<pre><code> First, I would like to thank anyone who takes the time to read this post and certainly look forward to any and all suggestions. I am a rising senior who is slightly behind the curve in searching for ideal schools, since I am only a few months away from submitting my applications. I honestly have no idea where I should attend; in all honesty, I, like most other teenagers, continually find my mailbox and my inbox filled with glossy brochures and persuasive e-mails, but now is the time to narrow my search. I am looking for suggestions for all levels: reaches, targets, and safeties.
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<p>I wish to major in either finance or economics wherever I choose to attend, I would also consider a double major or minor in either political science or urban studies. Ultimately, I hope to pursue a JD or MBA. </p>
<p>Background Info:
Caucasian Male
Hometown: coastal/central NJ
School: small public, ranked in about the top third of NJ high schools
Class Rank: 2nd of about 150 in the class
Grades: My school uses a complicated GPA formula, not the standard 4.0 scale, but I have A+ final grades in everything so far except Honors Physics and AP Comp Sci (those are A's)
Class Selection: All Honors and as many APs as I could fit into my schedule
APs: US History - 5, Comp Sci - 5, English Language - 5, and Calc AB, English Literature, US Govt, and Envi Sci next year
SATs: CR: 640, Math: 800, Writing: 760 (SAT IIs: TBD)
Extracurriculars: Marching Band/ Jazz Band/Wind Ensemble (2nd chair of 6 in my section), Rising Editor-in-Chief of my school paper, Debate Team captain, Math League/Science League/ Quiz Bowl teams, History Club, Peer Mediation, Co founder of my school's book club, Volunteer about 5 hours a week at the local library, Eagle Scout, working this summer for a local minor league baseball team (concessions), taking statistics at my local community college
Sports: one year of JV baseball, cut from tennis after a few weeks, in a bowling league outside of school
Expected to make National Merit Finalist according to my principal and guidance counselor based on my scores and their prior experiences</p>
<p>Now, for my "wish list":
1. Distance isn't everything, but the closer to home the better (Open to urban, suburban, and rural schools)
2. Undecided/Ambivalent about school size (Not an important factor to me)
3. Politically, I lean pretty far to the right for someone my age. I understand that nearly any college would be liberal, but I don't want to attend a school with a notoriously activist student body or known radical professors. Somewhere where my views would at least be tolerated would be welcome.
4. No or limited Greek presence
5. I understand drinking goes on everywhere, but I don't want to attend somewhere with a social life that relies entirely on drinking/drugs.
6. My family's EFC is around $28,000/year, so anywhere where I can get a significant merit scholarship or otherwise generous need based aid would be appreciated. The least debt, the better, especially with my hopes to go on for a postgraduate degree.
7. Preferably a school in a safe neighborhood
8. Prestige/Name Recognition are important, but not everything.</p>
<p>Once again, I thank all of you who took the time to check out this loquacious post, and I welcome your suggestions. I can and I have used search tools to help narrow the search in the past, but I prefer actual experiences from actual people. </p>