<p>Hi I am currently a junior going into senior year and am looking into which colleges I should apply to. My dream school as of right now is Columbia University which I know is extremely difficult to get into, but I might as well try anyways. Other schools that I am considering are in the UC system because I am a California resident.
GPA U/W: 3.97
GPA Weighted: 4.47
SAT 1- 2280 (CR - 800, M - 780, W - 700)
SAT 2 - Math level 2 780, Physics 800, US History 780
ACT w/writing - 35 (35,36,36,34)
I can send copies of my transcript if it helps, but I have taken rigorous courses including all AP classes this past year (Physics, Calculus, Biology, Comp Sci, English, US History) and I have one B+ in my high school years (AP English first semester)</p>
<p>My extracurriculars might be lacking. I have been a part of my schools track team for all three years (about to be 4) and cross country for 11th grade and was varsity in junior year. We have year long practices that go for about 3-4 hours (Sometimes longer because of weight training) that take place right after school. I also have attended my Churches Youth group every Friday and Sunday since the 6th grade and play for their band (drums). Usually when they have volunteer opportunities I take them. I also had a part time tutoring job for half a year and currently this summer I am taking part in an unpaid internship related to running (although I do get a stipend). Am thinking of getting a part time job this summer as well. I was also part of the school band for 2 years not sure if that helps. </p>
<p>We can’t answer this for you. You need to look it up yourself–what majors are you interested in? Urban, rural, or small town? Large, medium, or small University? One where you’ll be a big fish in a small pond or a small fish in a big pond? A school with band/music/dance/sports/Greek programs? Warm weather or cool weather? A certain area of the country? Can you afford to pay or do you need aid? Do you make too much to qualify for aid and will need merit scholarships? Do you want a good study abroad program or internships? How about an alumni network? How about the college’s religious life? A strong sense of community on campus or more spread out? Do you want to room in a dorm or off campus? If so, do you like the dorms? A college that allows cars? A school where most students commute? One that allows you double major or minor? Conservative/Liberal? Coed? Easy to transfer major? Does the college offer major(s) you’re interested in? Does it accept AP credits?
There are way too many colleges for you to give us stats without anything else. You need to decide answers to at least some of these questions and do some research. After that, when you get a list of schools you’ll be happy at, get feedback if you so desire. Heck, just use cc’s or collegeboard’s college search if you want. It’s not that hard, and you can even put in stats to figure out match/reah/safety.</p>
<p>Thanks for the replies! Preferably I would like to go to a college in an urban/suburban area with a medium sized student body (not too big). Of course I would like there to be an abundance of intern and job opportunities and an a strong sense of community as well as intramural sports. The weather and living dorms dont bother me too much. It worries me because I really only have about seven schools that I am really considering- Columbia, UC Berkeley, UCLA, UC Davis, UC SD, Princeton, and UPenn …
Preferred major would be in math or engineering but I am currently undecided </p>
<p>Okay, so firstly, seven colleges that you’re really considering is fine. Some people here apply to fifteen. Yeah, no, don’t do that. Just find 6-10 colleges you’re sure you’ll be happy at.
You should add more “tech” schools to your list. Yes, the Ivies are good, but in terms of engineering, you’ll be better off somewhere else that’s focused on tech and getting people internships in jobs. Look into Georgia Tech and Purdue (probably match and safety) etc. for more options.
I’d knock off a couple of those UC’s and one Ivy League. Look to see which environment you’ll like better and research them yourself. You’re well above UCLA, UC Davis, and UC San Diego–you don’t need to apply to all three and Berkeley, unless you really like them. Also, you do realize that those schools are HUGE, right? They’re definitely not medium-sized.
Use the college finder programs, though.</p>