res__nullius

Hey guys!
I'm still trying to find some similar schools because I'm chickening out on one of them (I'm cutting it close-- I know). The schools I am sure that I am applying to are:
UC Davis
UH Manoa
Reed College
Wesleyan University
University of Puget Sound
Occidental College

Extra info: I'm going in as a biology major.

So, any expertise, advice, or opinion would be greatley appreciated. Muchas gracias!

johnwesley

Evergreen State (WA)

mynameiszach

What are you looking for specifically ... Reed and UCDavis and UH are completely different ...

res__nullius

You're quite right Zach.
I'm really opting for a smaller school (I consider UCD and UHM back-up schools not in terms of their academics, which are pretty good, but because they are BIG BIG BIG).

Liberal arts, if possible, but I'm open to anything.

----------------------------------
Oh, and vossron made a good point: people can't really suggest schools to me without my stats, eh?


SATs:
CR- 630 W- 650 M- 570
1850/1200

SATIIs:
Biology E- 640
Literature- 670

APs
bio- 4; AP lang- 4; AP gov't- 3

ACTs are due in sometime soon... my practice tests have been around a 29, so I'm hoping the actual results will be around that.

Classes:
I take only the toughest (this year 3 APs... but considering my school's size and location, it's considered a loaded course), and I maintain a decent GPA (3.8 unweighted).

I know I rank at least in the top 15% of my class (which is about 70 students. Crazy!)

Extracurriculars:
I am a jazz drummer, and I drum for my school's jazz band (two years, as of next year)-- I also played bass the two years before that.
I also have been selected for numerous honor bands for percussion.
I have been studying classical piano for ten years now, and I occasionally teach novices.
I also play guitar somewhat proficiently.
I have won many awards at various musical festivals for performing solos.

Other than music, I have:
been student council executive secretary for two years;
been executive secretary to an inter-school student council (a whole bunch of stuco reps from schools in the Tokyo area team up together);
been on the school's Model UN team for three years as of next year;
been a Sunday School teacher for two years as of next year;
been a published poet in a magazine twice;
been in the school's NHS chapter for all years students are eligible (since tenth grade)-- I am historian this year;
been nationally recognized for my writing (NCTE).
I also volunteer at my church and at the local library a great deal, and I'm sure I've got at least 150 hours under my belt.

Other:
I've lived in Japan for the past ten years (but I'm not Japanese); my school is incredibly small (it is a DoDEA school); I am a military brat (and thus, I'll need all the financial aid I can get); and I will be a first generation-er.

fireflyscout

If you are interested in pursuing music (major or minor or just for fun), then I'd suggest Oberlin or Lawrence. I believe Lawrence is SAT optional.

OneMom

How about U Rochester- good financial aid and music. It would be a match to low reach. Maybe you should look at Ohio Wesleyan and Denison, or at schools on that level. Wesleyan is very, very competitive. You don't have the scores. However, they may want you for the music and for your unusual background, living in Japan. Goucher may be good- I think that they can take courses at Peabody Conservatory.

weenie

Good suggestions above. I'd second Denison (my son goes there, loves it, and plays music there). You might qualify for merit scholarship at Denison and they offer music scholarships to non-majors too. Some more info:
A mom’s perspective of Denison

You should consider other strong music places - Lawrence for sure, St. Olaf, Duquesne Univeristy.

You better get going though!!! Good luck.

res__nullius

I'm fully aware that many of the schools on my list are reaches-- however, it gets very discouraging after a while to be told that over and over again (this isn't the only thread where I've heard so). After all, these schools wouldn't be on my list if I hadn't done my homework, still was absolutely crazy about going to them, and am taking the time to apply even though I know the odds are against me. I appreciate people telling me this, as I do know it is all in my best interest, but please, I just want suggestions for similar schools.

Thanks everybody for the suggestions so far: I've checked up on them, and they all look pretty good. Ahhh! Now to narrow things down yet again.

mom58

Have you considered other strong LAC/ small universities in the West--Whitman, Santa Clara, U Seattle, maybe PLU?
Are you looking for more reaches, matches or safeties? If you are wanting to add a couple excellent, but reach-type schools, consider Grinnell and Carleton (both known for science).

mom58

Posters suggest strong music schools. Is this so OP can continue a presumed continuing interest in music as an avocation, because of the possibility of financial aid, or because music talent might enhance chance of admission at one of these schools?

I hope that my D will consider schools with strong music programs for the first two reasons. I wonder if the third (admission) is valid, or if just the opposite is true.

slipper1234

Whitman................

weenie

mom58:
I find being a musician isn't as much of an admissions hook as it probably should be. These kids have worked so hard and are so accomplished...But anyway, for a fairly advanced musician, who would like to continue to play and improve during college, a strong music program is very helpful. Frankly, it just isn't fun or helpful to play in a bad orchestra! Also, access to a good teacher is usually better in a school known for a decent music program.

On the other hand, if you aren't a music major, you can end up at a school with too STRONG of a music program (or too BIG of a music program), and you're shut out of the ensembles. So it's a balancing act.

The ironic part (and I think you're already aware of it) is that a music hook is less of a big deal at schools with strong music programs, because there's just more kids coming in with that strength. It's the schools with "developing" music programs that will really want your musician.

Any scholarship money for a non-major is usually small, but can still be added to a bigger merit scholarship (at least, that was the case for my son at Denison).

Anyway, that's my understanding of the landscape, and it was reinforced with my son's experience.

By the way, son #2 is a musician and is applying to engineering schools. That is a really tough landscape for a musician!

shennie

Lewis and Clark

Momwaitingfornew

Skidmore, Dickinson, Lafayette.