Forget US News?

College Search & Lists
1

<p>I’m a rising senior who is interested in a degree in math, and I want to get CC’s reaction to something. [I’ve changed a few details of the following discussion, just for grins.]</p>

<p>In my college search, I’ve largely tossed out what many people would consider natural places to apply with my interests. I’m not afraid of not getting in, but simply have zero interest in these places. The following is my college list, in roughly descending order of interest:</p>

<li> Cornell</li>
<li> HMC</li>
<li> CMU (double Math/CS)</li>
<li> Chicago</li>
<li> Reed</li>
<li> CalTech</li>
<li> MIT</li>
<li> UMich and my state school (different)</li>
</ol>

<p>That was in DESCENDING order of interest. CalTech and MIT were near the bottom, and HYPS weren’t even ON the list. I constructed the list based on the advice of a lot of friends, from each of these schools and a couple of others. I know exactly what I’m doing, and I feel completely content with this list–I feel an odd sense that this is EXACTLY the right list. [That is, the list that I haven’t edited for public consumption is EXACTLY the right list.]</p>

<p>I’ll mention that my parents have given me completely free rein in where I’m looking at, and are extremely supportive.</p>

<p>Numbers and such:
SAT: High 2300s.
GPA: High enough for me, and a very high weighted.
SAT II’s: 800 Math IIc, high 700’s World.
APs: Fives across the board. (Calc BC, World, US Gov, World, Eng Lang, CS AB, Stat)
HS: Extremely competitive public.
Course rigor: Many post-AP classes, at a level to impress university professors.
Extracurriculars: I was in the finals (that is, I got invited to come somewhere, meaning in the top 20 or above nationally) in one of the national USA_O’s. You don’t get to hear which one. Club sport. Newspaper, math and computer team, including leadership positions. Teaching and mentoring are my two favorite things to do. Working on summer research project.
Essays: Extremely good.
Recs: I have about six people who would give me stellar recs, each with their own unique qualifications that would make them extremely useful to admissions officers. Two are university profs.</p>

<p>Opinions? Thoughts? Even chances? I’ve been sufficiently uber-vague that I don’t really expect chances. All I’m looking for, really, is opinions on the question, “Is it a perfectly valid and sane decision to decide, screw US News and the rest of the world in where they think is the best place for me?”</p>

2

<p>Everything looks good - you’ll get in somewhere on that list above number 8. </p>

<p>Make sure to have some outside people (people who don’t know you well) read your essays: you’re a confident person (this is good), but make sure that you don’t come off as arrogant to admissions officers.</p>

<p>

Don’t forget that some schools (at least Caltech…) require a science SAT II.</p>

<p>Good luck to you.</p>

3

<p>“Is it a perfectly valid and sane decision to decide, screw US News and the rest of the world in where they think is the best place for me?”
yes it is perfectly valid!! You can get an excellent education at all of the schools you listed, what’s most important is fit for you. Do your research, see where you’ll be most comfortable. </p>

<p>I’d say you have a great shot at all of the schools. Pick your favorite and apply ED if you’d like. </p>

<p>“I know exactly what I’m doing, and I feel completely content with this list–I feel an odd sense that this is EXACTLY the right list.”
This is most important. Stick to your gut! Good luck.</p>

4

<p>cghen, I’m getting that covered this fall. Don’t worry, I’ve checked all these things =)</p>

5

<p>Your resume looks quite impressive, but what exactly you mean with that:

Would you mind listing a few of the classes you took? I am just curious what it takes to impress a university prof.</p>

6

<p>Yes, I would mind, however, I will clarify: I mean that beyond just the names of the classes I took, their level of depth and detail impressed university professors I spoke to. In many cases, the names of courses aren’t at all accurate representations of what is taught, certainly not by the standards of a couple of years ago–this is not the case here.</p>

7

<p>I hate double-posting, but I’m going to do it anyhow.</p>

<p>A lot of people I know who’ve made college decisions rather opposed to US News rankings, and the general population, have gotten “funny looks” when they tell people where they’re going. Like people expect them to go somewhere with a bigger name than where they decided on. What’s your experience been with that, and how have you (or your friend) gone about dealing with it? It’s manageable, I think, but I’d just like opinions.</p>

8

<p>on CC you’re not likely to get that same attitude because the schools you’ve listed carry similar esteem as the “top schools” as determined by USNWR</p>

