Match schools w/friendly people, in an urban area?

College Search & Lists
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<p>I’m looking for a match school on the east coast that has these characteristics:
-VERY intellectual atmosphere
-friendly students
-work hard/play hard, with more emphasis on the work part
-not too small, and preferably in a city</p>

<p>I want to study neuroscience, and maybe minor in Chinese, Classics, or Religious Studies.</p>

<p>My stats:
-Race: White
-Gender: Female
-High School-Public (very affluent, but barely sends any kids to Ivies)</p>

<p>Academic:
-SAT: 2030 (first time taking with little studying, hoping for a 2150+ with hardcore studying)
-SATII-Haven’t taken. Will take Math I (but will get a bad score) and US History
-GPA-94.5 UW/99 W
-Rank-1st Decile</p>

<p>Extracurriculars:</p>

<p>Athletic:
-Track&Field(Pole Vaulting, on track to get scholarship, got injured)-9,10
-Tennis-JV 9,10/V 11,12 (Captain)
-Black Belt Tae Kwon Do-8,9,10,11,12
Academic:
-Debate Team-JV 9/V-10,11,12 (Captain)
-Chinese Club(Treasurer)-11, 12
-School Lit Mag-published 9,10,11-magazine won award 9th
-Barnard Pre-College Program-10,11
Volunteer
-Assistent teacher Hebrew-2 years/2 hrs/wk
-Hebrew Tutor-for children with special needs-4 years 3 hrs/wk
-Volunteer trip-worked in New Orleans Head Start/Rebuilt house in 9th Ward
Work:
-Counselor-10,11,12-counselor for children with behavioral/emotional problems.
-Instructor-Tae Kwon Do-10,11,12
Research:
-Internship with prominent psychologist on attachment theory -Published paper in medical journal on a systematic review of sleep/growth
Courses:
Hardest Courseload available:
-4 AP’s by senior year(most that can be taken)
-6 years of foreign language (Chinese+Spanish)</p>

<p>Any suggestions of schools that match the criteria?</p>

<p>My top choices are Barnard(ED), Cornell College Human Ecology, and Carnegie Mellon Humanities&Social Sciences, but I have no idea if they are high reaches, or matches, or where I stand!</p>

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<p>bump 10 char</p>

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<p>The only thing I can think of to say is that you should look into the SATIIs that Cornell College of Human Ecology requires because I feel like I remember it saying a math and science (quite possibly wrong) and it definately requires them (so hopefully you would score well!). Your SAT and other academics are good and I believe would be competitive at all of your choices. However, (you already know this I’m sure) there are a lot of competitive and similar students applying to schools like theses so it really will just come down to each specific admission officer’s decision. Not sure if that was any help…quite general advice :/</p>

4

<p>Thanks-I think HumEc only requires a math, so I’ll probably just take Math I and hope for a not-abominable score. </p>

<p>Any other ideas of colleges that are matches?</p>

5

<p>Look at Boston College, Tufts, Mt. Holyoke, U of Pittsburgh, Boston U, and Bucknell (though not in a city).</p>

6

<p>Take a look at JHU. CMU is a low-reach/match and a good choice.</p>

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<p>Holy Cross has a great Classics department and a nice campus. Good academics with school spirit. HC is also need blind for admissions.</p>

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<p>Hopkins is a good idea. It is very strong, of course, in neuroscience but also has lots of international affairs majors and a good chinese department. If Barnard interests you maybe you should look at Wellesley which also has an excellent east asia department (but you’d have to check on neuroscience). Look at Swarthmore for a VERY intellectual atmosphere (but small). Applying to an early action school is a great thing, so maybe check out Chicago.</p>

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<p>Thanks for the suggestions. The only problems are a) I’m Jewish, so the Catholic schools are out for me and b) Barnard is the only womens college I would consider. </p>

<p>I thought JHU and Tufts were more reaches for me? Also, Bucknell is already on my list as a match/safety-family has connections to the admin and I’ve already gotten a few calls from them asking me to apply. I just don’t know if the students are my type.</p>

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<p>Bucknell is not in an urban area at all. Holy Cross is 1 mile from Worcester and 40 miles from Boston. Very supportive student community.</p>

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<p>^^ Yes, for your scores, JHU and Tufts would be reaches.</p>

<p>Especially if the Catholic affiliation is a sticking point with Holy Cross, Brandeis may be a good alternative. It is closer to Boston. It offers neuroscience programs through the PhD level (including an undergraduate major).</p>

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<p>Sarah Lawrence College (NY)</p>

<p>Not in an urban area, students take train into NYC. Best of luck!</p>

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<p>University of Pittsburgh meets your requirements as someone above mentioned. Pittsburgh has a strong Jewish community–whether you are at CMU or Pitt. Pitt also offers some nice merit scholarships to top students and Pitt students can take classes at the other Pittsburgh Universities, including CMU. </p>

<p>**Shameless Pitt promoter.</p>

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<p>Thanks guys! </p>

<p>@MDMom-The proximity to Pitt is one of the reasons I love CMU!</p>

<p>A relative is going to University of Rochester, what is its reputation?</p>

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<p>UR, very good reputation!</p>

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<p>Is it a reach/match/or safety? I heard it was good in the sciences?</p>

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<p>Rochester would be a match school for you (and with slightly higher scores, you would probably get some some merit money). I actually think it fits your criteria perfectly. It’s in a decent city, has excellent science programs, offers a neuroscience concentration, has a very open flexible curriculum allowing you to focus on whatever subjects interest you and the student body is generally extremely nice. And, if you’re interested, the percentage of Jewish undergraduate students is approximately 20%.</p>

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<p>Thanks, I think it sounds like a perfect match, and I’m hoping they’ll give me some merit money when I get my SAT above 2100. </p>

<p>But what is its reputation?</p>

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<p>Rochester is a great school. If that interests you, you may also want to look at Case Western. They are often compared. </p>

<p>Although it has been debated whether it is an “urban” area, Wesleyan is also an outstanding option that may fit your criteria.</p>

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<p>I think, that for people who have heard of it, Rochester has an excellent reputation. It is known to be extremely strong in the sciences, with numerous internship opportunities since the hospital/medical school is right on campus. In addition, it has strong programs in linguistics, math, history and computer science of of course, its Eastman School is one of the top music schools in the country. If you’re interested in specific programs or the acceptance rates into medical or law schools, there’s a poster here, MConklin, whom I believe is an admissions rep for Rochester, who could probably answer specific questions.</p>