Where should I apply?

College Search & Selection
1

Hey guys!

Just to give some demographic context, I’m a white, middle class male who lives in Florida. I’m going into my senior year of high school and need some help on where to apply.

I’m thinking about majoring in English because writing is definitely my strong suit, but then again, political science is kind of intriguing, too. Philosophy also doesn’t sound half bad. But whatever—I digress.

I really, really, really want to go to Princeton, but money is tight, my SAT score is not up to par, and my extracurriculars are less than stunning. I can write, though, and am looking forward to drafting my application essays pretty soon. Take a look at my stats and see what I can do to improve them in the coming months. Princeton might (read: most definitely) not be attainable, but what would be?

Academics:

  • 2nd in my class of ~500
  • 4.0 uw GPA, 4.5 w
  • AP Classes --- AP Human Geography: 5 --- AP World History: 5 --- AP Seminar: 4 --- AP Music Theory: 2 (we don't talk about this) Still waiting for scores in APUSH, AP Research, AP Calc AB, and AP Lang. If I had to guess, I'd say a 5 in APUSH, a 4-5 in Research, a 3-4 in Calc, and a 4-5 in Lang. I'm taking 7 more AP next year (don't worry, they're all actually classes that I'm looking forward to).
  • SAT: 1360 (740 English, 620 Math, 6/6/6 on Essay) --- I just took it again yesterday and am also taking it for a third time in August. I didn't really study for it the first time around (the score above) and know I can bump it up.
  • ACT: N/A
  • SAT IIs: Looking at taking Bio E, Lit, and maybe U. S. History in October. Definitely the first two.

Extracurriculars:

  • Band all 4 years---I play bassoon and mellophone (no leadership position though, which sucks. I'm not bitter, it's fine, I'm fine)
  • Captain of Brain Bowl Team
  • President of school chapter of English Honor Society
  • Treasurer of school Mu Alpha Theta chapter
  • Member of Rho Kappa (will probably get a leadership position next year)
  • Member of National Honor Society (no chance of leadership here, which also sucks)
  • Very involved in Latin Club, and just Latin in general (I've taken it all 3 years so far, taking AP in the fall)
  • Volunteer activities with band, and maybe the JCC (still working on that last one)
  • Various church activities
  • Starting a book club at school this upcoming year

As you can see, it’s not like I’ve cured cancer in my free time, but I am very passionate about my after-school activities, especially band and Latin.

Awards:

  • Several regional- and state-level awards in Latin (Florida Junior Classical League)
  • Brain Bowl team was 2nd place overall this year
  • Various school awards (9th grade English award, 10th grade Social Studies award, et al.)
  • Various church awards (was involved in a church program called Lads to Leaders, but no so much anymore)
  • Solo and Ensemble Festival for band (superiors since 9th grade)
  • Band has won Otto Kraushaar Award for the three years I've been in band so far (not really that important for me specifically, but I thought I'd mention it)
  • There might be some other minor ones that I can't think of right now

Yeah, I’m proud of my grades and class rank, but SAT- and extracurricular-wise, it’s not too hot. Right now, it’s certainly not Ivy level—I’m not going to kid myself. I do think that I can get my SAT into the 1500s, for whatever it’s worth.

Is there anything I can do between now and the winter to improve my chances at Princeton? I’m in the progress of writing a novel, and hope to be in the process of publication by the time applications come around. I know this is late.

Where else would be a good fit? Should I just apply to my state school (UF) and call it quits? Please let me know.

Thank you so much! Please feel free to ask any questions.

2

Based on your academic interests, you could be a good fit for Kenyon, some of the NESCACs, or Vassar.

You might particularly like colleges that emphasize writing:

https://www.usnews.com/best-colleges/rankings/writing-programs

3

Congrats on your hard work and success! UF is a great school and a good deal for in-state students if that works out. As you are aware, Princeton is extremely competitive and no one can count on admission. But no harm–just some money and some time–in applying to your dream school.

Some elite, wealthy schools like Princeton guarantee that they will meet full financial need. You can google to find these schools. Of course, they are extremely competitive for prestige and price reasons. Many schools, including many private liberal arts schools, often offer need-based and merit aid to accepted students as a means of making it affordable for them and increasing the chances that they will decide to enroll. It’s effectively a discount off the “sticker price.” It is important to know that the price on the website is often not what students actually pay (but often it is).

So I would suggest you research some of these–like the NESCAC (New England Small College Athletic Conference), which includes many of the top liberal arts schools in that region. It is possible that you would receive enough aid to make some of these schools affordable for your family. You can run net price calculators at the schools to get some idea of the cost, though this is just an estimate.

For example, say you are accepted to LAC A. It costs $60k per year. The school also notifies you that you have been awarded $20k in institutional aid (not loans), so the per year cost is then obviously $40k (if you maintain grades). Maybe LAC B costs about the same and offers you $30k per year. You and your family may or may not want to pay the price difference between those schools and UF or some other state school.

