona students are more drawn to making a difference in the world.</p>
<p>XC, some research of my own has turned up a similar contrast tween those two. I’ll take Pomona then, thank you. (as if it’s my decision now!)</p>
<p>Theresa, Wash U seems like a nice academic school, but the size is kind of impersonal and it fights so hard to earn prestige that it scares me. There are too many options there, 1500 courses!? If you can convince me that it rocks, please do, I’m all for falling in love with schools. Jan 15, so its an option.</p>
<p>Vossron, yes! I was hoping to apply to 3 or 4 Jan 15th schools, and right now it looks like Carleton, Oberlin, Emory, and Reed. I just want to be sure that I would love it there. Other colleges I’m throwing around are Whitman, Colgate, GW, Grinnell, and Macalester.</p>
<p>This is fun, picking out a four year learning and self discovery vacation! Spendy though, isn’t it?</p>
<p>funk: I love how you refer to college as your “4 year learning and self discovery vacation”. I wish more students and parents thought of it that way. Very healthy!</p>