I trust the wisdom of parents so can I get opinions on my college list?

[john6391]

Reach Schools

- University of Michigan Ann Arbor

- University of Maryland College Park

Match Schools

- Michigan State University

- Indiana University

- University of Massachusetts Amherst

- Florida State University

- Miami University

Safety Schools

-Grand Valley State University

-Adrian College

-Western Michigan University

-Albion College

-Eckerd College

Here are my credentials:

GPA: 3.25 UW

ACT: 24 (taking again in sept. expecting 25 to 28, taking a prep course)

ECs:
Captain of Varsity Wrestling Team
JV Cross Country
Internship in Michigan House of Representatives
Internship with University of Michigan Dearborn Professor
100+ Volunteer Hours
Student Council

Awards:
Honor Roll
Leadership Award
Science Fair Honorable Mention
Varsity Wrestling Award
Varsity Letter Award

Honors Courses: 3

State of Residency: Michigan

Recommendations:
University of Michigan Dearborn Professor
A State Representative
1 Teacher (very good recommendation and I can get more)
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So this is my college list and my credentials. Are my rankings accurate? I plan to go pre med with a major in micro or cellular biology. Do you think there are some schools I should cut off or add.

Thanks

[Prism123]

looks good, but do you really need all 5 safeties?

[azsxdc]

Remove 2 safeties you don't want to go to, or 1 safety and 1 match. I'm not a parent but I think it's best to remove schools you wouldn't give a thought of attending in the first place.

[2collegewego]

I am not familiar with your safety schools but I think you have assessed your chances well.

A few caveats:
1- You are applying to several state universities as an out-of-state student. They are unlikely to meet your financial need. Make sure this is ok (meaning that your parents could pay full tuition or close to it if you go).
2- I would bet a bunch of these schools have rolling admissions. Get your applications in **early**! A school that is a safety in September is a reach in March.

As far as there being too many schools... There probably are but it's June. Use the next few months to visit and find out as much as you can about the schools and then weed out any schools where you really aren't willing to go.

Last, think about what you want in a college. You asked for recommendations for LACs for premed yet the reach and match schools are all unis. Question: where do *you* do better-- in a small environment or a larger university? Pre-med is a difficult course of study and you will want to go to a university where you can get the requisite gpa.

[momofthreeboys]

Agree you can probably drop a couple before you start applying, but it looks like your list is shaping up! Have you visited or can you visit all the Michigan schools (Adrian, Albion GVSU and Western?)- that might help you drop a couple, too.

[john6391]

i visited adrian, Michigan State, and UMich, visiting GVSU this monday, Western next week, as well as albion. My dad gets summers off for his job and just got off this week. So we are getting a of visits done. Already

[Marian]

You are correct that the University of Maryland is a reach for you, but that doesn't mean you shouldn't try for it. Your Michigan residence might be a plus. (Most out-of-staters at UMd are from New York or New Jersey; therefore, you are just a little bit exotic.)

Make sure that you send part I of your application to UMd by the priority application deadline of November 1 and part II by December 1. This is not early decision, and it's not rolling admissions. You won't be notified any earlier than the people who apply later. But you should meet the early deadline because it's the only way to be considered for the various goodies offered by the university -- merit scholarships and eligibility for various honors or special interest programs. Your credentials are not in the range that would get you a merit scholarship or an invitation into Honors, but you might want to be considered for some of the special interest programs. Some of them are quite interesting, and they help to make a huge campus seem smaller. Go on the UMd web site and look up CIVICUS and College Park Scholars. You may find something to your taste.

[Prism123]

^You will be notified earlier if you meet those deadlines at UMD...