tk21769, what do you mean by “You run a risk in using less selective but expensive private schools (like Lake Forest) as safeties?”
^ I mean that you run a risk of not being able to afford the only school that accepts you.
A true safety should be a school that is sure to admit you, that you’d be happy to attend … and that you definitely can afford. Apparently you can afford $25K-$30K. Lake Forest’s full-sticker cost of attendance is much higher (over $50K.) It meets the full demonstrated need of less than 30% of its students. If the online net price calculator gives an estimate you can afford, that is a good sign. However, I’d be reluctant to rely on that for a school that is supposed to be a safety. A more reliable safety might be an in-state public school like UI-Chicago, which charges approximately your $25K target price even without aid.
I know it’s late but here ya go.
Many of you matches look like reaches to me.
Some safeties:
Clark–great aid
Hobart and William Smith–great aid, good poly sci
Drew–she’ll probably get a nice merit award
Goucher
Matches:
Mount Holyoke–more match than safety, but Great aid.
Smith–more match than safety
The women’s colleges are a bit easier to get into than co-ed colleges of the same caliber. Just because fewer qualified applicants apply. (men and women wanting co-ed) However they offer a superior education, escpically womens college in a consortium.
College of Wooster? Washington College? Willamette University?