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<p>If paying is an issue at all, then I think a student needs 2-3 financial safeties (preferably 3) for the following reasons:</p>
<p>1) by the time spring rolls around, one of the safeties may be disliked (even if liked in the fall)</p>
<p>2) If none of the non-safeties work out (admissions-wise or aid-wise) then it is good for morale to still have choices. No one wants to feel railroaded into their one safety…even if they really like it. We like choices! And, when the kids are sitting around the lunch tables discussing which school to attend, being able to discuss your own choices is a good feeling!</p>
<p>Did you ever get a college guide book?</p>
<p>Yes, I just ordered Fiske a couple of days ago. Now that we have visited some colleges she has a better idea of things.</p>
<p>Thanks, HarvestMoon1. </p>
Maybe no one is interested, but my D and I have learned SO much since we began her college search over a year ago. As this thread sparked a lively discussion, it might be useful to other people who are looking for “cool” colleges (is it safe to use that word?)
She did a lot of research and visiting, and has made informed decisions. Her SAT’s are all above 700, her three APs so far were all 5s, her grades are good.
Here is the list of where she is applying:
Bates
Brown
Carleton
Clark Uni
Dickinson
Franklin and Marshall
SUNY Geneseo
Kenyon
Oberlin
Uni of Rochester
Tufts
William and Mary
and maybe Whitman or Grinnell
Thanks to all who gave suggestions, you have been very helpful! Some of these colleges we had never heard of until this thread. Wish her luck!
@Lindagaf - Curious as to where your daughter’s list stand now with the past year behind you? What schools does she like?
@doschicos , see above, for some reason I hit post and it left off half the post I wrote, so I had to edit!
OP. On the party scene I would definitely leave both Wesleyan and Reed off.
Consider Carleton and Macalester.
Haha! If only it was that easy! She did actually do a summer course at Carleton and really enjoyed it, so that is right in the top.
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@myyalieboy , this original post is over a year old. For the updated, mostly final list, see post 65 above. And no Reed or Wesleyan.
Nice list. I’m a huge fan of Carleton and Whitman as well. Ditto for Dickinson, Bates, and Kenyon.
It would be odd if your D didn’t second guess her list. She’s a teenager! It’s a strong list–depending on her grades and scores–but like others have said, what level of merit aid she may receive will vary so adding a few large schools makes sense as long as you and she are okay with the additional application work.
Not sure if anyone said this (not really feeling like reading through all five pages) but from what you described I think you might want to look for a school that has substance-free housing. Or, if you think your daughter could get into a school’s honors program, a college with seperate honors housing might satisfy her needs, as those kids tend to be more serious about school and less into partying and what not.
@Lindagraf Is the SUNY your safety school? Is there a second safety? Is she EDing Tufts? Are you planning to EA anywhere in addition to an ED? What is she interested in as a major?
@Muchtolearn , SUNY Geneseo and Clark are the safeties. She is not EDing anywhere, she is too indecisive about which school is her top choice. She is interested primarily in English and Psych, but also in computer science and art.
@Much2learn, see post 76, put wrong user name. Sorry!
@lindagaf “She is not EDing anywhere, she is too indecisive about which school is her top choice.”
- If she is not certain, it would be worth considering taking a shot at Brown in the ED round. It is likely that she won't get it, but she would have a better shot than in the regular round.
- I think that Clark has EA. I would apply EA to at least one school. She will almost certainly get into some of the other schools, but psychologically, it can take some pressure off to have one acceptance in hand.
- Based on SUNY Geneseo, I am guessing you are a NY resident. I would think that Cornell CAS could be a very good deal for you. Maybe you looked and did not like it though.
- It sounds like your daughter is a pretty serious student, and trying to avoid greek life. I am not a huge greek life fan, but I have learned something about it in the last year that I did not previously understand. At many of the most competitive schools, a significant percentage of their very best students are in greek life. Often these students have really crazy schedules, and the sorority provides readily available social activities on short notice, whenever they get some free time. It functions as a valuable outlet and social support for them. For this reason some top students like your daughter who initially are completely uninterested in greek life, end up rushing and pledging. That may not happen to your daughter, but you never know.
@Much2learn , she will apply EA at Clark and Dickinson, which both offer it. You are perceptive, she has zero interest in Greek life, and while she is a serious student, she does want to have fun. I have never told her this, but I have a hunch she may well end up in a sorority for the reasons you say.
Yes, we live in NY. She has decided not to pursue Cornell. She feels trying for one Ivy is enough, and she really loves Brown. Nothing she has heard about Cornell is enticing her interest. Re ED at Brown, we told her to do that, but she is on the fence. She is a bit of a fatalist and believes she will get in where she is meant to, plus she genuinely would be thrilled with three other colleges in her list. Also, her college advisor has told her ED to Brown is not helpful, as supposedly, virtually all ED spots at Brown go to athletes, legacies, and “specialist” students, though we have no idea what this really menas, as we are well aware of the ED admit percentages. No doubt there are books devoted to that topic though:-) I would love to know if there is any credibility to that theory.
