To what caliber of colleges should I apply? 10 points, and I give out thumbs ups liberally ;-)?

Question

Hello all,

I'm wondering if I should be applying more to the top schools (like MIT, Stanford, Princeton, Duke), or more like mid range schools (Emory, Purdue, Carnegie Mellon).  

I have a list of schools, but I need to choose whether to focus on top or mid range schools.  I've listed some of my qualifications below.  Please tell me what you think!

I am a high school senior, concurrently enrolled in college.  I have taken summer classes since I was a freshman, getting As and Bs in college and straight As (ok, 2 Bs) in high school.  I took classes throughout my junior year, and I'm taking more this year.  I had some personal stuff come up that affected my grades- I got 2 Cs (out of 10 classes- the others are a mix of As and Bs), but I have court documentation of the incident that affected things, and a way to explain everything.  The incident that really screwed things up gives me a "hardship" to overcome, which is pretty decent for apps.

I've done stage crew and lights for 3 years of school plays, and acted in a play entirely in French (I've skipped two years of French, done AP French literature, and French club).

I've volunteered with the county doing forest restoration since the summer before junior year.  I've also been the president of a club for the past two years, and secretary beforehand.

I'm currently doing an internship and research project at a lab at the local powerhouse research university (state school, but very well regarded).  I will submit an abstract and letter of rec from my prof with my apps.  I'm also submitting my project to several science competitions.  The project has biofuels applications, which relates to my involvement in environmental volunteer work.

I have a 4.47 GPA at high school, and I don't really know my college GPA- it isn't as good, but around a 3.2-.3.  My SAT scores are about 2200, and I have a 34 ACT.  I'm retaking those tests, and doing my subject tests this fall.  I should score a bit better this time around.

I have WONDERFUL teacher recommendations from my history and biology teachers.  They love me.  The one from my bio teacher will mention how I made biodiesel in my blender for a class project- further emphasis of the environmental thing.

I have a couple ideas for creative essays about how I see science in everyday life,  and find inspiration in it.  i think I can write a good essay.  All my personal essays for LA class have been greatly loved by my teacher and friends.

Please don't make fun of me.  I'm already insecure enough with all these applications, and I don't think I can take anymore.  Some honest advice would be great!

Points to whomever takes this seriously and gives some good advice.

Miss P · Accepted Answer

I think it would be good to apply to schools from both groups.  You have your reaches and your safety schools.  If you don't get accepted to the top schools then at least you will have been accepted into mid-range schools, which are still good schools.  And don't let the cost of tuition deter you from applying to any school.  Once you get accepted you get a financial aid package and it is enough to cover your costs then that's good.  If it's not enough, then you just don't go to that school.

b · Answer

I find it funny that you consider Emory, Purdue, and Carnegie Mellon to be mid-range schools, lol.

As far as the Ivy League goes, do you really want to graduate with $200k in debt? Or are your parents wealthy? If your parents are wealthy, I suggest you apply to your "top schools", because that's likely the only way you'll be able to get in. You can apply to a couple of Ivies just for fun, but don't get your hopes up.

There's nothing wrong with the other schools that you mentioned, and I think you have a good shot of getting into those based on your academics and extracurricular activities.

Good luck.

MrCMC · Answer

I think you have a decent shot as anyone of getting in.  But that is still a very low percentage.  You should apply to a couple really good public universities for backup.

I recently went with my sister to Swarthmore College in Pennsylvania.  It is a small private Liberal Arts school and is ranked 3rd in the nation for liberal arts schools.  It can be considered on of the unofficial ivies.

They have one of the best undergraduate Biology programs in the nation (7th I think) as well as an environmental studies minor. They also have a solid foreign language and international studies department including French.  Many students study abroad all over the world and the school pays for it as well.

Its an expensive school but they are very generous with financial aid.  They also have a deal with neighboring colleges (Bryn Mawr, Penn, and Haverford) that allows you to take courses there as well.

You should check it out.

Trending News

To what caliber of colleges should I apply? 10 points, and I give out thumbs ups liberally ;-)?

3 Answers