<p>So I need help compiling a list of colleges to apply to for undergrad (Fall 2011 term)</p>
<p>I’m interested in Political Science/International Relations</p>
<p>Here are my stats:
2230 SAT
3.8 unweighted GPA
probably around 4.2 weighted</p>
<p>APs/Honors taken:
Algebra 2 Trig
Geometry
Pre-calc
AP Calculus AB
World History
English 9, 10
AP Biology
AP English 11
AP Psychology
*passed all AP exams with 5 or 4</p>
<p>Next year:
AP Gov/Econ
AP Literature</p>
<p>Main extra-curriculars:
Professional Bollywood Dance Company since 08 (been dancing way before that)
Key Club since 08 (now President)
Debate (2 years in HS)
Yearbook/Publications (now Editor in chief)
Volunteer for mayoral political campaign in 08 </p>
<p>Any suggestions of colleges that you know would be good for a person with my stats?</p>
<p>4 University of Michigan–Ann Arbor Ann Arbor, MI Enter your zip 4.7<br>
6 University of California–Berkeley Berkeley, CA Enter your zip 4.5<br>
7 Columbia University New York, NY Enter your zip 4.4<br>
7 University of California–San Diego La Jolla, CA Enter your zip 4.4<br>
9 Duke University Durham, NC Enter your zip 4.2<br>
11 University of California–Los Angeles Los Angeles, CA Enter your zip 4.1<br>
11 University of Chicago Chicago, IL Enter your zip 4.1<br>
13 University of North Carolina–Chapel Hill Chapel Hill , NC Enter your zip 4.0
13 Washington University in St. Louis St. Louis, MO Enter your zip 4.0<br>
15 University of Rochester Rochester, NY Enter your zip 3.9<br>
15 University of Wisconsin–Madison Madison, WI Enter your zip 3.9<br>
17 New York University New York, NY Enter your zip 3.8<br>
17 Ohio State University Columbus, OH Enter your zip 3.8<br>
17 University of Minnesota–Twin Cities Minneapolis, MN Enter your zip 3.8<br>
20 Cornell University Ithaca, NY Enter your zip 3.7<br>
21 Northwestern University Evanston, IL Enter your zip 3.5<br>
21 University of Illinois–Urbana-Champaign Urbana, IL Enter your zip 3.5<br>
21 University of Texas–Austin Austin, TX Enter your zip 3.5<br>
24 Texas A&M University–College Station College Station, TX Enter your zip 3.4<br>
24 University of California–Davis Davis, CA Enter your zip 3.4</p>
<p>So right now I have a tentative list of colleges. Feel free to say if some should be removed/added/strongly considered.</p>
<p>UC Berkeley
UC San Diego
UC Los Angeles
UC Davis
UC Irvine
Dartmouth College
Princeton University
Duke University
Stanford University
Northwestern University
University of Southern California
Washington University at St. Louis
New York University
University of Chicago
Georgetown University
Santa Clara University</p>
<p>Dartmouth seems like the perfect college for me. I’m a complete environmentalist & nature lover and a pretty hard worker when it comes to studies. Also seems like it would be a good place to make some connections (poly-sci/intl relations).</p>
With the exception of Santa Clara (safety) and USC and NYU (matches), your list is extremely top heavy. </p>
<p>Princeton and Stanford are rather unlikely. Their admit rates will be in the 6-8% range next year, and your grades/scores/ecs put you toward the lower end of the applicant pool. Dartmouth isn’t much easier (9-10%), and the other reaches (Duke, Northwestern, Georgetown, WUStL, and even Chicago now) are in the 14-18% range and increasingly competitive. Admit rates are not a very good way of measuring selectivity, but it is important to realize that Princeton/Stanford accept about 2 or 3 applicants out of 20 with your stats, and the others accept roughly 4 to 6 out of 20. Don’t underestimate them!</p>
<p>Unless you’re completely sure you’re fine with attending UCI or UCD, consider adding a few more matches - George Washington, American, Rochester, and Emory are a few possibilities. The suggestion of Tufts was an excellent one.</p>
<p>@warblersrule86: After reading your post, I have realized it’s not a good choice to apply to Princeton. According to some friends, it would be too competitive and preppy of an environment for me. I can honestly say that I am not extremely competitive and only do what I am seriously passionate about. I am also considering removing Dartmouth from my list (although it breaks my heart) because it’s secluded and forest-y. I guess I’m looking for more of a city life…although I can adjust to any environment.</p>
<p>I am using UCSD, UCI, and UCD as safeties.
How do Duke, Columbia, and UPenn sound as reaches? They seem more reasonable.
I looked into Tufts, and it seems like a good match for me. Same w/ CMcK. Thanks, Alistar and poi.</p>
<p>Thinking about removing WUStL and NW. Keeping Stanford just because it’s close to home & parents want it.</p>
<p>If you are top 10% Penn is a reasonable reach for you.
For IR definitely keep Georgetown, since it also has the city aspect.
CMC is not in a city, so you would have to be okay with suburbs.</p>
<p>There are LAC’s with great political science departments (Amherst, Middlebury) and some slightly easier to get into (Macalaster) that are known for international studies. You might want to add 2 LACs just so you have some size choice come April unless you are totally set against them.</p>