College advice pls - What major should I apply as?

Chance Me / Match Me
1

Hi everyone, I am a 16 yr old white female student (rising senior) at a very competitive residential arts school, where I transferred from a pretty competitive STEM Magnet program. I have put a good bit of research into my college list, which is roughly as follows:

Reaches: Dartmouth, Vanderbilt, RISD/Brown DM program, Tufts
On-targets: UNC Chapel Hill, Tulane, Colgate, UT Austin
Safeties: USC Honors

I know I want to double major in studio art and a science, but in addition to advice on my selected colleges and how they match my resume, I would really appreciate any advice on what to apply as. I’ve received some advice telling me to apply as an English major, then switch over once I get accepted, because my math grades and scores are the weakest parts of my application.
I got a 28 in math on my ACT, a 33 in science, and 36s in reading and English as well as a 10/12 on my writing. In addition, I got a 3 on my AB calc exam, and 5s in US History and Language.

I am a pretty strong English student, but I also have built up a good bit of science related pieces of my application - major independent research project sophomore year, spending 2 years in a STEM magnet program, working as a STEM coach this summer, etc. Is it worth leaving these pieces out of my college essays because of my math scores?

Details:
SAT: 1520
ACT: 33, 10 on writing

There is no class rank at my school, but at my old school I was around 30/650.
UW: 3.85 W: 4.6-ish

Extracurriculars:

  • Captain and founder of running club at my school (no other sports available)
  • V Cross-country and JV pole vaulting freshman and sophomore year
  • Club (2012-2015) and recreational soccer (2015-2017)
  • Worked part time at a math and reading tutoring center for 9 months sophomore year
  • Member of honor council at my current school
  • HOSA member freshman + sophomore year
  • Part time nannying job for three summers, about ~20 hours a week
  • STEM coach at a summer program for 4 weeks this summer
  • Member of my school’s community service club for 2 years
  • Also member in GSA, Film Club, and International Relations Club for 2 years

Awards:

  • Scholastic Silver keys in Printmaking and Graphic Design (freshman and junior year)
  • 1st place in statewide institute art contest
  • 2nd place in same statewide contest in essay category
  • Best in Show at school wide (~2500 students) art show sophomore year
  • 1st place in Microbiology research paper category at the state level, publication in a junior state-level journal
  • 99% sure about National Merit Semifinalist this year
  • AP Scholar with Honor

Recs: Very good from AP Lang teacher, most likely strong from AP Bio and AP Lit teachers

APs: Human Geography (4), US History (5), Lang&Comp (5), Calc AB (3) < will most likely not submit, advice?
Course load senior year: AP Bio, AP Lit, AP Art History, H Spanish

My school allows a maximum of 3 APs per year, which is why I only have 7 total, because of the large number of arts classes we are expected to take (about 6 extra classes per semester, all honors).

2

What’s in-state?
If Texas, you’ll be disadvantaged by the fact your school doesn’t rank.
If oos, your odds are low simply because there are so few spots for Oos applicants (it is a public university meant to serve the students of Texas; 75% come from the top 6% instate, then there are academic admits from Texas and athletes, which take up most of the remaining spots; Oos applicants and internationals compete for the last few places.)
Same thing, although less drastic, for UNC if you’re not from North Carolina.
If you like Texas, look into UTDallas (+ Collegium V and AES scholarships), Uhouston (+ Honors college).
You’d need another safety. Depending on your budget, another Honors college (Barrett, Schreyer, Alabama, UTDallas…) Would be a good idea.
If you like Colgate, what about Hamilton? Bucknell?

3

None of these schools are matches, let alone safeties, they are all reaches (some higher than others, but reaches).

4

As suggested above, you might want to consider Hamilton. It offers the flexible curriculum of Brown with a beautiful location similar to Colgate’s, as well great studio arts and sciences facilities. Though Colgate offers an incredible science building as well!

Regarding your application, I’d suggest you approach the details honestly. If you like visual arts and sciences, then simply state that appropriately when asked. In any case, at most private colleges, you will not apply for a major. You will be likely to be asked your tentative academic interests, which the school will understand as subject to change.

5

It doesn’t really matter what you go in as. I would say decide what you actually like, and then pick something on the more unique side. Are you interested in STEM or English (or both?). Many colleges, such as Rice, read your application based on your intended major. Saying English would be a much stronger bet for you here.

6

I’d also recommend Hamilton, primarily, in your case, for its good balance between fine arts and natural sciences.

7

I’ll also chime in for Hamilton- their new studio arts building is amazing. Studio art majors get their own beautiful studio space senior year. It seems a small but supportive community where the department head opens a lot of doors for her students. Their arts program seemed to us significantly stronger than Colgate (the only other school on your list we saw). And the open curriculum will let’s you follow the academic path you choose.
The Brown/Risd DM can be tough (I went to Risd) as socially you can feel a bit of a fish out of water. While physically intertwined there is very little social interaction between the two schools.
I would agree with the comment above that you need more target and safety schools. Look at Skidmore and Bard in that respect.

8

You need to visit Hamilton and Colgate to evaluate the depth and scope of their course offerings and facilities.

FWIW and for now, Colgate has a student body roughly 35% larger and is D1 with respect to varsity athletics. What flows from that dynamic, and what you appreciate as you speak with students, faculty and staff, and tour the campuses should help you contrast these fine LACs.

Good luck with your college search!