Narrowing the List: Please Help!

decanela · 07-04-2009, 12:56 AM

I'm starting my application process and have settled on 13 schools I am interested in. A concerned friend told me that I should definitely narrow it down and focus on a few applications instead. Is 13 way too much? If so how can I narrow these down?

1. Princeton
2. Brown
3. Georgetown
4. Columbia
5. Duke
6. U Penn
7. Dartmouth
8. Emory
9. Rice
10. Tufts
11. Boston U
12. UNC

(No specific order)
Thanks!

Ray192 · 07-04-2009, 01:43 AM

Err, how are we exactly supposed to help you narrow down the list if you don't tell us your preferences?

LogicWarrior · 07-04-2009, 01:51 AM

Georgetown
Columbia
Penn
Rice
Boston U
UNC

EAK9 · 07-04-2009, 02:37 AM

The locations are very different, the schools are ranked differently, their strengths are different... I think you need to be more specific there...

frutiaspice · 07-04-2009, 05:55 AM

Tell us WHY you have chosen each school in the first place and we'll help you from there.

teenage_cliche · 07-04-2009, 10:19 AM

Agree with frutiaspice, and also, do you think you have any safeties on that list?

decanela · 07-04-2009, 11:44 AM

Sorry guys. That post was completely vague. (How did I not notice that?)

1. Brown
-This school has been my lover for a very long time. At one point I was even considering applying ED. My career plan of choice is interdisciplinary (public health) and so I think I could make an amazing use of the open curriculum. Also, the student body draws me. Being surrounded by a diverse group of people hand picked for their passion is something I haven't experienced. I want to love where I'm at when I go to college (I've spent too many years indifferent to high school) and at Brown I could definitely do this.
2. Georgetown
-Their International Health program is what draws me. (It's incredible). The career-focused side of me pushes for Georgetown. Internships and study abroad are placed in the curriculum. Plus living in DC for four years is something that sounds incredible to me. Their Black Student Alliance website also pushed me over the edge. (Coming from suburban Minnesota that will be a new experience.)
3. Columbia
-Incredibly diverse student body, Unique opportunity for intellectual growth through the Core, Joint enrollment program with Julliard (I play piano)
4. Dartmouth
-Diverse student body, Undergraduate Focus (I was convinced to apply to this school when I went to one of their information sessions, despite its rural location and all)
5. Boston
-Liked it a lot when I visited. Loved Boston. Lots of opportunity with such a large university. Supposed to be my safety??? (I'm a URM, with a higher GPA and ACT score then their averages)

decanela · 07-04-2009, 11:53 AM

So uh wow I feel dumb I guess I really didn't need too much help.
I just deleted the cities I hate. (Philly & Atlanta)
Realized Tufts was on my list for no reason.
Just decided to discriminate against Rice because I hate the idea of residential colleges.

Princeton was more or less the same reason as everything else..(+ Cornel West)
And I figure I should do more research on Duke and UNC before I add them to my list.
So:
1. Brown
2. Georgetown
3. Columbia
4. Dartmouth
5. Boston U

teenage_cliche · 07-04-2009, 12:51 PM

Much more reasonable a list. You could even add 1-2 more, if you're willing to do a couple more apps.

Generally speaking, one of the best and most reliable safeties for a top student is their instate public school. Would you be willing to apply to UMinn just to have a definite safety?

decanela · 07-04-2009, 12:58 PM

Everyone tells me I should but I honestly would rather jump off a cliff than stay in Minnesota one more year. Wisconsin and Iowa (where I would get in-state tuition) also trigger my depression.

Do I have any other options?

teenage_cliche · 07-04-2009, 01:48 PM

UMich has rolling admissions, so apply there early rather then late and it should be a good low match/safety if you're a URM with impressive stats.

koreanxpanda · 07-04-2009, 01:49 PM

you def need some safeties just in case!

Yakyu Spirits · 07-04-2009, 01:54 PM

I don't want to put you down, but you have almost no safeties. It would be very sad if you end up getting rejected from all your choices and have no safeties to fall back on (it's a possibility). Add your state flagships just for security.

decanela · 07-04-2009, 02:14 PM

Yeah I understand, better safe than sorry!
Do you all have any suggestions on good safeties?

(Other than U of Minn & U of Wisconsin)
Would U of I be considered a safety?

Anonymous91 · 07-04-2009, 03:16 PM

13 colleges isn't too much, just make sure that at least three of them are safety's/matches.