YOU tell ME where to apply

College Search & Selection
1

<p>Chance me?
White Male from PA (best public HS)-4 APs senior year(rest are honors), grades have gotten better thru HS</p>

<p>Weighted GPA= 4.1
Unweighted GPA = 3.6-Decent upward trend
SAT Scores= Writing: 730 Math: 650 Critical Reading: 650
ACT Scores= (30) English: 34 Reading/Writing: 30 Science: 28 Math: 26 </p>

<p>~Elected Senior Class Vice President (12)
-Class size of approximately 300
~National Honor Society-Secretary (12)
~Co-President of World Affairs Club (9,10,11,12)
-Researched on current events and conducted meetings
-Regularly attended World Affairs Club of Pittsburgh meetings, heard such speakers as Condoleezza Rice
~President (12) and Vice President (11) of CISV Pittsburgh Junior Branch
-A non-profit International cultural understanding program
~Elected Secretary of National Honor Society (12)
~Member of the CISV USA Junior Board of Trustees (11,12)
~Selected to be a Counselor at a CISV Camp in Brazil (2005)
~Participated in CISV exchange program with Hungary (2004)
~Attended CISV camps in Sweden (2001) and Costa Rica (2003)
~Hosted a Thai student and traveled to Thailand in a school-sponsored exchange program (2006)-Attended a private University Preparatory School</p>

<p>~Selected to attend the 2007 Pennsylvania Governor’s School for Global Entrepreneurship at Lehigh University (full ride-$3,500
- less than 15% acceptance(supposedly redic)
~Received the “2007 Paul Harris Service Above Self Award” from Upper St. Clair-Bethel Park Rotary International(11)
~Received a scholarship from the Rotary to attend the World Affairs Institute for Student Leaders: India at Center Stage (11)
~Selected to receive a scholarship ($1,000) to attend the Global Scholar Program at Washington and Lee University
-Was unable to attend due to Governor’s School
~Consistent High Honor Roll
~Tutor at elementary and junior high levels (10,11,12)
~Volunteer at South Hills Interfaith Ministries (9,10,11,12)
-Food bank, toy drives and back-to-school programs
~Worked as a Camp Counselor for underprivileged children (9,10)
~Over 250 hours of community service in high school years
~Member of LINK (10,11,12)
-A student outreach program with Pittsburgh’s School for the Blind
~Spanish Club (10,11,12)
~Law Club (11,12)
~Invited to Mentor in Athletes Taking Action (11,12)
-Program that pairs younger athletes with a mentor upon entering high school
~Current member of the Varsity Track and Field Team (10,11,12)
~Freshman and Junior Varsity Soccer (9,10)
~Captain of Travel Soccer (11)
~Member of a Young Men’s Community Basketball League</p>

<p>Schools that I've already applied to:
1.UVa (with legacy, Uncle/Aunt are alums-wrote letters, so in-state,)
2. U Mich
3. Georgetown (Business School, NOT SFS!)
4. Wake Forest
5. Cornell (applied to both ag school and Arts and Sciences-for Econ majors)
6. UNC
7. Maryland
8. Vanderbilt</p>

<p>What do you think about Northwestern? I'm also looking for a more safety-like school (quality of PSU) but not PSU (I have some sort of complex dealing with PSU). Any other recommendations?</p>

<p>Thanks!</p>

2

<p>I say you add Penn as reach; how about Pittsburgh?</p>

3

<p>are you showing off yourself?</p>

4

<p>^Agree with you ..</p>

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<p>northwestern won the national title of college fed challenge three years in a row and just advanced to the final round this year. that’s a pretty good indication of a strong econ program.</p>

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<p>Congratulations on your outstanding record. I agree that University of Pennsylvania is worth considering. Maybe Carnegie Mellon, Chicago, Northwestern, Columbia, Johns Hopkins, Duke, NYU, Boston U, Vanderbilt, Rochester.</p>

<p>Your existing list is good, especially Cornell.</p>

7

<p>how is he showing off himself?
he sounds a bit aggressive from the title, but that’s only to get our attn i assume, lol</p>

<p>also, he’s not a 2390/4.9/aids curer asking if he can get into harvard.</p>

<p>yes, do add penn for fun.
i see Univ Texas- Austin and UCSB/UCI/UCD as similar, but UC deadline’s very soon.</p>

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<p>Thanks a lot, I like the suggestions so far. I think I’m definately going to apply to Northwestern, how about Illinios/Indiana/Wisconsin? Their not in optimum location but I’m looking for a solid safety-ish school.</p>

