My list
Brown
UCLA
UCB
UCSD
BU
Brandeis
Yale (EA)
Cornell
NYU
Columbia
Stats
Major: psychology/ neuroscience
Ranked #1 in class from a good school
GPA: 3.97 UW, 4.45 W
SAT: 2300
PSAT: 233
SAT subject: 800 Chem, 800 Math 2
AP’s: 14
EC’s
Treasurer for one
Secretary for 2 others
Outreach officer for 2 different volunteer club
Editor for science journal
300+ hours volunteering (tutoring, raising money)
Regional awards in science competition
Doing research in a government facility
Completed a summer immersion course in medicine and engineering one at local university
I’m thinking of adding 1-2 more school (safety or match) in/near a big city, mid-large student size, liberal/open, money doesn’t matter. Any ideas?
I’d say most if not all of those schools are within reach. Yale and Columbia are tricky, but it’s basically a crapshoot for most people. You’re in good shape for the rest of them, though.
For your 1-2 others, I have to go with Yeshiva and Lehigh. Yeshiva is in NYC and has a good psychology/neuroscience program as well as a good medical school if thats the track you’re looking into (I’m assuming you’re Jewish because of Brandeis, if not then maybe not Yeshiva).
Lehigh has a really good sciences program undergrad, and good opportunities for graduate programs. They also have a lot of major flexibility, so if you change your mind on your major, I think it’s one piece of paperwork away from being done.
Drop BU and Brandeis (unless you have a particular reason for wanting to be in Boston). There is absolutely no reason to attend BU over any of the UCs… BU Is huge, spread-out with no real campus core, super expensive, and stingy with financial aid.
If you want to be in Boston, consider Harvard and Tufts… a low match/safety in Boston would be Northeastern.
What about Johns Hopkins? Emory? Carnegie Mellon?
Excellent low match would be U Rochester and Case Western.
@codemachine Brandeis is not a Jewish school and only 50% of the student body is Jewish. That’s kind of an odd comment to make.
I agree with the suggestions of Northeastern, Rochester and Case as low matches. I think it would be good to have one real safety on the list. In your other post it says you’re instate for the UCs, so maybe UCSC? I don’t think there’s any reason to add more super elite, low acceptance rate schools to your current list, unless you find another one that seems really special to you. You have enough of them already.
I always suggest applying to one or two safety schools that have non-binding EA so you know you are in by December. Consider Fordham (Lincoln Center campus is more “liberal”) and Tulane.
@codemachine keyword: nonsectarian. They do not have a religious affiliation. Just because it was Jewish community-sponsored when founded does not make it a Jewish school. By that logic, almost every university in this country would have to be considered a Christian school.
Add USC- U of Southern Calif. As a NMSF you have a good chance of acceptance AND of winning a NMF 1/2 tuition scholarship IF you apply before Dec ![ their deadline for scholarship consideration] AND you express REAL interest in going to USC. I strongly suggest you visit and interview while there.
It has all the features you asked for.
“I’m thinking of adding 1-2 more school (safety or match) in/near a big city, mid-large student size, liberal/open,”
I always wanted my kids to apply to U. Hawaii so I could visit them there
I’d consider looking for colleges with substantial undergraduate research - my niece went to U. Richmond and was involved with cognitive neuroscience/psychology research for all four years there, and ended up following her adviser to go on to grad school at a large state university.
I would say your only weak spot is ECs, as no sports or other physical activities are mentioned. If you do volunteer for something “grassroots”/“manual labor” related, it would help IMHO.
I’m also cautious about “editing a science journal” - either that is an outstanding accomplishment at your age or you are inflating a school newsletter. A journal is generally peer-reviewed by PhD scientists. I would say be careful to have your application reviewed for inaccuracies (I’m not accusing you of anything, I teach college and I hear and see things which are inaccurate and they do affect our undergrad and grad acceptances, stats or not).
@harvardandberkeley Was planning to apply to BU’s 7 year program and thus have it on my list. @rhandco I do have experience volunteering for the club that I’m an officer in that has all types of service hours such as serving food, community cleanup, installing memorials around town but is that considered manual labor and how would i write that for my app?
I’m really thinking of safety schools to add but my parents are kinda crazy to the point where even the safety has to be some kind of elite school or else i’ll just go to community college because “you’ve been a disgrace either way”
Did it ever occur to your parents that you being happy and healthy is more important than getting an Ivy or top elite degree? I have a friend who had to drop out of Princeton due to a nervous breakdown, and was never the same. He got a perfect SAT score though…
My son was able to include a small amount of detail for each activity, but he also included aspects of his volunteer and EC work that showed how he “wasn’t just a brainiac with no life”. About insight into how families work and compromises. If the name of the organization is known, that helps (like Habitat for Humanity).
I would also say that if your role within an organization changed substantially, you can list it twice if the hours are there. My son did several music activities, but had one leadership role that was substantial, so that was listed separately as were the performing groups (those that went into the community to perform).
Wow, some nice BU dissing over here! LOL. Speaking as someone who actually attended there and loved it–if you like a big school with lots of opportunities, it’s great, and if you’re an urban dweller the “no campus” thing is NBD. It’s a large school that doesn’t feel large, anyway, because each college has it’s own community/sub-life. It’s expensive and stingy with financial aid… for some. I went on a full tuition scholarship soooo shrugs ANYWAY, the 7 year program is great, and generally BU has a very strong science program/opportunities. I’d consider it a definite match school for you. (I’m happy to answer any questions you have–obviously I’m a fan of BU!)
Agree that Northeastern would also be a good match/safety-ish for you, as well. Are you a CA resident? Just wondering b/c that will have an impact on your chances for the UCs. If your parents won’t be monitoring all your apps and you really need some safeties, I would suggest rounding out your UCs w/ a fourth choice, maybe one of the less selective ones. You can apply to up to four anyway–it’s all one app/cost.
