Other schools?

College Search & Lists
1

Hi all,
Looking at the list of schools I’ve applied to, I’ve recently noticed that I seem to be sort of undershooting— there are, like, 4 schools that I’m pretty much positive I’ll get into (out of 6). My first choice is Wellesley; I applied there ED and it’s obviously very selective. I’m hopeful, but if I don’t get in I’d like to at least have a shot at other, comparable schools. Suggestions for other, more competitive places to apply would be very much appreciated!

GPA: 98/100
ACT: 33 (35 E/R, 30 S/M, 10/12 essay)
SAT: we don’t talk about it
SAT subjects: Literature (800), US History (780), World History (780)
APs: World History, US History, English Lang & Comp (all 5s)
Extracurriculars: praefectus (publicist) of my Latin club, Junior Classical League (1st in Texas and 3rd in the nation in Roman History, 1st in Texas in JCL), soprano in semiprofessional ecclesiastical choir, principal tuba, low brass section chief and varsity band secretary, UIL literary criticism and current events (captain of both, smattering of local awards), intern at the criminal court that encompasses most of the greater San Antonio area (with a judge who’s probably headed to the Texas Supreme Court sometime soon), couple of summer academic programs and things of that nature, two research projects for the JCL that won 2nd and 1st respectively at the state convention, independent research for the Concord Review on attitudes about Dante in 19th and 20th century America, specifically as a function of the political climate.
Awards: AP Scholar, National Merit Commended Scholar, 3 straight years of gold on the National Latin Exam (kind of a big deal in the classics world)

My current schools list:
Wellesley
Mount Holyoke
Saint Anselm
Sewanee
Saint John’s College (Annapolis)
Miami University (Ohio)

2

Maybe Holy Cross in Worcester–great academics and you can still take a commuter train to Boston. If you really want a reach, how about Georgetown? Acceptance rate is very low, but you’re a strong student and would be a very reasonable applicant. Congrats on your success and good luck!

3

Have you explored all the NESCAC schools? Your creds suggest you have a good shot at them. Look at Williams, Amherst, Middlebury, Bowdoin, Colby, Bates, Wesleyan, Tufts, Trinity, Connecticut College, Hamilton, Colgate. Holy Cross is like a NESCAC but with a Jesuit twist. BC might be a good option. Vassar, Haverford, Bryn Mawr and Swarthmore too. Dartmouth and Brown might be worth taking a look at too as far as Ivies go.

4

You are a strong candidate for merit at Sewanee, if that’s a consideration.

5

In terms of selectivity, you can screen (roughly) by statistical factors:

http://www.businessinsider.com/the-50-smartest-colleges-in-america-2016-10/#49-rensselaer-polytechnic-institute-average-sat-1372-3

http://www.businessinsider.com/the-610-smartest-colleges-in-america-2015-9

You can then further screen by more substantive characteristics and attributes of importance to you.

From your current list, Mt. Holyoke seems like an excellent choice.

Kenyon would seem like a nice alternative to Sewanee.

I think you will get into Wellesley though.

6

Smith.

7

Vassar
Hamilton
Reed
Wesleyan
Kenyon
Oberlin
Middlebury
Smith
Barnard