Which colleges would suit me?

College Search & Selection
1

<p>I am a 16-year-old junior in high school currently considering which colleges to apply to. I took the SAT when I was 15 and made a 2040 (750 CR, 750 W, 540 M); my math score was so low because the SAT covers Algebra II, which I had not yet taken. Obviously, I plan to take the SAT again this spring and in the fall of my senior year.</p>

<p>I am a white female from a working class family. My GPA (unweighted) is currently 3.85. My class rank is in the top 10% of a school with 275 or so students in my grade.</p>

<p>Extracurriculars/volunteering:
-internship at a very influential land conservancy organization
-started an organic garden club at my school
-assistant copy editor of a historical magazine
-semi-regular columnist for local newspaper
-editor of school yearbook
-chess club (lame, I know)
-Academic Bowl
-headed a recycling drive at my school
-raised $1200+ for local animal shelter
-volunteer at same local animal shelter
-volunteer for local horse show
-organized free pony rides for children at a local elementary school
-cross country team</p>

<p>"Catches":
-very low-income household (<$25,000 a year)
-will be first in my family to attend college
-will have stellar recommendations</p>

<p>Drawbacks:
-Due to extenuating circumstances (ie, the school administrators being incompetent fumbling boobs), I've only been able to take APUSH this year. My course load senior year, however, will be the most strenuous available.</p>

<p>I live in South Carolina, USA. Currently, the schools that I'm considering include:
-Vanderbilt University (match?)
-Clemson University (safety)
-College of Charleston (safety)
-Emory University (match)
-Stanford University (no chance in hell, but still fun to imagine, lol)
-Duke University (match?)
-Wake Forest University (safety?)
-Johns Hopkins University (match?)
-Pepperdine University (safety?)</p>

<p>Can anyone recommend more colleges for me? I'd prefer private institutions. I want to double-major in Psychology and Economics, with a minor which is currently undecided. </p>

<p>Also, am I completely off-target with the colleges I'm looking at? One of my fatal flaws is being an overachiever, so some good honest constructive criticism would be helpful!</p>

<p>Thanks so much.</p>

2

<p>Most of your “matches” could be very high matches (Emory) or low reaches. I’m not trying to discourage you from applying, I’m just saying I think you are underestimating how selective Vandy, Emory, Duke, and JHU really are. I’d add one or two “low or mid match” schools that you are more than likely to get admitted to- just in case you get shut out of the most selective schools on your list that you’ve listed as matches or higher.</p>

3

<p>Take the SAT again, study hard for the math and get your score up.</p>

4

<p>I bought “The Official SAT Study Guide” from the College Board and have taken several practice SAT tests from it. My math score has risen from 540 to 680, and I’m still not done with Algebra II. This would bring my probable current SAT score to about 2180. (My official SAT score is about 8 months old.)</p>

5

<p>Top schools are reaches for nearly everyone.</p>

<p>Did you take the PSAT in October?</p>

<p>Once you get some recent SAT scores, we’ll have a better idea. Also take the ACT.</p>

<p>you can get fee waivers from your school. Be sure to get as a high a GPA as possible.</p>

6

<p>if you have any questions about Clemson, let me know!</p>

7

<p>@Pierre0913 & others: I’m considering Clemson because it’s one of the best schools in SC; AFAIK College of Charleston and USC both have a huge party school reputation.</p>

<p>The two things that are most important to me are the quality of academics and the happiness of students. I don’t want to go to a school where keggers are held every night and I enjoy the great outdoors quite a bit and want to be somewhere that I can hike often. How is Clemson as far as both of these two topics are concerned?</p>

<p>This post is tl;dr, lol.</p>

8

<p>15% of Stanford’s freshman class this year are first generation to college, so that is a big hook.</p>

<p>My primary suggestion (other than continuing to practice for your SATs) is that rather than running yourself ragged to participate at a superficial level in a laundry list of activities, do yourself a big favor by focusing for the remainder of this year and next on the 2-4 activities that are more interesting and important to you. Make a significant commitment to these activities and raise your level of engagement to a level above and beyond ordinary volunteering. Not only will you get more out of these activities, but the focus will help these schools understand who you really are.</p>

<p>Other schools to consider: Davidson and Rice</p>

9

<p>I wrote this whole post on paring down your activities (initially agreed with M’s Mom) but I’ve realized they actually seem very well-defined. It’s a long list but shows focus in several areas, so I think it’d present a strong image to adcoms about who you are and what your values/caues are.</p>

<p>Get in the habit of listing your activities by impressiveness. Chess club is cool, but if you’re not particularly involved in it it definitely seems like a filler activity, as does Academic Bowl. You might not have space on applications to list everything you do, so figure out what is most impressive and matters most to you.</p>

<p>The environment:

  • internship at a very influential land conservancy organization
  • started an organic garden club at my school
  • headed a recycling drive at my school</p>

<p>Journalism:

  • semi-regular columnist for local newspaper
  • editor of school yearbook
  • assistant copy editor of a historical magazine</p>

<p>Animals:

  • raised $1200+ for local animal shelter
  • volunteer at same local animal shelter
  • volunteer for local horse show
  • organized free pony rides for children at a local elementary school</p>

<p>And being a “semi-regular columnist for local newspaper” is definitely thought-provoking: this is something most teenagers won’t do or seemingly can’t do (writing in a professional capacity is something out of the scope of most kids). I know it’s a little early, but this could be something interesting to elaborate on when you do get around to filling out applications next year. </p>

<p>Don’t have too much to add re: colleges (although I’d say Duke, Vanderbilt, and JHU are more reaches or high matches). Try for a 2200+ on the SAT for solid chances. Have you talked to your parents about finances or anything like that?</p>

10

<p>For the most part most people at Clemson are very serious about their academics Sunday - Thursday (a few people go out thursday night for “Thirsty Thursday” haha) and then have fun Friday-Saturday. I definitely wouldn’t say that Clemson is a “party school” compared to other public universities. There are parties every night if you’re looking for them and there are people serious about academics who don’t party every single night (or at all) if you’re looking for them.</p>

<p>As for the outdoors, I’m in the outdoors club and we have several informal hiking/mountain biking trips for free. Our recreation department has kayaking/backpacking/whitewater rafting trips all the trips all the time but these tend to be more on the expensive side for some reason. If you have a car though, you can probably find some people to go on some trips with you.</p>

11

<p>I like the way Greekfire has grouped your ECs to show themes. It shows that you have depth in your specific interests.</p>

12

<p>I am a little surprised you do not have Furman on your list. Your grades and stats, as well as activities, may qualify you for some of their many scholarships, including a few specifically for South Carolina residents.</p>

<p>You mentioned that you had an interest in Psychology and Economics, Furman has a strong program in both. My D is a freshman there and selected the school based on the strength of their Psychology program. It offers a lot of opportunities for research and internships. There are a number of students there doing a double major of Psychology and Economics, designing their own “Behavioral Economics” major. I may be a little biased but based on your original post, it makes a great fit. Good luck in your search!</p>

13

<p>What about Wofford ?</p>