I just wanna let you know that I think you shouldn’t limit yourself in terms of the number of colleges you apply to (as long as cost isn’t an issue). I personally don’t think there’s a such thing as too many reaches. If you do end up getting into many of your reaches, you’ll have some great decisions to make. It’s always better to apply and get rejected than wonder what could have been. It shouldn’t be a problem with your guidance counselor and even it is, it’s your GC’s job to help you in the college process. You seem like a very solid candidate for many top schools but college admissions are always unpredictable. The more you apply to, the better chances you have of getting in to one of your reaches.
I also highly suggest you get a lot of the essays done this summer. I waited too long to start on the essays and it became quite a bit at the end there. If you can finish over half your essays this summer, you’ll be in great shape and it’ll give you the opportunity to apply to more schools.
The only thing I disagree with the other commenters is the number of safeties you should apply to. I think you’re pretty much a guarantee at University of Rochester. I think two safeties that you wouldn’t mind attending is ideal. Overloading on safeties is a waste of time.
@insideandout I agree with most of what you say. However, I wouldn’t mind applying to more reaches, only after I have properly written all the essays for my current list.
What’s going to improve the OP’s chances with those reach schools is many, many quality hours with his/her GC, regional college representatives, teacher recommenders and a trusted proofreader in order to craft customized, comprehensive application packages that scream FIT. It takes a lot of time to do it well.
@arwarw Let’s not get into a discussion of that statement (quite a few of these debates already elsewhere on this forum), but I agree that everything else takes precedence. However, in the rare case that I complete everything to satisfaction (too much revision will actually make the essay lose its voice), I will be considering more reach schools.
My school yearbook staff (of which I am now the co-editor in chief) was awarded a minor preparation award today. More importantly, this reminded me of our Columbia Scholastic Press Association’s Gold Medalist Certificate. I’ll be adding that to my award’s section.
Purdue University has a fine IE program as well.
They are ranked #4 (USNWR) for undergrad IE
They are ranked 8th nationally for master’s program (tied with Cornell)
Checked my AP scores today, so I will be applying with the following APs.
AP Macroeconomics: 5
AP Microeconomics: 5
AP Chinese Language and Culture: 5
AP Statistics: 5
AP Calculus BC: 5; AB subscore: 5
AP Physics C Mechanics: 5
AP English Literature and Composition
AP Chemistry
Enough? Should I self study one next year, and still put the AP test in the tests section of the Common App? I know we’re allowed up to 10 APs.
@CHD2013 I (barely) didn’t meet the English requirements of APUSH, and I was advised to take AP Chem instead of AP Euro History next year. I have no other spots available. I kind of regret not pushing for APUSH now, because I’m sure I would have gotten in by taking an essay test, but that’s the past.
@CHD2013 Would religion count as a social science?
In any case, I have completed 4 courses of social science/history - 3 history classes and 1 AP Economics, but I will not have any social science but required religion next year. Hopefully, this won’t be a problem, but I can’t change it anyway.
If you are looking at the Claremont Colleges and are interested in engineering, have you considered Harvey Mudd? Fine, fine school. And you know you can take classes and use the facilities of the other Claremont schools.
CMC does not have industrial engineering. OF the Claremont colleges, HM is the best choice if you want engineering, though it appears there is a joint degree in economics and engineering with CMC. Your list, though it seems to have changed several times, contained several schools that do not have IE. IMO, many students change their majors, so if you are not absolutely certain, it might help to keep your options open.
@jym626 As I have mentioned, Industrial Engineering is incredibly similar to management and business operations, which is why either IE or Economics will work for me, since my career goal is consulting after college. Of the Claremont colleges, CMC is the best option for my plans, while HMC’s various science requirements will hinder it. Econ-Engineering is a 5 year course and honestly unnecessary for me, since I do not want to or need to learn about every part of engineering.
Out of the Claremont schools, if I wanted to keep my options open, I would NOT attend HMC. Almost every other school would work for “keeping options open.”
Nothing really pulled me from what I know about USC. I don’t want to go to an undergraduate business school, so Marshall’s not a big deal.
Just a blog-type update:
Senior year starts next week, and I still have an essay to write for AP Literature. Last few days of summer are going to be hell, and then the first half of senior year will be a worse hell.
I’ve started on my college essay, but I feel like I’m behind. Just a little depressed about all this, but if I can get my summer work done, I think all else will slowly fall into place.