Colleges That Interest Me But I Only Want to Apply to 8

College Search & Lists
1

<p>Hello CCers,</p>

<p>I’m a HS sophomore and I am interested in many colleges and universities. I am asking for some guidance as in terms of which ones to eliminate based on my situation. This is my current information and what I plan to do if I stay at my current high school.</p>

<p>State of Residence: NC
Race: Black
Gender: Male
Current GPA: 4.0 UW, 4.5 W
Rank: 1 of 120
Planned Honors: 20
Planned APs: 2-4
Prospective Majors: Pharmacy, Chemistry, Biochemistry
Prospective Minors: Business Administration, Education, Spanish </p>

<p>EC’s and Community Service: Marching Band, PTSA, Student Gov’t, HOSA, Part-time job, Church Mime Ministry, Church Usher Ministry, 2 Hours @ Durham Rescue Mission, 3 Hours @ NC Food Bank, 2 Hours @ Read Seed, 2 years of church outreach ministry at local nursing home, 60 Hours English and Algebra 1-2 tutor</p>

<p>Awards, Leadership, and Recognitions: Highest Course Averages in 1st semester classes, Freshman Class President, Sophomore Class President, Homeroom Representative, School 1st Place Science Fair Winner-Chemistry, Countywide 1st Place Science Fair Winner-Chemistry, Participant in Regional 3a NC Science Fair, Youngest HOSA President in School’s History, Freshman Ambassador, New Student/Freshman Transition Leader, Principal’s List (All A’s), Who’s Who in Leadership and Service, Quiz Bowl Captain (2nd Place Schoolwide), Honorable Mention for Most Dedicated in Band, Honorable Mention for Newcomer of the Year in Band, National Society of High School Scholars, Recreational Baseball, UNC Pharmacy Leadership Excellence and Development Participant</p>

<p>List of Colleges:
UNC-Chapel Hill
Duke
NC State
Wake Forest
Emory
Washington University in St. Louis
Campbell
Davidson
Elon
Wingate
University of VA
William & Mary
Virginia Commonwealth University
Drexel</p>

<p>Thanks for reading all this :)</p>

2

<p>It is too early to narrow down your list or to finalize a major. </p>

<p>It is NOT too early to start some testing or review costs.</p>

<p>I urge you to take the October PSATs. It will give you a baseline. If you score high then it will give you incentive to study and do well 11th grade PSAT for National Merit. Some schools have very generous merit scholarships for National Merit. For instance, Alabama currently offers a free ride (tuition, room & board) to National Merit winners.</p>

<p>Have your family run the college board financial aid calculators to get an idea of your EFC. Please realize only a handful of schools will offer enough financial aid to bridge the difference between family EFC and the cost of attendance. This meant William & Mary was eliminated for my son because as out of state residents we can not afford it.</p>

<p>If you have high SAT scores (which taking the PSAT will give you an idea of this year) then Drexel would be a good choice because they offer merit money.</p>

<p>You may want to research more LACs. Less males apply to LACs which gives a slight edge to you; even fewer black males apply. </p>

<p>Allow you list to be fluid. Stay open to different regions of the country. Consider the importance to you to get involved in research, class size and living arrangements. Some schools will guarantee 4 year housing; others only housing for the first year.</p>

<p>Look at the testing requirements. If a school requires SAT II test then coordinate taking the subject test as you are finishing the class in school. Example - The Math II does not test higher than Pre-Calc. If you are taking Pre-Calc in 10th grade then consider taking the May or June SAT II, Math II test.</p>

3

<p>I should add – Take the PSAT without studying. 10th grade scores are not reported anywhere and have no effect, so studying shouldn’t be an issue. 11th grade scores are used for National Merit. If 10th grade scores show with a little work that you could be National Merit then use the summer to study for it.</p>

4

<p>You are on the right track, but you are only a sophomore. Keep up the good work before coming back to this stuff.</p>

5

<p>It’s way too early to try to narrow in on 8 specific schools.
If anything, you should be thinking about your criteria for choosing schools.
It looks like a Southern location already is important to you.
Is this a good basis for building a list? It may be, but one drawback is that is eliminates many selective “reach” schools with the best need-based financial aid (like the Ivy League colleges). It also eliminates some potential “match” schools with good merit aid. If money isn’t an issue at all, fine. Focus on Southern schools but then think about whether you prefer small colleges (like Davidson), a larger research university (like UVa), urban or rural, etc.</p>

<p>A good way to sort through these issues is to start visiting a variety of colleges on weekends and minor school holidays, just to get a feel for what kind of campus appeals to you. Visits can help you stay motivated, too.</p>

6

<p>Here’s my standardized testing info:</p>

<p>8th Grade PSAT: 143 (no studying)
9th Grade PSAT: 160 (no studying)
June 2011 SAT: 1810 (studied a little bit)</p>