Recommend me some good reach schools to apply to (But are not impossible)

College Search & Lists
1

Rundown of my stats (Yes I know they are not normal CC stats)
GPA: 3.97
I don’t have any AP classes but that’s because I’m doing a dual enrollment program called running start where I go to a college full time both for high school graduation and for my AA degree (which I will get before I graduate high school) Also I have taken hard classes like Calculus and engineering physics and I have a 3.95 college GPA
ACT: 27 Composite E: 31 M: 28 R: 23 S: 26 (Going to try to retake for a 28 or 29 since I averaged a 32 on the math section during practice tests but I have to focus on writing my essay and work and cross country so I won’t have too much time to study.I already studied for 3 months and got from a 24 to a 27).
I am a senior this year so I am super worried about colleges
President of Jewish student union
In a leadership program where we raise money, and do volunteer work.
Award for placing 100+ hours of community service.
Have about 200+ hours of volunteering in total
CCNA Certified (Cisco Certified Network Associate)
XC
Rec Soccer
JSA club
Bilingual (English and Russian)
4th place in Karate tournament out of 50 people
Doing Karate for 4 years and will get my black belt soon
My current schools (My counselor recommended me to apply to reaches because you never know)

  1. University of Washington - Seattle
  2. Pennsylvania State - University Park
  3. University of Minnesota - Twin Cities
  4. University of Wisconsin - Madison
  5. Boston University
  6. Northeastern University
2

Rose Hulman is a great, small engineering school. You have outstanding grades and good but not great test scores. Your 23 Reading score makes sense if you grew up speaking Russian. Madison is tough to get into. Family income might make private colleges more affordable.

3

–What is your home state?
–What about finances? How much are you able to pay per year? Out-of-state schools won’t give you fin aid.

4

If I get it up to a 29 could you recommend me some schools. I’m a washington resident (Seattle)

5

I won’t be applying to the engineering programs directly.

6

Going to do undeclared

7

If you can get that ACT up to 29, as is your goal, you will get into some of the schools on your list.

Here are some private schools that would still be reaches if you got the 29, but not impossibilities:

Rice (take a shot; why not?)
USC
NYU
Lafayette
Lehigh
U Rochester
Tulane
Wake Forest

8

Thanks! I think wake forest is test optional btw, so wouldn’t it be a match?

9

With your GPA, yes, probably.

Also – while obviously Rice would remain a full reach, I think 3.97/29 might put you more into the Low Reach category at USC, NYU, Rochester and Lehigh… and maybe High Match at Lafayette and Tulane.

No guarantees, of course, but some options to give yourself a nice shot at a good private education, should you decide you prefer that to the good state schools on your list.

10

Besides Wisconsin, are all my other schools matches/safeties?

11

I may be wrong but if your ultimate goal is engineering I don’t think Wake Forest offers it.

12

on your original list, I think they are all either matches or high matches. UW-Madison OOS is probably a high match or a low reach – they will love your GPA but you’ll want that 29 to solidify your chances. Northeastern and Boston U will probably be about as difficult to get into as UW-Madison OOS.

I don’t think you have any true safeties, and your state flagship is (in this case) too good to be a true safety. Would you consider Washington State to fill the role of Safety?

13

Thank you! I might look into Tulane, seems interesting.

14

It’s one of the more prestigious universities in the South and the most prestigious in Louisiana. Looks like a pretty campus.

15

The mid 50% of ACT scores at Northeastern for 2015 freshmen is 31-34 so a 27 or even a 29 would make it a reach.

16

ACT is below average, but GPA is above average – probably depends on which metric Northeastern values more. It’s a bit more reachy than I’d originally thought. Still worth a shot if the 29 is achieved.

17

Have you considered the sat?

18

1790 680 math 500 reading 610 writing

19

which one did you find that you had to do less prep for? which ever that one is, dedicate maybe 5 hours a week for studying. you can definitely improve your score and a little increase (maybe 200-300 sat or 2-3 act) along with your high gpa will increase your chances for all of these schools significantly.

20

1790 no studying but I hate the SAT format. I would rather study for the ACT