If Atlanta is your southern boundary, you might also look into Oglethorpe University there; it would seem to meet your criteria for additional schools.
What is your county of residence in North Carolina?
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You are in-state with great stats. I do not think that you need automatic admissions. Your chances at NC state to me look very good. I agree with others that it is worth an application.
This is very, very likely to give you one more very good and affordable option to consider when it comes time to decide where to attend for your undergraduate education.
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With respect to this preference, this survey-based information may be of interest:
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Even if you got into Harvard, would you be able to afford it?
Lawrence University has merit scholarships that would bring the cost down to $40k or less, and is strong in physics.
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I just want to say that I love that you are pursuing humanities !
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Thanks for the suggestion. Does my county of residence matter? I feel like saying it would reveal too much.
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Thank you. That’s a pretty interesting list.
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Harvard isn’t the only school that doesn’t give merit on my list. I think it could be affordable. But it’s not like I would definitely go to Harvard, even if I got in. I’ll be comparing admissions offers to see which ones financially make sense.
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Definitely add NC State on the list. It’s very stem and mathy. I would think it’s would be a more likely fit than UNC-C.
I would leave App on because it feels smaller and you are wanting that.
Also I think you are a great candidate for Davidson although it can be very expensive. I’d move it into the toss-up/target category. I think you are also a good candidate for UNC but also good to not just assume you’ll get in.
Have you considered Duke? They offer some really good scholarships to NC residents that may make it more affordable but your parents’ income may be too high. Worth looking at it with them and seeing.
If you want another safety women’s college you could add Hollins in Roanoke Va. I’d put it in the very likely category. And it would come in under budget. I’m not sure how strong their math program is but might be worth a quick visit. Beautiful area.
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Your credentials are way strong for Oglethorpe. If you like womens’ colleges you might consider looking at Agnes Scott in Atlanta. If you have questions about Vassar, happy to answer (as a Vassar grad). There is no greek life so no worries about that. Any specific questions? FWIW, a friend of mine was a math major and was a tenured math professor at a LAC for many, many years.
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Thank you for the advice. I’m quite hesitant on moving a school with an acceptance rate below 20% into a toss-up category. Isn’t Davidson really hard to get into, even for people with strong academics?
I considered Duke originally, but now I feel like I would not really like the undergrad culture there. I’m also not sure they would give my family scholarships. I’ll look into Hollins. Thanks for your suggestions!
I had Agnes Scott on my list for a while, but I grew concerned with its financial trouble. I might add it back on, but after meeting someone who earned a full ride there and spends her semesters abroad instead of on campus, I haven’t been too optimistic.
I have several questions about Vassar, but you don’t have to answer all of them.
Did you enjoy your time there? What did you study?
Where did people hang out and what did they do for fun?
In harder classes, does it feel like people are competing or helping each other?
How approachable were the professors?
Is there anything you disliked about your experience at Vassar?
Those are all I can think of at the moment. Thank you for your help!
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Note that Amherst, Grinnell and Smith from your current list offer notably flexible curricula, which would seem to suit your desire for exploration.
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I’ll try to answers some of those in a PM but as for the faculty, they are not only extremely approachable, they invite you to dinner sometimes! I always found students to be extremely helpful and collegial. Never felt an ounce of competitiveness.
Honestly the match/reach thing is irrelevant.
You need the assured and affordable. After that you can build the list however you like.
People get into reaches - so are they really a reach ?
And get denied at targets. Are they really targets ?
In the past, the admissions rates for the more populous NC counties – Wake and Mecklenburg come readily to mind – had lower admission rates because of all the students in those counties with high test scores and GPAs.
A few years ago the UNC system undertook a plan to increase admissions from more rural and economically more depressed counties, as a way of balancing representation at UNC on a statewide basis (there may have been a legislative impetus, I don’t recall). I used to have the documents bookmarked, but no longer. Some internet research might provide an answer; or @Sweetgum might have some insights, as I think that she lives in NC.
Yes, her credentials are way strong for Oglethorpe; but that might benefit the OP in merit award consideration by the school.
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Ogelthorpe will match UNC tuition for this student.
Lots of “high stat” kids go to budget friendly schools everywhere - so they’d be an outlier but not an only.
But Agnes Scott will be more diverse if that’s a desire.
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I would look into St. John’s College.
It matches what you are interested in and then some.
It’s the kind of school you love or hate, and it’s rather niche. No exams, no grades (you know of, but are available if you have a good reason), everything done through small-class discussion that often extends beyond actual class time.
Really, it prepares you for nothing you can’t do with just a high school diploma. However, they have agreements with several graduate schools where you can do a wide variety of Master’s degrees, which will certainly prepare you for a job and/or a PhD.
It’s different, but it has one of the highest admission rates to graduate school in the USA. Of course, there is the extra time and money to do a master’s. It also polarises. Some love it so much they don’t consider any other school, others shrug and say, ”What’s the point?”
There is really only one way to find out whether you love it or it’s not your thing. Visit, sit in on a discussion-based class, and chat with faculty and students. I think if you want to go, you will have no problems. Personally, when I was young, I would have said, “What’s the point?” Now, I am older; I realise I would have much preferred to skip years 11 and 12 and attend such a school instead (the school has multiple admission paths, so attending college early is quite possible). I was so disengaged in years 11 and 12; it was pitiful, but discussing important issues and honing my critical thinking would have been much better and more enjoyable than enduring school. I was so disengaged that I didn’t go to university after year 12, got an entry-level government job instead, and only got my desire back when I was about 20, when I did my degree in math part-time. Everything worked out fine, but I now wince at the wasted years of my life.
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Thank you so much for your answers!
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