I live in the northeast and wanted to start visiting some colleges that are on the east half of the country (basically train distance from New York). I know its kinda early, but I’m always busy with sports/ECs in the spring. Anyways, I’m primarily interested in biology but also considering computer science, and to a lesser extent, government/politics. Problem is I’m dead-brain clueless with where my credentials put me in terms of possible colleges. Some say that I should aim for Ivies, but I know others with similar achievements who have gotten into borderline “very selective” schools. Also, I really haven’t discovered my preferences for a college besides a good biology/comp sci department. And please no greek life, or if there is greek life, I prefer it not to rule over the social scene.
Which schools are a good idea to start looking at this summer before junior year? And should I be visiting mostly safety schools or reach schools?
I’m in all honors/APs, GPA is 3.8/4.6, tri-season varsity athlete/captain, I have leadership positions in student council, student newspaper, and a charitable poetry club that I founded.
Thanks.
I assume you haven’t taken the PSAT yet or SAT. Maybe take a practice test online or get the official Blue Book and see “generally” where you would lie. You would be taking the new SAT anyways so stats now don’t matter, but they would give you a good idea of what you can reach for. It perhaps might be a little early for you to look too intensely. Instead, I suggest picking out some schools in different areas, including schools instate (and not as prestigiously known).
One in urban, one in suburban, and one in kinda rural. Just to give you an idea of what you like and don’t like. By the time junior year rolls around, you’ll be more prepared with what you want.
You should visit all the schools you can, ideally the ones that are so far away you wouldn’t be able manage it over the weekend during the school year. And to make a college list, try using your school’s college search service, and if they don’t have one, use College Board’s. Using my own school’s service, this is what I came up with:
Ivies:
Yale
Harvard
Very Selective:
Barnard College
Vassar College
Selective:
Skidmore College
University of Florida
Wide Open:
Milligan College
Siena College
Maryville College
This might also be helpful: http://college.usatoday.com/2014/09/13/top-%C2%AD%C2%AD%C2%AD10-colleges-for-a-major-in-biology/
If you could provide SAT/ACT scores, and Subject Test Scores, I could have a better idea of what is a safety, match, and reach for you. Also, what do you mean by train distance? Hours away might be a better way to describe what you mean… Anyway, I included some schools that are in places like Florida and Tennessee because you could technically get there by train, but they are pretty far from New York. Also, you should really give some thought to preferences you have over colleges; they could DRASTICALLY change your college list. Here are some suggestions: diversity, size, on campus housing, urban/suburban/rural, gender mix, intramural/varsity sports, religious affiliation, liberal/conservative, and LGBT-friendly.
Hope I helped!!