Help me round out/balance my list? (Class of '16)

College Search & Lists
1

Hi, I’m Peyton. I’ve posted a few times on here, but now I’m really finding this site to be a useful resource, as I am a rising senior and I’m about to start applying to colleges and such. I’ve made a list of everywhere that I think I’d like to apply, and I’d appreciate any feedback on my list.

Harvard
Brown
Northwestern
Duke
Columbia
Vanderbilt
UNC
Georgetown
Northeastern
U of Missouri (in-state)

The only ones that I will not have visited by the time application cycle starts are Northwestern (although I have seen the law school), UNC, and Duke. I have been on or near the campuses of UNC and Duke, but not enough and it was too long ago to really count.

I have consistently gotten As with a few A-s throughout high school, so with the way my school calculates it I have a 4.0 GPA. I have a 35 composite on the ACT, and I should get subject test scores back on Thursday. However, this semester I will likely finish with two Bs. I’m in the IB program, and I participate in lots of extracurriculars, including nationally qualifying academic team, varsity golf captain, student council, foreign exchange club, and a host of other boring and stereotypical activities. I also hold a 20-25 hr/wk job during the school year that goes to 35 hr/wk during the summer. Other than that, not much interesting. I’m a white girl, with a weird financial situation so I have no idea on aid. I’m thinking a decent amount, but probably not full anywhere. I might be able to get full tuition at Mizzou.

I absolutely love the Northeast, and the eastern seaboard in general. The weather, atmosphere, and especially the cities. Any suggestions that you think I should include? I’d like to study political science/international affairs, so New York and DC would be especially great cities, but otherwise all of those schools have great programs (Mizzou eh). I’d eventually like to go to law school.

I am also beginning to have my doubts though, about the “top” schools. I think I might rather go to a “less” (only by a marginal amount, I know) academically challenging school like Northeastern and be in the top 10% rather than go somewhere where I will constantly be fighting to be in the top 50%. But opinions?

Also, my grades dropped this semester. Mostly due to some mental issues I was battling, but were never diagnosed, I just dealt with it. I also started my job, which affected my grades until I worked out how to balance it. I’m thinking I may wait on applying EA anywhere until I send in my (hopefully better) first semester senior year grades.

Any advice is greatly appreciated!

2

Given the concerns you raise (unease / trepidation with going into a hyper-competitive environment), I think that you need to toss out the list you posted and pretty much start over. While you have the qualifications to credibly apply to almost any school in the country, the goal is to find a school that is best for YOU, not the most prestigious school you can get into.

Just from your post, my recommendation would be to switch your focus to LACs, and look at the Tier 1/Tier 2 schools in the Northeast. I think you might find the environment at some of those schools much more to your liking, and if you do well there, you are certainly going to be a strong candidate for Law School when the time comes.

Lastly, I think you really need to nail down what your own financial situation is (how much aid you are really going to need) and then find schools that are going to be affordable to you. Law School can be crushingly expensive, you don’t UG to leave you already mired in debt.

Usual disclaimers apply,

  • Nick
3

Have you talked to your parents about cost constraints?

Have you run the net price calculators on the schools in your list?

4

You list is way too reach-heavy IMO. Schools like Harvard, Brown, etc. down to and including Georgetown (UNC takes very few out of state students) are very competitive and would be pretty much reaches for anyone. Some ideas of schools you can add might be: Boston College, Brandeis Tufts, Villanova, GW

5

Thanks all for the comments.

I do realize that my list is really heavy on reaches. I’m looking for suggestions to round it out, and I will definitely look at all of your suggestions. George Washington is in DC, yes?

@NickFlynn Which LACs are closer to cities and more in the upper tier academically? I’m really not well versed in that area at all.

I suppose I’m wrong in saying that I’m not looking for somewhere very competitive. I tend to want to settle, and I am dealing with some issues right now, but I do think that somewhere where I am going to have to compete may actually be better.

@ucbalumnus - Yes, and no. My financial situation is a bit of a mess. At most of the schools on the list, I meet sort of the second tier (not no cost, but usually full tuition) of cutoffs. There are a few things that could complicate that, so I am planning to meet with a college counselor type person in order to figure those out over the summer. Either way, I will be able to fully fund undergrad at almost anywhere, save for those top schools and their crazy tuition. However, I’m working on it so that I will be able to save (or hide under my mattress) some of that money for law school, because as you said, it is really expensive.

6

The LACs that I think of quickly in/near cities would be Swarthmore, Haverford and if you are female Barnard and Bryn Mawr but I’m sure there are others. You may want to focus on schools which you would get merit aid. If you want a northeast city you might consider Fordham.

7

@happy1 Thanks for the suggestions! I am not really all that interested in women’s colleges, but I will definitely check out the others that you listed.

8

I’d add American, Temple, Pitt, GWU, and BU to the list.

9

For other selective options- Tufts, WashU; for less selective schools GW is a great recommendation, perhaps even Emory or Clemson?

10

Temple may give you a full scholarship. Its in Philly.