<p>Really, it depends on where you’re living. If you are expecting to go to grad school, then obviously you won’t have to worry about perplexed reactions. This clearly also would go for anyone who plans on staying in CA after attending HMC or Caltech.</p>

<p>But Reed you have to explain to people. So have fun with that, even though it is really a dream school.</p>

9

<p>Though it’s a nice list, it seems somewhat lopsided. Quite a few reaches, don’t you think?</p>

10

<p>Don’t know why people would give you funny looks about Cornell. If they do, all you need to say is that Cornell offered the right combination of things you were looking for in a school. You will look a lot more thoughtful and intelligent than those who just go to a school based on some ranking.</p>

11

<p>I would agree that the list looks a little too top heavy. Would you be happy at Mich or your state school? You may want to add another “match” to the list, just in case. Other wise it looks very focused.[ is HMC Harvey Mudd?] if not, that was one I would consider adding.</p>

12

<p>Chicago’s nerdy, alright, but not necessarily nerdy in the specific way that the other schools you listed are nerdy. The math major here is terrific, though, if that’s what you’re going for.</p>

13

<p>Hello all,</p>

<p>ricegal, Cornell wasn’t among the schools I meant. ;)</p>

<p>hollyert, I’m not sure entirely what you mean–I know I want to go to grad school, but not everybody else looks for what undergrads you’d want before grad school.</p>

<p>menlopark, yes, I WOULD be VERY happy at my state school. I know people who take state schools over MIT, and not because of money or social issues! Also, yes, HMC is Harvey Mudd. </p>

<p>However, I will reiterate: “I was in the finals (that is, I got invited to come somewhere, meaning in the top 20 or above nationally) in one of the national USA_O’s.” I know that admissions is completely a roll of the dice at some of these schools, but I’m pretty confident of getting into a few of them.</p>

14

<p>national USA_O’s- like…figure skating? Is this national U.S. Olympic competitions? Only reason I said figure skating was because I just recently went to see “champions” - it was cool.</p>

<p>Hmm. Olympic levels…and your uber-qualifications…and your very focused attitude…and…and…what do you want to become a graduate degree holder of? Math?- I reccomend…and this is just my take on your stats…that you write an original equation if you have the time. Make your mark. You have the brain capacity for it (from what I see so far)- and nothing is holding you back- only yourself. I feel confident you can make it into the schools you have chosen. Your scores are above all their 25-75th percentiles. Your extra-currics place you as a VERY hard-working, focused person. What ELSE could a school want? As long as you haven’t </p>

<p>1) committed a crime (depends on the crime of course)
2) cheated on every exam you’ve ever taken
3) Sound like an arrogant a** and make all admissions counselors think their school is a safety…</p>

<p>Then you have a great opportunity in life. Enjoy your good genetics and interesting support network :-P. </p>

<p>And screwing USNWR is a GREAT idea. I messed up in my process by religiously following it- it is nice you have parents who don’t control your life. (My life has been a rather droll (waggish) existence- so don’t fret about your stellar shining)- go somewhere that fits YOU. Don’t let ANYONE control your life. Good luck- and from your writing skills in posting…I think you’ll do fine :-D</p>

<p>Careful about spelling errors.</p>

15

<p><a href=“http://olympiads.win.tue.nl/[/url]”>http://olympiads.win.tue.nl/&lt;/a&gt; are the international versions; the USA<em>O’s are the US selection olympiads. The top 4-5 placers in each of the USA</em>O’s (who are selected at the invitational things for the top n<=20, where I got to) become the US team at the internationals.</p>

<p>Specifically, the USA<em>O’s are the USAMO (math), USAPhO (physics), USAChO (chemistry), USABO (biology), and the USACO (computing); I don’t know if the other international competitions have USA</em>O’s.</p>

16

<p>OK, so you list looks great. Good luck and let us know what happens in April. [Are you applying EA to Chicago? you should!]</p>

17

<p>Out of curiosity, menloparkmom, what makes you say that? (I agree, but I’d like your explanation anyhow.)</p>

18

<p>Because you have nothing to lose by doing so, and if you do get in you will find that is is a big relief in Dec. to have 1 college “in the bag”.</p>

19

<p>Plus EA accepted Freshman get first “dibs” on housing.</p>

20

<p>Caltech and MIT are iffy but you have good chances at the rest.</p>

<p>“Is it a perfectly valid and sane decision to decide, screw US News and the rest of the world in where they think is the best place for me?”</p>

<p>Of course. Congratulations on your choices.</p>