<p>I'm trying to finalize my college list (before I give my teachers rec forms, etc.). I know that college lists are usually supposed to have a majority of matches, but mine has an overwhelming majority of reaches. This is what I have so far (classified into where I think I stand):</p>
<p>Reaches:
Yale
Dartmouth
UPenn
Brown
Princeton
Harvard
Duke
Stanford
WashU</p>
<p>Could you please suggest another match school for me? With only two, I'm worried that I'm basically committing myself to my safeties (not that that would be horrible, I like my safeties- just that I want other options). I prefer schools with more than 900 students per class and an enclosed campus-like feel. Thank you so much!</p>
<p>tetrisfan- great schools, but I feel like they're too small for me. I want a school where I can meet new people every day. I go to a relatively small high school (150 students), and I want something totally different. 800 would probably be the smallest I'd go, but preferrably around 1000-3000?</p>
<p>well, most of those schools in your reach category are reaches for everyone else too, considering that admissions at those schools are such a crapshoot. and by the way, colby and hamilton are both around 1800, so they fit into your range.</p>
<p>bosox097- colby and hamilton have about 1800 total undergraduates. each of them only has about 500 undergrads per class. I should clarify my last post- My school has 150 students per class, and the smallest I would go would be 800 students per class.</p>
<p>There are alot of excellent LACs whose academic programs rival many of the schools you're considering applying to. Most LACs have 1000-3000 students, while the schools you're looking at are more like 3000-9000.</p>
<p>tokyorevelation9- thanks! yea, I'm looking more into the northeast since I love cold weather. I'm applying to duke since its very close to my sister and to stanford because I have family in california. but as close-minded as it sounds, my mom would never let me go all the way out to california if it wasnt for a big-name school such as stanford. uva and rice are too southern for me and when I visited lehigh I really didn't like its location/appearance. I'll definitely look into unc and johns hopkins though! I've always thought johns hopkins was too science focused (I want a well-rounded college) but I'll research it further.</p>
<p>onilawliet- yea, I have a bad habit of counting students based on class rather than the entire undergraduate school. so when I meant that I wanted a school with about 1000-3000 students, I meant per class. originally I thought I wanted to attend an LAC, but when I visited a bunch of them I realized how incredibly small they are. they just don't have the atmosphere and extensive course options I'm looking for.</p>
<p>Northwestern is an excellent choice for chemistry, and its certainly cold enough for you in the winter. I'm good friends with a Chemistry major there and she has nothing but good things to say about the school, besides the fact that chemistry is a very tough major. I live in the Chicago area I visit the campus frequently. and despite it being on the large side I think you might like the school.</p>
<p>I don't know as much about chemistry at UChicago in comparison, but I'm very familiar with the school in general, being only 30 minutes from me.</p>
<p>Dartmouth College is also a good choice for Chemistry. My high school AP Chemistry teacher got his B.A. in Chemistry from Dartmouth, so if you would like to talk to him about that school, just PM me and I can give you his contact information. My older brother also attends Dartmouth.</p>
<p>Have you considered Carleton College in Minnesota? Probably one of the best LAC's in the country for sciences.</p>
<p>You should also consider cutting down your reach list to a more manageable number. Do you really like all 7of the 8 Ivys you chose, or are they just on your list for prestige? (also, I don't really think Cornell is match for anyone except maybe someone who's a national award winner or super athelete) Do research on all your reaches, and figure out which ones actually suit your needs. If you're still tied up, do a visit to a least the ones bunched up in the Northeastern corridor. By having fewer schools on your list, you have more time to put effort to your apps.</p>
<p>I think I've chanced you before. That Chemistry Olympiad National Finalist is going to boost your chances by a lot as it is very prestigious and recognized as so by most schools. (Congrats on the accomplishment :)) Therefore, I don't think you should worry TOO much about your schools. I think you should probably cut down your reaches first and then add more matches if you still feel the need to. Try grouping the schools into similar categories based on environment, feel, etc. and cut out a school from each list. Good luck!</p>
<p>By the way, I don't really understand how duke is close to Stanford though (they're on separate sides of the country!)</p>
<p>i agree with princessbell. besides all being in the ivy league, the 8 schools have very different 'feels.' you need to ask yourself besides prestige, what are you seriously looking for in a school?</p>
<p>Erin's Dad- You may be right. The reason I considered it a safety was that many girls from my school are accepted every year. It is generally considered to be a safety school for the top 10% of my class. However, thanks for your advice. I will from now on classify it as a safety/match.</p>
<p>princessbell (& huskem)- thanks for the advice, that is what a lot of people are telling me. if you go to the page I linked to for my stats, I explained my reasons for applying to each individual ivy. Last year I visited a ton of schools in the northeast (including those on my list) and, although it may not seem like it, I did cross a lot off. For example, I realized that I do not like small schools and that I really want a campus-y feel. Also, I am willing to put in the time and effort to apply to so many schools. I know that I am an average applicant and that I only get one chance to apply to college- I don't want to look back and think, "what if...?". And the reason I put Cornell as a match/reach is because I took a summer class there and did well in it (but its still more towards the reach end, I know).</p>
<p>frutiaspice- haha yes, I think you have too. the national finalist status really isnt as big of a recognition as the title implies it to be. I have checked with the olympiad board to make sure I am titling myself correctly, so I am sure that I am. but I hope (and am sure they will) that the college admissions officers realize that it is not that high up in the competition. Also, I know that duke is nowhere near stanford. I have separate family members in each area whom I would love to be close too (plus I have visited and love the schools).</p>
<p>Holy Cross might be a match school and each year's class size is 750-800. HC is very good in sciences and is building a $60 million addition to its science complex. Holy Cross has strong alumni network.</p>
<p>You have a wonderfully accomplished background. Congratulations!! You should be at least competitive at a few of your reach schools. Based only on averages, you should get accepted to (at least) one of them. If you add William & Mary (an excellent chemistry department), Johns Hopkins and a perhaps a good honors program (e.g. University of Texas' Plan II honors) you should be set.</p>
<p>What is, however, troubling and it has been raised by princessbell & huskem but, I believe, insufficiiently answered by you on CC is this, "WHY these schools for YOU." Right now, they look simply like a "dog's breakfast" of the country's most selective universities. You would be wise to spend some time thinking about why a school (or set of schools) is a particular fit for you. This will help you in crafting your essays and it will allow you to guide your teacher in their recommendations on your behalf. Right now the biggest risk you run is coming across as the generically excellent student applying to the generically selective university. You need to develop a sharper and finer point.</p>
<p>^^ Excellent point Ballet Girl. It is a must to do that kind of in-depth research into each school, even if it means perusing the website, online newsletters, and this site with a fine-toothed comb. Unfortunately, the trouble comes when you don't know exactly which kind of school will be the best fit for you. You may think you might like an LAC because of what people say about them and it sounds good, but if you really don't know for sure you might matriculate and end up hating it. </p>
<p>This is process that involves a great deal of research and investigation. I would choose some criteria, and then go through each school and write for each one a list of things that make the school appealing to you (housing, location, activities, academic programs, scholarships/financial aid, study abroad, etc.). </p>
<p>This way, you will see which schools don't add up and eliminate them. Your ideal is to get 10 schools that vary in selectivity, but also be 10 where you would willingly matriculate at any of them.</p>
<p>^^^Very true. It seems like you should figure out what you liked best during those college visits, and then single out all the schools with this quality (i.e a certain department, class size, type of people, programs, etc.). Each school is known for "something special", and once you find out what you want from a school, then your list should naturally become more concise. If you can afford it/have the time, maybe you should do another quick round of informal visits and really pay attention to details.</p>