Advice on college list? URM female, decent stats

College Search & Lists
1

How does my college list look? I’m applying to 10 schools, and I think my list is too reach heavy. I am only applying to financially feasible schools, which is why my list consists of 3 instate schools and 7 privates that would give good money. The schools that would be matches would be too expensive.

Intended major: English

-Black female (originally from East Africa)
-GPA: 4.1W/3.81UW
-46 total letter grades: 40 A’s, 4 B’s, 1 C+ (1st semster of soph honors Chem, got a B- 2nd semster), 1 C- (1st semster of Calc AB junior year, got a B 2nd semester)

-SAT: 710 CR+W/630M (1340) using this to apply to my instate public safeties EA & will update with october ACT score
-ACT composite: 31 (36E, 35R, 27M, 26S) right now, but will likely be 33 (Dec 10 ACT)

-AP scores (9 so far, 2 more senior year): AP Lang-5, AP lit-4, APUSH-4, AP Euro-4, AP world history-4, AP US Gov-5, AP environmental-4, AP microecon-4, AP Calc AB-5

  • IB diploma candidate -Attending a nationally ranked top 20 (as ranked by US news) public high school. It's the best in the state and geographical location.

Senior year classes (anticipating all A’s this semester):
IB math SL
IB History HL2
IB bio HL2 (AP bio)
IB english HL2
AP french
Theory of Knowledge
Spanish 1
Environmental Systems & Societies SL

SCHOOLS (10 total)
-3 instate publics (including flagship)
-Tulane
-Emory
-USC (California)
-Notre Dame
-Penn
-Harvard
-Stanford

I’ve already been accepted to the 3 instate schools and the honors program of my state flagship. I’d be perfectly happy attending one of them (especially the flagship), so I’m definitely not going to be depressed if I don’t get into any of the other 7 schools (I know my chances are very very very slim).

2

If you already have those three acceptances, then you should definitely apply to the other reachy schools, since you have acceptances in hand.

3

You have a good chance at all those schools except Harvard and Stanford. They are reaches for everyone even with a hook. But definitely apply.

4

ECs: tutor for inner city students (25+ hours), worked during summers and for 1st semester junior year, president of cultural club (raises money for international organizations-currently organizing book drive), NHS (head of tutoring), Student Council (head of a committee), volunteered at hospital (60+ hours), attended symposium with senator, organized citywide health event with Mayor’s office

5

If you can afford your in-state schools (and since you said you would be happy to attend) then your list is not too reach heavy.

6

Kenyon, as well as several of the NESCACs, could be excellent matches for your academic interests.

These resources could help you sort your options by their financial aid policies and academic expectations:

http://www.usnews.com/education/best-colleges/paying-for-college/articles/2016-09-19/colleges-that-claim-to-meet-full-financial-need

http://www.■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■/college-profiles-new-sat/

7

Kenyon is very beautiful, but I decided not to apply to liberal arts college because they’re too small (population). And I like colleges in urban areas or college towns.

8

@merc81 just went through those links, and I found them very helpful!

9

I’m glad, @ZBlue17!

Btw, I might have inferred from your current choices that you would not be that likely to have a particular interest in LACs. However, some students for whom they could be a great match have not always heard of specific colleges from this group, so I wasn’t sure if that could have been the case with you.

10

.

11

Any more thoughts and suggestions given my stats and everything else?

12

I would say that Notre Dame, Penn, Harvard and Stanford are definitely very very reached given your GPA and scores. Chances would be extremely slim. Since you said you wanted a college town though, I believe Harvard and Penn have more of that feeling than do ND and Stanford. I heard that Harvard can be generous with aid - ND not so much. I’m not quite sure what Stanford and Penn are like with financial aid, but I know Penn is a very liberal campus. However, I think you have a great chance at USC. Also, if it makes you feel better, colleges should be able to see your semester grades - just final grades, but check with your counselor on that. Still, congrats on the schools you’re already into!

13

Bump

14

OP, I think you have a shot at all of these schools, but if you can boost your standardized test scores that would be a big help. What is your rank?

Related to Notre Dame specifically, if you really wish to attend, then you need to figure out a way to show how you are fit for the campus. Have you visited? Also, my D attends and their financial aid is very generous. Good luck!

15

@suzy100 I don’t mean to get too personal with this and if you don’t feel like relaying this information to me it is absolutely fine… how much did your daughter get for your respective income bracket. Mine is 180k+ and am praying that first and foremost I get in and secondly get aid. Thanks!

16

@“the macho taco 2017”

https://npc.collegeboard.org/student/app/nd

17

@suzy100 my school does not rank! I’m taking the Dec ACT and hoping for a 33+. I’m not optimistic that will happen though because I haven’t had anytime to study at all.

18

Update: Accepted EA to Tulane with 27K a year!!

19

Say what? penn is smack in the middle of Philadelphia. Harvard is smack in the middle of Cambridge which is an extension of Boston. Neither has a small town feel…at all. They are both in major metro areas.

@junior2017