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<p>thanks, any other suggestions?</p>

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<p>Wisconsin definitely isn’t a safety if you’re OOS. </p>

<p>Indiana might be though. </p>

<p>Also try Miami OH - their business school ranks quite well, and you’d be in for sure.</p>

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<p>I checked with UVa…Uncle/Aunt is not considered legacy—gotta be parents only.</p>

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<p>Yeah sorry forgot to add that to this post… my Dad is the ACTUAL legacy, I was just adding in my Uncle and Aunt as other legacy references. Can’t hurt…</p>

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<p>well I got into Michigan… whew</p>

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<p>ANCooky: Did you hear today or previously??</p>

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<p>I heard about a week ago. However, some kids in my school heard back almost a month ago. I was early notification of course.</p>

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<p>Congrats on Michigan! Great school. But if you have issues with PennState, then Michigan is no better…both HUGE schools with HUGE sports and while Michigan is ranked higher, the culture is pretty much the same. So I don’t get it. But if it turns you on, go for it!</p>

<p>Your list is fine. But essentially a 1300 SAT/1600 is not superb…its very good and congrats…90%plus…but that is tough to get into Ivy League or super elites with that. </p>

<p>Wake will probably give you a “yes.” Its a great school and they don’t call it “work forest” for nonething…you will work your rear end off…and have fun too!</p>

<p>UNC…doubtful at best. Its getting VERY hard to get into UNC from in-state, let alone out of state. I know kids with higher stats who got waitlisted in-state. They were’nt Governor’s School kids…so maybe that helps…good luck, but don’t count on it. And if UNC thinks you are going to head to Michigan anyway they will punt you faster than you can say football! They HATE to be told no from admitted kids, especially out of state, since its SO hard to get in. </p>

<p>UVa is also very hard to get in out of state. Legacy REALLY helps there. But its no guarantee. I prefer UVa to UNC anyway…not quite as liberal and not quite as much partying going on. (Sorry UNC fans…but its what people tell me who are at UNC right now.) I like UVa a lot…a WHOLE lot..enough to go there over Michigan without blinking. Plus its a lot smaller…about 16,000 versus 30,000 plus at Michigan.</p>

<p>Maryland will take you. Its a very underrated school in my opinion. Some programs are mediocre…but others are absolutely top drawer. National Archives are housed there as well…neat stuff! But I just dont like the “turtle” as the mascot. That is my “thing” and it sounds silly…and I know its superficial…call it cultural differences. But it may be perfect for you.</p>

<p>Georgetown? Hmmm…its a bit of a preppy school…and lots of people with “attitude” there…though its a great school. For business? Gosh…I would pick UNC and UVa over Georgetown on business anyday. Georgetown is GREAT if you want a government career and maybe prelaw or premed. But business doesnt strike me as their greatest strength. You may like it, however.</p>

<p>I think Cornell is a super school and offers some great opportunities…and its always been one of my favorite Ivy League schools…less snobby than the others. That is a fit…and if it turns you on and you get in…go for it!</p>

<p>Safety? Villanova, Lehigh, Bucknell…great private schools in Pa. Good luck!</p>

<p>And remember that humility goes a lot further in life than too much self promotion. You have a right to be proud and you have done very well and that is great news. Just be careful how that comes across to people. And whatever happens with whatever schools you get into…be compassionate towards others. I know people who RUINED long friendships last year by being ugly and insensitive when all the letters started rolling in. A true leader in life is a caring person. Its easy to be a “winner” when you are on top. Its when the bad stuff happens that you find out what YOU are really made of. </p>

<p>Good luck!</p>

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<p>Well if you don’t want to go to Penn State you should probably look into Pitt as a safety/in-state. You might look at Ohio State, as they’re a pretty good school and give a lot of merit-based aid.</p>

<p>Your stats are a reach for the Ivies and top schools, and a match for pretty much everywhere else.</p>

<p>What sort of issues do you have with PSU? Is it the size of the school or the culture or something else? Because most large public schools are very similar to PSU. However, if you are afraid of not fitting in, remember that in a school of 30,000+, it will be very difficult NOT to find a group of people similar to you.</p>

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<p>My problem with Penn State is probably one that applies only to me. My high school is probably the best in the state (PA of course, and judging by state test scores, etc) so there tend to be a lot of… very mediocre students who go. A lot of the drinkers/partiers for who school came second will still get in and go, even though I had a good time in HS, I still put in work, so I feel that if I went to PSU it was stupid of me work so hard in HS when I could’ve just partied. About 1/7 students for my HS go, my parents are leaving the state in 2 years (so no in-state tuition for 2-3 years).</p>

