Too Many Reach Schools?

<p>Hey-- I'm already into my college search and sent out some applications-- but I'm just wondering which colleges are best for a person is largely unsure of what they want to major in. I mean, a liberal arts college leaves no chance of going into engineering, and vice versa. If anyone could give me a list of colleges that are very well-rounded or good for a person who doesnt know what major to pick, that would be appreciated. I'm generally looking for a higher level college b/c:
class rank 1 /700
GPA uw: 4.00 weighted: 4.95
ACT 35
SAT 700/750/700
extra curriculars/ service: yadda yadda yadda I don't wanna bore you like many other people, highlights: national merit semifinalist, varsity cross-country</p>

<p>I already applied to Stanford EA but also considering the following:
Harvard(what the hell)
Princeton
Penn
Dartmouth
Wash U
Northwestern
Johns Hopkins
U Michigan</p>

<p>I'm think about narrowing the list cuz apps take time + money but can anyone give me suggestions on my list? Do I hav too many reach schools? Do I need more safety? chances/ other school suggestions would be greatly appreciated! thx!</p>

<p>Overall, I'd say your list is too top-heavy. Overall you will be fairly competitive but still identical in many respects to most other candidates at Stanford, Harvard, Princeton, UPenn, and Dartmouth. Still, you didn't tell us that much about yourself. What classes are you taking? What other clubs are you involved in? How long have you been involved? Any AP's, SAT II's, awards? What about recommendations?</p>

<p>You are first in your class and have a killer GPA and have solid test scores. But if I am an admissions officer and I see that your EC list says "varsity cross-country" but nothing else, I will be wondering what's up. If you provide more information about your extra-curriculars and test scores and classes and stuff, we'd be able to provide a better answer. Overall, Stanford, Harvard, Princeton, UPenn, and Dartmouth are all reaches for you, I'd say, given what you've listed so far. The remaining four schools on your list are probably high mid-range schools. U Michigan may fall on the lower end of mid-range, depending on where you live, but overall I don't see any sure-fire schools on your list. You may wish to cut down on some of those reaches and think about adding in a safer school or two.</p>

<p>As far as schools that are well-rounded in most areas, any large university should do. In reality, there really are few colleges that flat out stink in any one area. All those schools on your list have good all around academics in nearly every area. I think Stanford is probably better for a lot of sciences, and Johns Hopkins has excellent biomedical research programs. Princeton obviously has some rock-solid liberal arts programs, but when you take a look at all of your colleges as wholes, all of them have solid programs in nearly every area.</p>

<p>My advice: cut out one or two of the Ivies, and find a couple safer options. This will bring some balance to your list, for there are no schools that you are nearly guaranteed to be accepted into. Again, there's a lot of schools out there. Think of some interests you have, what type of campus you want, etc., and start researching.</p>

<p>You have a relatively high academic index because of your rank, so one or more of the Ivies could come through. But you don't seem to have any ECs which will be a killer. If you have them, list them, cause they matter.</p>

<p>Don't waste your time on the Harvard and Princeton apps, its not happening. </p>

<p>You need to hedge your bets by applying to enough places though.</p>

<p>Your list overall is pretty good. I'd say:</p>

<p>Stanford: Big Reach
Harvard(what the hell): Big Reach
Princeton: Big Reach
Penn: Reach
Dartmouth: Reach
Wash U: Slight Reach
Northwestern: Slight Reach
Johns Hopkins: Slight Reach
U Michigan: Safe match</p>

<p>My advice is to add emory as a match just in case you get unlucky and maybe a couple safe matches/ safeties you really like. Check out UNC-CH or other state schools that are more stats oriented.</p>

<p>Aight here's my extracuricculars, if it matters much.
Cross-country 9,10,11,12
Les Miserables theatre production -actor/singer 10
Beauty & Beast -actor/singer 11
Chamber Choir 11/12
Constitution Team -12
Asian Club - 12 (not asian.. is that bad?)
Job at Oberweis Dairy -worked from 08/2004 - 09/2005</p>