The caveat is that you typically won’t know the total cost until after acceptance. It’s easy to fall in love with a place, be accepted, and then find out it is not affordable, which is disappointing. Then again, you might find a deal that is better than UF, at a school you would prefer. It’s just important to understand that acceptance and disappointment are possible.

Besides the NESCAC schools and Kenyon, Denison, Kalamazoo, and the College of Wooster offer lots of merit aid to top students. Macalester College is another possibility. The link below provides an example of what I’m trying to describe in a concise format. Unlike Miami of Ohio, most schools are not so upfront with ranges. Note that it super-scores for admissions AND aid. Good luck!

http://miamioh.edu/admission/merit-grid/

4

Your SAT score is going to hinder your chances. Have you considered the ACT? I tutor both tests. IMO, the ACT is more straightforward, however, it is much more crunched for time. Aprt from your score, you are a strong student and there might be plenty of great choices for you.

Apply to Princeton, but only if can get your score up to 1480 or higher. Make that your pie in the sky app. You need more realistic options. There is another thread right now with some excellent colleges that are perfect for your interests: http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/college-search-selection/1995979-where-should-i-apply-p1.html

As far as universities, there are a ton of unis that will give you a good education for your interests. More details would be useful. Are you interested in urban or rural, conservative or liberal, party school, greek life, big sports, etc…

5

I have considered the ACT. I’m going to take a practice one sometime this week or next (I want to give my brain a chance to rest after Saturday’s SAT lol) to see if I should end up taking it.

I’m interested in a more suburban campus, but am not into party schools and don’t plan on joining any frats (that could change, of course).

Thank you for your feedback. Do you think that if I can write stellar essays (which I am able to do) and get my SAT score up (which I will—I’m not stopping until I get a 1500 or over) that I should apply to Princeton, or would it be a waste of my time? Thanks.

6

First off, thanks so much, @TTG! I looked up NESCAC schools as soon as I found out that my friend, who has ECs and interests similar to my own, got into Williams. They sound appealing! I have another friend who also has similar stats and interests as me who got into Northwestern, which is probably my #2 school right now.

The problem with financial aid is that my family is in a unique financial situation that doesn’t qualify for as much aid as we probably need because on paper we look fine but are also struggling with heavy medical bills, etc. that inhibit us from affording expensive tuition/room and board. I know that some Ivies cover tuition for families that make under $125k (which I fall into), but of course, the struggle is getting into said Ivies! Thank you for your help.

7

http://www.newsweek.com/25-most-desirable-suburban-schools-71867

Colleges with well-funded financial aid programs:

https://www.usnews.com/education/best-colleges/paying-for-college/slideshows/top-universities-that-claim-to-meet-full-financial-need

8

Thank you very much, @merc81! I’ll be sure to look at these schools.

9

Note that the SAT data in the one link would be outdated. This source would be more relevant to the current format, @Ambrosius:

http://www.■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■/college-profiles-new-sat/

10

Tufts, Macalester, Dickinson, University of Denver, Brandeis, Emory may be of interest
Some of the colleges offer merit. All good colleges will enhance your writing skills.

http://www.■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■/lists/list/colleges-with-excellent-political-science-programs/220/

11

Work on the test scores and apply to Princeton, but at the same time give more consideration to what you want to major in based on your interests. It’s a good idea to find a program that fits your current interests but is large enough that if you change your mind you will have other options without having to transfer. University of Rochester may be worth a look.

From a financial perspective, keep two things in mind:
First, beware of the schools that do not offer merit-based aid. Do your research before you visit and fall in love.
Second, English, philosophy and political science degrees frequently lead to grad school or law school, so the less you pay as an undergrad the more you might have available for the next phase of your education. This might mean going to a less prestigious school to get a higher merit-based award.

Just curious why you are focused on Princeton? Is it the prestige of an Ivy or is there a specific program that appeals to you?

12

Thank you for the feedback, @jmek15! I was initially interested in Princeton because of its literary tradition—so, I guess it is their English program that appeals to me the most. It’s the one that I’ve considered the most, but I am also concerned about job opportunities after college with a major such as that. Philosophy (which I would major in as a segue to law) and political science are merely curiosities at this point, but, admittedly, far more lucrative ones.

13

Princeton appears here, as do 24 other colleges:

http://flavorwire.com/409437/the-25-most-literary-colleges-in-america

https://www.■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/Top-Producers-Lawyers-Infographic-e1459562437296.png

14

If you have an interest in taking creative writing courses, then these articles may include additional colleges for further research:

The 10 best American colleges for writers | USA TODAY College
http://college.usatoday.com/the-10-best-american-colleges-for-writers/

The 10 Best Colleges for Creative Writers | The Freelancer, by Contently
http://contently.net/2014/11/06/resources/10-best-colleges-creative-writers/