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<p>Oh. Well…I have news for you. Partying goes on at many schools, including some prestigious ones. One of the biggest partying schools in the south is a school that is extraordinarily difficult to get into, because of high admission standards and legacy issues: Washington and Lee. It is consistently rated on Princeton Review as a drinkers paradise…and its not beer we are talking about..its hard liquor. Many state schools, even prestigious ones have party problems and UNC_Chapel Hill is one of them. So is UVa. Name a school and partying goes on. Even at officially dry Furman University, drinking occurs. </p>

<p>I am with you on this issue and I think its sad that this issue has become part of our culture. Sociologists say it all started in the 60’s. Before then, it was less of an issue and mostly in upper crust fraternities and sororities. But mainly college was an academic privilege. Now it sadly is a social privilege and academics comes in a distant second place. </p>

<p>The solution is to try and pick a school where the overwhelming number of students are like you…more into academics and less into socializing in unhealthy ways. Then when you arrive on campus, request a dorm that is drug and alcohol free. My D is in such a dorm, but even there, there are a few people who like to break the rules. The deal is, however, that the vast majority of kids there DONT do those things and the overall culture is more academic and good clean fun. </p>

<p>The bottom line is really more about YOU than it is about drunks and immoral people. You have to decide to be disciplined and focused. If you find that the big freshmen dorms are just too party oriented at a school, then you may find yourself being ostracized and feeling lonely…or worse…irritated and unable to get sleep etc. So dont go there! Michigan is not exactly known as a non party school, either. Yes, the academics are superb…but you will be surprised how kids party even on school nights. Staying up until 200am or later on weeknights is not uncommon in freshmen dorms…as people are just wired, noisy and experiencing freedom for the first time in their lives…so bring earplugs! </p>

<p>There are schools that really frown on partying and such,mostly for liability issues. Some notable deaths occurred recently at MIT with binge drinking. Its very sad. Even “good kids” you knew in high school will engage in wilding for several weeks when they arrive on campus. Usually mid terms and term papers calm them down when they go, “OMG! I am failing Calculus and Chemistry! What will my parents say?” </p>

<p>Normally the larger the school the more likely it is a party school because its harder to enforce the rules and the sheer number of wild kids increases manifold. But even smaller schools, like W & L, have a problem with it. </p>

<p>If you are religious, then aim for a religious school perhaps. But otherwise, just visit campuses and do your research and see what you can find. And then look for substance free dorms! Or pledge a sorority that is substance free and more service oriented and less party and fratboy oriented.</p>

<p>And then also, you have to learn to get along with people. I dont condone underage drinking or immoral behavior. But it happens and you have to learn to get along with people. Of course, outrageous conduct should be reported to RA’s or campus police if necessary. But its part of the adjustment of college, being with people…LIVING with people who are different than you. That takes tolerance, social skills and maturity on YOUR part as much as theirs. </p>

<p>My D pulled a close friend aside at her school who she really liked and has a lot of promise…but has a drinking problem. She told him, “you are ruining your future and risking friendships. I care about you. Please stop. If you can’t stop, then get help. If you can’t do that, I will help you find help.” He admitted he had a problem and is now working on it. Apparently, he is brilliant and otherwise a very funny and highly regarded person, who just happens to have a drinking problem at age 19. Beyond that, all she can do is pray for him. </p>

<p>She also saw people who have morals of a weasel or mink. Shocking behavior. Its a rude awakening to reality if you live in a sheltered home environment. Yes, its very sad and very risky for those students. But they will be the losers. You can rise above it by refusing to behave like them. When bad things happen, she just goes for a long walk with her boyfriend, or goes over to the library to do studying or pleasure reading, or over to the student commons to buy a cup of cappucino and chat with “better people”. A lot of these kids who are noisy and misbehaving in the extreme (not the occasional Friday night party) will not be around for very long…their grades and behavior will catch up with them. Their academic advisors will be onto them quickly and say, “it seems you aren’t doing very well here at XYZ college…perhaps you need to consider some other school.” </p>

<p>And in some cases an all female school can offer a better environment. Hollins College in Virginia is a superb all female school, not far from W & L, Va. Tech and VMI. So if you want to date, there are kids not far from there. I hear that its an academic school as well. Does partying occur? Yes, but its much less severe and frequent. </p>

<p>Hope that helps. Good luck!</p>

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<p>thanks a lot, bump bump</p>