Currently, I’m considering the following schools, listed in order of preference. If anyone has any suggestions of schools to remove or add, it’d be much appreciated:)
Notre Dame (first choice)
Stanford
UChicago
Northwestern
Duke
WashU
Boston College
Swarthmore
Carleton
Grinnell
Villanova
Holy Cross
Georgetown
West Point
Creighton
Kenyon
Drake
I am a rising senior from a Catholic school in Iowa with an ACT composite score of 32 and strong ECs.
Unweighted GPA, EC’s?
How much can your family afford each year $$$?
Money is not a factor.
Academic interests?
Since (by personal ranking) you like BC, you might want to eliminate the more selective Swarthmore, Carleton, Grinnell and Georgetown.
GPA? What are your strong EC’s? Need more information to give you any suggestions.
If you like Northwestern and WashU, consider Michigan and UVA
@merc81 curious why you would suggest eliminating Swwarthmore, Carleton, Grinnel and Georgetown based on pdkeegan25’s personal ranking of BC?
@paveyourpath : The suggestion applies only under the condition that the OP is confident in his stated preferences. If such is the case, retaining schools that are both of a lower preference level and a greater selectivity level would appear to provide little utility.
Makes sense. I would keep Georgetown on there based on coming from a catholic high school and liking Boston College.
@pdkeegan25, you didn’t mention what your academic interests are and you should consider what each school has to offer in terms of your interests.
@merc81 Admissions are unpredictable, so I don’t know that that idea always makes sense - especially for students with high need, who are likely to get more from Swat or Grinnell than from BC.
Academic interests: political science, psychology, economics, philosophy, journalism, prelaw
Weighted GPA: 4.34 (almost all As and A+s in most advanced available classes, 2 B+s and 3 As first semester of freshman year)
Class Rank: high school does not class rank
Activities/Leadership:
Newspaper - News Editor
Marching Band - Section Leader
Jazz Ensemble 1 - Section Leader
Iowa Youth Congress - Squad Leader
Model United Nations
Spanish Club - CoPresidente
Speech - Improv Captain
Drama (Club)
Concert Band - Section Leader
Pep Band - Section Leader
Show Choir Combo - Combo Captain
Pit Orchestra
Liturgy Ensemble
Cross Country - Junior Varsity Captain
Soccer
Key Club
Ambassadors
Mascoting
National Honor Society
Math Club - Relay Captain
Running Club - Officer
Spanish National Honor Society
XTrAS
Ministers of Hospitality
Senior Service Committee - Education Subcommittee Leader
Senior Mentors
Hugh O’Brien Youth Leadership (HOBY) - Junior Facilitator (JUFA)
Iowa Youth Institute - Borlaug Scholar
Honors/Awards:
World Leadership Conference Delegate Top 10 Finalist (Hugh O’Brian Youth Leadership)
Outstanding Delegate (Model United Nations)
Outstanding Position Paper (Model United Nations)
Solo Division 1 Ratings (Concert Band)
Letters/Pins (Band)
Outstanding Soloist (Jazz Band)
Rookie of the Year Award (Show Choir Combo)
Combo Spirit Award (Show Choir Combo)
Most Improved Award (Cross Country)
Band Achievement Award (Band)
If you like a lot of things about Notre Dame, I’m guessing you want a lively & spirited campus with plenty to do. If that’s right, I would cut WUStL, Kenyon, & Grinnell. I’d also substitute Marquette for Creighton. Stanford is a real longshot for everybody…with a 32 and no hook it’s barely worth applying. Also hard to see a Notre Dame-type person loving Swarthmore or Carlton. If. I was to bet, i’d bet you will end up at BC & love it.
Given what it takes to get into West Point, I do not see it being a realistic 14th choice for anyone. It’s not even on the top 25% of your list. If it’s not a high priority for you, strike it.