Cost Constraints / Budget $65k full cost of attendance
Intended Major(s)
Undecided (or possibly bio, and possibly business for washU)
GPA, Rank, and Test Scores
Unweighted HS GPA: 4.0
Weighted HS GPA: 4.51
Class Rank: first decile
ACT/SAT Scores: 35 ACT
List your HS coursework
English: AP LANG, AP LIT, English 1H + 2H
Math: AP CALC AB, AP STATS, algebra 2H, pre calc H
Science: AP COMPSCI P, AP CHEM, AP BIO, physics H, chem H
History and social studies: AP HUMAN GEO, world history H, us history 1H + 2H
Language other than English: Spanish 1-4 H
Visual arts: art history, digital photography, graphic design
College Coursework psychology 101 (received an A)
Awards
Scholarship āArtist of Promiseā award to U Hartford totaling 92k
Most improved for track
Scholarship for getting a 5 in AP chem and an A in the class
Extracurriculars
4 year varsity winter & spring track, charity manager of NHS, summer camp counselor, volunteer with ambulance squad with 150+ hours. Member of math NHS, science NHS, and medical club, each with about 20 hours.
Schools
THESE ARE ONLY MY REACHES!!!: Princeton RD, University of Richmond EA, Johnās Hopkins RD, Vanderbilt RD, WASHU RD
I think you know these are impossible to chance but you seem an outstanding applicant. Iād assume Richmond is a target leaning toward in with a great B school.
If business is truly a desire, Iād question a few of these.
Let us know after your parents run the NPCs to ensure these work.
If your family is high income, itās very likely that these colleges will cost more than $65,000 a year. Have you run the net price calculators for them?
Iāve run the NPCs, and none of these colleges/Universities besides Princeton are affordable with aid. However my parents want me to apply and hope for enough merit aid to bridge the gap.(personally I think the chances are slim lol)
Also thank you! Can you let me know more about your thoughts on my major?
It just so happens that Richmond, JHU, Vandy and Wash U all give merit - so they are hail maryās but - you never know.
SInce you have Richmond, did you look at W&L - the Johnson Scholarship - 10% of enrollees get it - a full ride and then some.
Thoughts on major - I donāt know what your goal is - biology - is it med school? Business - is it Wall Street?
Are goals unknown.
If I wanted a business major, I wouldnāt apply to Princeton or Hopkins. Vandy works as they have a mini business program. Econ isnāt business - and do you know what facet of business interests you - finance, supply chain, marketing, more?
In the end, I always say major over school - Iād want to study what I wanted to studyā¦vs. study something I donāt like.
So if thereās a chance you want to study business, Iād apply to business schools - much easier to change to bio than vice versa.
I would make a list of reach schools that give merit: Vanderbilt, Wash U, etc. Keep your expectations in check- getting in without merit is a reach.
Schools like Richmond might be a strong target, but become a reach because you need merit to attend. Same for W&L etc.
Take a look at Lafayette and similar LACs that give merit. Maybe look at Hobart and William Smith, Denison, Rhodes etc.
You would likely do well, merit wise, at honors programs/colleges within state schools- U of SC, Ohio State, etc. Take a look at at Pitt, Maryland and SUNY schools. Some of these schools might fall within budget even without merit.
Apply to Princeton if it is affordable, but again, keep your expectations in check.
Are you thinking premed/prehealth as a possibility?
Iāll be adding more LACs to my list and taking off JHU. Iām also applying to multiple honors colleges and business schools. Thank you @tsbna44@twogirls for all the advice, I really appreciate it!
You are a competitive candidate. You, as a high-stat NJ student might have an infinitesimal edge at Princeton, as P does accept more NJ students than what might be expected for a state of its size and stature. While P does not have a business school; however, its graduates are still adequately prepared for the business world (Mr. Bezos majored in Electrical Engineering while at P).
The major of Operations Research and Financial Engineering (ORFE) offered through the School of Engineering and Applied Sciences at P is well-sought after, and very popular for students who want to work with the āquantitativeā side of the business world, but do understand that ORFE is not for applications in the business sector only. Think about Pās informal motto, āIn the Nationās Service and Service of Humanityā and let it inspire you on the all important application essays. As you know, P does not admit by major, so you are not hampered by not having decided on a specific path yet.
