<p>First, I would like to say I will try to make this as succinct as possible. Im sorry in advance for failing.
Im a white NC female. 3.93 unweighted GPA, 229 PSAT, top 1%, most rigorous workload available at my average public high school. I havent taken the SAT or ACT yet.</p>
<p>As for my ECs, I only have one related to school.
— Learning Russian and glancing sheepishly at German (as well as French, taken in school).
— Harp; this includes paid wedding gigs, orchestra, and giving a weekly lesson.
— Flight lessons. Ill have certification by July.
— Archery. I’ve participated in a few competitions, so I figured I’d list it.
— Editor of the yearbook; the teacher says I’ll be editor-in-chief next year.
— Work. (~15 hrs/wk)
— Volunteering at the library. I’ve accumulated around 800 hours.
This summer, I’m doing research with a professor and have an internship at a local museum, plus more work. As you can see, I am very lacking in traditional clubs and leadership positions, but I was hoping what I have is somewhat unique to make up for it. My essays and recommendations are definitely going to be the best parts of my application.</p>
<p>I’m interested in anthropology, sociology, linguistics, international studies… the social sciences in general, as well as possibly Arabic or Russian. I’m very flexible with location – basically nothing is off the radar, so urban, rural, east, midwest, west, all of that is fine. I’d prefer a school with no more than 10k undergrads; both LACs and smaller universities appeal to me. As far as campus culture goes, I like to talk about class, current events, silly randomness, LotR, and anything in between – but I also like a party. Money is no issue.</p>
<p>So, anyone have ideas for safeties, matches, and reaches? Thanks for your time.</p>
Good, because the essays are typically one of the most important factors, especially when trying to slim down competitive students such as yourself. It can make or break you with ease. I would say you have a fighting chance at every university in the country, given that you have outstanding SAT’s or ACT’s (your PSAT says you will).</p>
<p>Strictly for academics, the University of Chicago is one of the top schools in the country. Those areas are among its greatest strengths. Other excellent schools in these fields include Harvard, Stanford, UPenn, Berkeley, Michigan, UCLA, and UT Austin.</p>
<p>Georgetown is strong in IR, languages and linguistics. Anthropology and Sociology? Maybe not so much. </p>
<p>Not too many LACs have strong linguistics programs. Pomona and Swarthmore seem to be exceptions.</p>
<p>Heh, I’m not a ■■■■■. The archery thing is the product of summer camp, and my dad is a pilot.</p>
<p>
Sorry, but I have to fulfill the daredevil needs. If it helps, I only do so while reading Dostoevsky.</p>
<p>Thanks for the suggestions! Chicago was mentioned to me earlier today, and it seems like the perfect fit. Georgetown was also on the radar; it would be a prime candidate because I am interested in perhaps working for the government.</p>
<p>One nice thing about Chicago and Georgetown is that they have non-binding early action applications. I don’t know what the notification dates are but at some schools it is as early as mid-December. If you’re in at an EA college and money is not an issue, then that becomes your safety.</p>
<p>Of the two, I usually recommend Chicago to all my harp-playing pilot friends.</p>
<p>Middlebury is wonderful for languages and seems to have some well-loved Russian professors. A lot of depth in both Russian and Arabic. I think they are adding a linguistics minor. It’s a great size—slightly larger than many liberal arts colleges at 2400 students. Amherst and Swarthmore might also be interesting. To help get an idea about a university vs. an LAC try to stay overnight at each if you can.</p>
<p>I’ve heard Amherst has good russian and arabic departments.
Since you are a women why don’t you consider the top all female Liberal Arts Colleges: Wellesley, Smith, Barnard, Bryn Mawr…?
Middlebury is known for its amazing language departments.</p>