conundrum!

Applying to College
#1

<p>For the past year I’ve been looking primarily at liberal arts colleges – my first choice was Carleton College. I planned to apply early decision to Carleton, and I visited it and liked it and all. However, I have been banned from applying early by my mother. So here is my college list right now:</p>

<p>Top Three: Carleton, Rice, North Carolina
The others: Northwestern, Trinity University, Michigan, Kansas (safety) and… that’s it.</p>

<p>As I said, I used to really like liberal arts colleges. But a few things have made me reconsider lately – (a) I really like a sports atmosphere, where the football games are huge, etc., and everyone has LOTS of school spirit, and (b) I don’t think I could handle such a small school.</p>

<p>I have two questions, essentially:</p>

<li><p>I sent in a Part I to Carleton back when my mom and dad were both pro-early decision saying I was applying early. Now (awkward) I can’t. I haven’t sent in the signed form or anything, just the Part I. Is it a huge deal to change it to Regular Decision? Will they hate me forever, ha ha?</p></li>
<li><p>Any suggestions you guys have of schools that fit the the following criteria:</p></li>
</ol>

<pre><code>* Lots of school spirit

  • Decently hard to get into (stats below)
  • Medium to big sized
  • Preferably midwest, but anywere really EXCEPT northeast
  • Not a HUGE party school, but not boring either
  • Good college town
    </code></pre>

<p>My stats are:</p>

<pre><code>* International Baccalaureate Diploma Candidate

  • GPA: 3.78/4.0
  • Class Ranking: 35/483
  • Advanced Placement United States History (10th)
    o AP U.S. History: 3
  • IB Biology SL (11th)
    o IB Biology SL: 6
  • IB Math Studies SL (11th)
    o IB Math Studies SL: 6
  • IB Spanish HL (11th-12th)
  • IB Theatre Arts HL (11th-12th)
  • IB World Literature HL (11th-12th)
  • IB European History SL (12th)
  • Executive Internship – Wichita Eagle (12th)
  • PSAT: 211 (10/05)
    o Critical Reading 75; Math 63; Writing Skills 73
  • SAT I: 2180 (06/06)
    o Critical Reading 740; Math 700; Writing 740; Multiple Choice: 74; Essay 10
    o Retaking 10/06
  • ACT: 31 (06/06)
    o English 35; Mathematics 29; Reading 31; Science 30
    o Retaking 10/06
  • Taking SAT II 11/06 (Literature, Spanish)
    </code></pre>

<p>I’m also editor of the school paper and do a lot with drama, etc.</p>

<p>Thanks</p>

#2

<p>Michigan, michigan, michigan. Go with Michigan.</p>

<p>Sorry. I'm a little too obsessed with UMich. But it's totally awesome.</p>

#3

<p>I'm not very good at predicting admission based on stats, but you should check out University of Texas. That school probably has one of the most spirited student bodies of any university and obviously football is a huge deal...national champs last year. UT-Austin isn't as tough to get into as say UVA or UNC but it is still respected as a good school. And as for the college town? Austin couldn't be a better place to live. A lot of people are turned off by the fact that it's in Texas (which allegedly screams a bunch of hick-Republicans) but Austin is like it's own little oasis in the middle of Texas. There are some country type people but the city is split pretty evenly between liberal and conservative lines if that's an issue for you. Austin's the Live Music Capital of the World and has so much to do. I would definitely check out UT if you haven't researched it a little already.</p>

#4

<p>Try AMherst and Williams colleges</p>

#5

<p>the OP said (s)he wanted anywhere except the northeast--both of those are northeastern schools</p>

#6

<p>UNC-Chapel Hill, UWashington-Seattle, UWisconsin-Madison, UVirginia, UIllinois-UC, USouthern California, UNotre Dame, Northwestern, Duke, Georgetown, Rice, URochester, Vandy, and Emory are good places to start.</p>

#7