I’d like a relatively unbiased assessment of what might be some target or safe schools that could fit for me. I’m afraid I could overestimate my abilities and end up getting rejected for all the schools I apply for. Also, as they say, a safe school is not a safe school unless you are satisfied with the school.
Grade: 11
Area: Colorado, suburban
Academics:
PSAT: 1520 (NMSQT status pending)
SAT: 1590 (but no essay, or at least not yet)
SAT Subject Tests: (pending)
GPA: 4.0 UW (so far)
AP’s: Chinese (5), Statistics (5), Seminar (4), US History (5), etc (3 others pending this year: US Government, Calculus BC, Research)
EC’s: (Not very strong)
Math:
- AIME qualification (9th, 11th)
- Participation… (Math Prize for Girls in 10th, ARML in 10th and 11th)
- Teach math on weekends to class size ~20 middle-schoolers
Robotics:
- FRC: Part of a pretty good team, but no leadership position and did not do much in first year (10th and 11th; both years CAD)
- Internship (have been offered position)
Top Interests: (many)
- Neuropharmacology
- Nanobiotechnology
- Quantum Mechanics
- Cybersecurity
- Computer Programming
- Video Game Design
*more vaguely: STEM (~100% sure)
Wants:
- small class sizes (11 student size class was a good experience)
- any area but rural areas and medium or large sized college
- not religiously affiliated, or if affiliated with some religion, college does not emphasize said religion
- undergraduate research
- connections in areas of interest for research purposes
Would Appreciate:
- good food
- on campus housing
Monetary Needs: (vague)
- They refuse to pay more than in-state college tuition unless the college is “top tier” or I receive some scholarship(s).
Other:
- generally pessimistic, but I honestly believe that I do not have spectacular college essay writing skills
I can go into detail if asked.
Thanks in advance for responses!
With respect to undergraduate research opportunities, you should probably consider colleges from this list that match your general criteria: https://www.usnews.com/best-colleges/rankings/undergrad-research-programs.
You already know all the “tops” in the field and you already know your relatively mundane-for-a-top-student ECs will hurt you; most large state schools will have lecture halls with hundreds of students so if you want discussion-based or hands-on or seminar-style classes, your choices are more limited.
best matches: Smith, WPI, Case Western Reserve (+ Harvey Mudd, Olin)
Also: other women’s colleges, especially Scripps, Wellesley, Bryn Mawr; RPI;
UCincinnati (aim for co-op and Cincinatus scholarship + more selective honors within honors for some to try and reduce class size)
1° Run the NPC’s
2° Show interest now (it means “fill out the request info form” for each college; use your newly-created “serious/college-only” email and check it at least twice a week, opening every message and clicking on something: it’s tracked.)
There is a “push” and there is a “pull” to a top notch education. In the STEM world, think of the “push” as a tested base of established knowledge and is reflected by good grades. This is the foundation needed to reach the first rungs on an already defined path to an already defined solution.
Scientists and engineers are required to solve problems which are new and which do not already have defined solutions. While standing on established rungs, they must reach out for and discover new steps. They must pull themselves up to a new level. In the real world, a working design requires this. Well designed projects practice the “pull” part of the unique solution. Classroom lectures and supplemental readings supply the required “push.”
University/college admissions also involve a “push” and a “pull.” If the student spends the time identifying data relevant to their needs they are in a much stronger position to “pull” their interest toward and into the correct university. Students who work at this are much more likely to solve their problem successfully as they will generate the interest required to optimize their performance toward a successful goal…
Genuine interest is a major player here. Admissions committees in selective universities are looking for students who are genuinely pulled toward their specific program because of a match.
The “pull” in college admissions shows in a well thought through application because the match shows up! If one does not do the push, it is very difficult to put your best “pull” forward.
The University wants to build its best team.
The difference is not always defined by test scores or even GPA.