IMO: when you are aiming for the tippy top schools, detail will matter a lot.
The temptation applicants have is to list everything and make them sound awesome. But list a few things in great detail and don’t boast or make them more than what is plausible will go a long way.
Another potential red flag. You should be very clear about how you assisted.
Aside from NU and Williams, do you have other schools on your list that are more likely admits? Are there any schools that you’d be happy going to if all else fails, that are a nearly guaranteed admission and affordable?
Right now, we know that you like interdisciplinary studies, opportunities for research and schools that support and take care of their students. Fortunately, that describes a lot of schools. What we need to do, however, is to narrow in more about what you want out of your college experience.
Some questions you might want to reflect on:
Letting us know more about what you want will help us to provide more targeted suggestions.
A thought experiment: suppose your ED school admits with the expected net price.
Now suppose your second choice school admits with a full ride. Will you regret having pre-committed to the ED school?
Nope
we have a savings account that we can withdraw money from so money is not really not an issue as long as they give the aid within the expected range on the net price calc! i understand that Northwestern and Williams is super competitive so I was looking for schools that are similar to them but more possible for me to get into
I prefer smaller class sizes but the size of the school in general does not really matter to me. Idrc about greek life/sports and I don’t have a preference for urban/suburban/etc or climate! I hope to go to school in the East coast but I’m fine with any unless its like in the deep south. I want to find a school with kind students that arent like competing with each other all the time if it makes sense?? like a supportive community
I wasn’t really sure that’s why I asked on here, I’m sorry if im not being really helpful
Williams- look at Bates, Colby, Lawrence, Beloit, Wheaton, Franklin and Marshall, Goucher, Trinity, Conn College, Skidmore, Vassar U Vermont.
Northwestern- Rice, BU, GW, American, Rochester, Pitt, Brandeis Miami (OH), Wash U, Macalester, Carlton.
alright! thank you so much for your help!!
thank you!
Why isn’t Stanford on your list? It beats being out in the snow and has everything you are looking for.
Below are some schools that you might want to research:
Extremely Likely (80-99+%)
Likely (60-79%)
Toss-Up (40-59%)
Lower Probability (20-39%)
Low Probability (less than 20%)
Tbh I gave up on stanford a long time ago lol. NU and williams are unlikely too but stanford is probably impossible for me LOL
No worries. I just wanted to check if you had looked at any. @AustenNut has provided excellent suggestions.
I know you asked about ED options, but I assume you’re planning to apply to some UCs and/or CSUs? They don’t meet your desire for small classes, but could be a strong option, especially if financial aid doesn’t come through as you hope. They are over your states budget, but since you’re in-state, it sounds like you would be eligible for need-based aid, and they might not be too much over budget even if financial aid is less than you hope.
yup! I’m planning to apply to all the UC’s
Yeah, but if you ED and get into a school that you don’t really want to go, you may be stuck, even if you later get into places like UCB or UCLA.
With your stats, I would polish up the EC list a bit, work on your essays and ED that one dream school. If it turn out you can’t afford it, then that is a valid reason to break the ED contract. Same thing happens with RD anyways.
Some schools are more generous with need-based aid than others but most do not offer merit scholarships, so do your diligence early.
Do you think I would a chance or should I lower my ED target?