What other colleges should I apply to?

College Search & Selection
1

<p>Hi, I'm an approaching high school senior, and I'm just wondering if there are any other colleges that I should look at with similar features, curriculum, and prestige of UVA (which is my top choice). I know I shouldn't put all of my eggs in one basket, so please identify any other colleges that I should look at</p>

<p>Here are my stats:
8th grade:
Algebra 1- A
French 1- A</p>

<p>Freshman year-
Pre-AP English 9- A
Pre-AP Biology- A
Pre-AP World History- A
Phys. Ed.- A
Pre-AP French II- A
Nutrition & Wellness- A
Pre-AP Geometry- A</p>

<p>Sophomore year-
Pre-AP English 10- A
Pre-AP Chemistry- A
AP European History- A
Phys. Ed. and Driving- A
Pre-AP French III- A
Adv. Earth Science - A
Pre-AP Algebra II/Trig.- B+</p>

<p>Junior Year-
AP English Lang. & Comp.- A
Functions Trig. - A (not an AP, but weighted like one)
AP Biology-A
AP United States History-A
Anatomy & Physiology-A
Forensics-A
Pre-AP French IV- A
Computer Applications- A</p>

<p>Class rank- 18 out of 717
GPA- I haven't seen my end of year transcript yet, but I think my weighted is a 4.3 and unweighted is a 3.97, but I may be off.</p>

<p>AP Scores- Euro.-4, U.S. history- 5, Lang. & Comp.-5, Biology-4
ACT + Writing- 32
SAT (which I am going to take again in October to get about a 2100)- 1980
I will take SAT subject tests in Biology and U.S. history in November.</p>

<p>My schedule next year will consist of: AP Chemistry & Lab, AP Calculus AB, AP U.S. Government, Pre-AP French V, English 12, SOL-Based Physics</p>

<p>I have been on my Varsity Girls Tennis team for the past 3 years (plan to continue senior year). I am also in National Honor Society, French Honor Society (member and secretary), and Model United Nations. My school also offers the Biotechnology program, which I am a part of, and I have 90+ hours at the animal shelter. </p>

<p>When I go to college, I plan on majoring in biology and minoring in history, while being on the pre-med track. I'd prefer to go to a college that has its own med school so I can do undergrad work there.</p>

<p>Thank you for reading this exceptionally long post (sorry), and I look forward to reading any comments.</p>

2

<p>What specific things do you like about UVA?</p>

3

<p>I didn’t know the College Board told you your SAT score three months before you took them.</p>

4

<p>What state are you in?</p>

<p>What is your budget? (how much will your family pay?)</p>

<p>As for your req’t that the school have a med school for research purposes…I’m not sure how much opportunity undergrads have to actually do research AT SOMs. At all good univs, there will be research opps, but research AT THE actual SOM isn’t likely…even if it’s on campus. (besides, many schools’ SOMs aren’t even actually on campus…but are actually blocks/miles away.)</p>

5

<p>I live in VA. Mainly what I like about UVA is that it’s fairly large, the campus is beautiful, they have good science classes, and it’s fairly close to home. I also feel that I am among my peers there, instead of feeling too dumb (like when I visited Johns Hopkins) or too smart like some less selective schools make me feel. Other than those factors, I can’t really explain what I love about UVa, there’s just a feeling like I belong.</p>

<p>My parents are willing to pay for any school that I want to go to (if accepted), and my dad’s G.I. Bill will cover the highest tuition for any VA public college.</p>

<p>To Runner241, I meant my latest SAT scores, which I took last April, were a 1980 and that I am going to take them again in October. Don’t try to be a smart aleck.</p>

6

<p>UT- austin and UMich might be good options for you. Maybe Penn State, UF, or UGA. Since you’re instate have you looked at VAtech?</p>

7

<p>I have looked at VAtech, but I do not want to go there. I’m also looking at William and Mary, but I haven’t visited yet. </p>

<p>I also forgot to mention something else- I am not looking at any school in a state that is south of North Carolina nor west of Illinois. Just don’t like the climate or distance from home.</p>

<p>Oh, and just because my day’s GI Bill covers the highest public college in va, doesn’t mean that private colleges are out of the question.</p>

8

<p>William & Mary (no SOM, but mom2collegekids is right about undergrads not doing research at SOMs) would also be worth considering, especially given your interest in history.</p>

9

<p>University of Illinois or Syracuse might be good fits then. Especially Syracuse</p>

10

<p>Also UVA is known to be kind of southern</p>

11

<p>Penn State doesn’t have their med school close by - it’s associated with/located in Hershey.</p>

<p>Syracuse is very urban… but potentially an option.</p>

<p>Pitt has their med school on campus and is a large school. The campus is more urban though, so it might not appeal to you.</p>

<p>U Rochester has their med school on campus (and yes, undergrads can get involved in research there - it’s not at all unusual as suggested before). It does have a campus, so could be a consideration.</p>

<p>How about Vanderbilt? They may be too reachy… but otherwise could meet your qualifications.</p>

12

<p>duke is also pretty similar but thats definitely a reach</p>

13

<p>Liking UVA and W&M is a no brainer (yawn) from Virginia. I know you are asking about alternatives, which is good, but you have got to kick-it-up!! No safeties? For all your hard work in high school, you better get in gear!!! You are an excellent candidate for UVA/W&M but you need to put that out of your mind for now (just in case) or you will end up at JMU or similar.</p>

14

<p>I never said I didn’t have any safeties (which are Liberty University, Christopher Newport, and GMU). Right now, I’m just looking for more possible matches and reaches. What do you mean by get in gear? I’ve been working my butt of since I was in 5th grade.</p>

15

<p>I’ve heard that W&M has a much different feel than UVA. It’s more of a liberal arts feel while UVA is more of a big university feel. Of course I would apply to W&M since its a great school in your state.</p>

16

<p>Also look into James Madison U. It’s instate and probably pretty similar to UVA in social aspects</p>

17

<p>that class rank is pretty impressive!! good luck to you, you are in a lucky state to be in state!! U Richmond has a nice reputation down here. Don’t know if that or W and L is a consideration, altho I don’t know what access to hospitals W and L has…someone can elaborate here. good luck to you!</p>

18

<p>Liberty? really? for all your hard work. I have no words.</p>

19

<p>I think Liberty is perfect if you want the combination of Sarah Palin and Glen Beck speaking at your school 5 times a year and a successful fcs football program</p>

20

<p>Like I said, Liberty is a safety. Both of my older sisters went there, and they’re big on legacies, so I feel I have a good shot of getting in. However, this is if I don’t get into any of my top choices (UVA).</p>