<p>AMC 12 Certificate of Achievement -10
AMC 12 Certificate of Distinction (basically getting over 100) - 10, 11
Social Science Award - 9,10,11
Foreign Language Award - 9, 10, 11
High Honor Roll - 9, 10, 11
National Merit Semifinalist 12
Physical Education Leadership award - 12
National AP Scholar - 11</p>

<p>AP Tests
Euro History - 4
BC Calc - 5
US History -5
will take AP Chem, AP US gov, AP comp gov, AP Eng lit</p>

<p>Classes:
Acc Eng 1/ Acc Eng 2/ Acc Eng 3/ AP Eng
Acc Geometry-trig/ Acc Precalc/ AP BC Calc/ Multivariable Calc.
Acc bio/ Acc chem/ acc. phys/ AP Chem
Acc World hist/ AP Euro history/ AP US history/ AP US & Comp Gov.
Acc Spanish 2/ Acc Spanish 3/ Acc Spanish 4/ -no more spanish-
various drama, broadcasting, choir, and PE classes</p>

<p>Probably doesn't change things much, I know I didn't base my life around college apps, yet any more school suggestion that would be better 'match' or 'safety' would be greatly appreciated. Thx. Also, i hav an identical twin brother-- would i be able to exploit that somehow as giving me unique perspective? just a thought lol</p>

<p>bumpity bump bump</p>

<p>btw i don't live in michigan is that a huge screwing for getting accepted at u of mich?</p>

<p>I think those stats are competitve. Although, I do agree, a bit top heavy in my opinion. I wish you well, you're a strong applicant regardless. I would even dare to say if you write a very strong essay that stands out in the AdCom's mind, and some killer recommendations, you are sealed at one or more of those schools on the list.</p>

<p>Living out-of-state when applying to Michigan does leave you at a disadvantage; only 30% of Michigan-AA's students are from out-of-state. Again, you are competitive at all your schools, but you don't stand out at any one of them, so admission to a certain one isn't guaranteed. I agree with White Materia; you will need some good rec's and essays. Good luck :)</p>

<p>You appled to Stanford EA but call yourself "goBears"? ;)</p>

<p>hey i wanted to register quickly so i could reply to someone and didnt bother to get creative. FYI though, chicago bears are first in their division which is amazing cuz they have been terrible for a long time. Not that anyone in this forum is interested though, lol.</p>

<p>btw... can anyone suggest schools? that would be great help</p>

<p>what makes you think his/her odds are so low? a valedictorian in a large class w/ a 35 ACT should be in good shape, right? I suppose the EC's are nothing special but w/ those stats a good essay might be all it takes for many of the top schools to come through.</p>

<p>That being said, goBears unless you really like Michigan I would apply to another less selective school (i.e. in the 20-40 range).</p>

<p>When u say 20-40 range, u mean...? srry i don't have all the lingo down yet on this site. I thought CC meant cross-country and EC meant extra credit. lol any help appreciated</p>

<p>U Chicago would be a safe match</p>

<p>Northwestern and JHU are probably matches, if not safe matches</p>

<p>I thought U of Chicago was a good school, but ppl have told me bad things-- like that there is a cuthroat competition for grades there and that the social life is barren. One person told me that U of chicago is 'on its way down' while northwestern is 'on its way up'-- watever that means. Any thoughts?</p>

<p>No, you misunderstood what I was trying to get. :) It just happens Berkeley students use "GoBears" for their teams. Stanford loves screwing the bears (hopefully not you).</p>

<p>LOL I don't really follow college ball but I guess I should!</p>

<p>Add Duke, Colgate, Hamilton, GW, AU.</p>

<p>Thx for ur list of schools Mensa, but why Duke? A lot of ppl say my list is top heavy- isn't Duke a reach school?</p>

<p>Duke is basically an Ivy safety, one level below your reaches. Wash U is hard if they don't think you will go there.</p>

<p>By 20-40 I meant 20-40 ranked schools. Some good examples would be Emory, Vanderbilt, William & Mary, Boston College, or Boston University. These should be near safeties for you, but I'd still apply to your best state school (is that Michigan?) just in case.</p>