LACs for my stats?

tk21769
Wed, 02 Sep 2009 07:13:55 +0000

I know I wouldn’t be able to stand a conservative environment. I probably don’t like the big-city environment, but then again, I loved Berkeley and LA, so I’m not really sure. I love the athletics and outdoors, …




From that perspective, a reasonable set of apps might include something like:

Reach Schools/u
Dartmouth (small rural town)
Middlebury / Bowdoin (small rural town, pick 1)

Wesleyan (small city)

Match Schools/u
Macalester / Reed (urban/suburban, pick 1 if you decide you like this setting)
Colorado College (small city with nearby wilderness – apply EA and you should get a decision by late December)
Bates / Whitman (outdoorsy / small town, pick 1 if you decide you like this setting)

Berkeley (urban)

Safety
[one other California school as admissions/financial safety if Colorado College does not accept you early (unlikely) or give enough merit aid to make the balance affordable]


In the fall take at least one trip to visit a mix of urban//rural, preppy/crunchy etc. Buy the Collegiate Choice Walking Tours videos for the others (if you cannot arrange a trip to western/mid-western match schools, which I recommend you try to do to contrast with New England.) Adjust application choices after visits & research. Then in April visit any final choices you have not already seen.


This is an example of a realistic, focused strategy that gives you a lot of geographic & other variety without applying to (or visiting) an unmanageable number of schools. 6 or 7 applications, maybe only 1 big trip.

Remember, there is no law saying you must attend the most selective school that admits you. These are all good schools; you have at least a shot at all of them.