Hi everyone! I’m a junior, and looking towards the upcoming application season I’ve realized that I don’t have a clear college list, which makes me feel a little stressed and vaguely lost. I haven’t really found a “dream school” like my friends seem to have. I have a very specific, kind of abstract idea of what I do want: a liberal arts-type school that provides a well rounded education but strong in STEM (esp physics) and research. Not a huge proponent of Greek life or a party scene- I do enjoy socializing, but I’m also more of an introvert than a partier. I would like to stay on the northeast- around a 2-7 hr car ride from where I live (upstate west new york). A cool library is would also be a plus but not a priority
Here is a brief overview of my stats, since I understand you might need some context for recommendations:
- GPA UW: 3.8/4.0
(Our school doesnt use weighted- so idk. For more detail, my B+'s were in freshmen spanish, health, and calc bc) - SAT: 1580 (single sitting)
- Subject tests: I will be taking in August
- AP scores: World history (3- oof. I have no excuses), U.S. history (4), Biology (4), Chemistry (5), Language (5), Calc BC (5), Physics 1 (5)
- Senior year APs: Literature, Psychology, Physics C, Computer Science, Multivariable Calc (this is not AP but dual enrollment so still a college class kind of)
Awards: nothing major. Some merit scholarships for lessons at Eastman music school for Piano, 2nd place at NY state competition for a science olympiad event, some other regional level placings for science olympiad, 1st place for regional Envirothon competition,
Extracurriculars:
- Piano (~11 years, but nothing much to show for it except those scholarships)
- Violin (~10 years, school chamber and pit for musicals, local youth symphonies, virtuosi scholarship chamber, all-state orchestra (+ solo fest) etc. all the regular violin stuff)
-Science Olympiad (won some stuff, since sophomore year)
-Envirothon (just this year, won regionals, went to states) - Cross Country (3 yrs)
- Nordic Ski (did this for one year for fun :))
Volunteering: counselor at a science camp (~130 hours), tutoring at inner city school (~30 hrs)
Summer Activities: volunteering, did a free science camp at a local university. This summer I’m doing a paid internship in research (40 hrs a week, 8 weeks) and will hopefully also work during the school year.
Demographic: Asian American female, dual citizenship. Income range slightly above 150000.
Right now I have 2 schools that I am applying to for sure that are both reaches: the University of Chicago and Cornell. I’ve been considering engineering (yes, I’m aware Uchicago does not have engineering) but I truly love physics. But physics doesn’t have that great of job prospects, and (this sounds dumb and cheesy) I feel like I want to do something MORE to somehow contribute to something good- I would love contribute to some sort of climate change awareness campaign or clean energy research. I would also like to do something that inspires girls to pursue STEM- in tutoring or teaching or idk. I’m not really sure. I know this is all very vague. But hopefully I can accomplish this with physics- I could teach or do research with intertial confinement fusion, etc.
I like Cornell because when I visited, it felt egalitarian and academic. I like the project teams, the engineering physics major, the wide range of course opportunities. I love snow. I do not love the campus.
I haven’t been able to visit UChicago, but from the my slightly obsessive, copious research, I like uchicago because of their environment- it seems academically focused but fun and chill, kind of dorky. I love how the campus feels historically inspirational to me , with all the amazing genius physics research that happened there. I love the campus, love the library. Love the liberal arts core. I do not love their quarter based system.
I guess I’m essentially struggling over whether to do Cornell ED or Uchicago EA. On one hand, I know I have a greater chance at Cornell ED and the idea of having a definite plan mid- December appeals to me. I would be very grateful to go to Cornell- it’s an amazing school. But ultimately I like uchicago more (I think?). But I haven’t visited, and I don’t think I will be able to before the ED deadline- my parents are in research and academia and don’t have time to travel with me- so I will have to apply EA. And I know I don’t have much of a chance EA. What would you suggest? I am worried if I do get in ED Cornell I will always have that what if- but on the other hand, if I do Uchicago ea I realistically have a good chance of not getting onto both.
I need some target schools, but I haven’t been able to find any that clicked- University of Rochester I like, but it’s too close to home and that is a huge con. I don’t like Carnegie Mellon’s focus on computer science, and UMichigan’s size. But maybe I’m being too picky. Any suggestions would be appreciated.
*looking back over this post, it’s very long. Sorry, it’s a stressed 12:20 am disorganized ramble. Thank you for taking the time to read it. This is my first post on college confidential- if I am not following the right format for these types of questions or posting in the wrong place, please let me know