Should I even bother with my reach school? Or applying anywhere... at all?

Chance Me / Match Me
1

Hi guys,

I know this is long, but PLEASE bear with me…

I’m a high school senior and my complete procrastination with college apps is coming back to haunt me. I am on track to be able to turn in all my apps, if I work until the day of the deadlines, but I’m applying to a VERY large number of schools (see below).

  • Davidson College
  • Smith College
  • Wellesley College
  • Colgate University
  • Bowdoin College
  • Bryn Mawr College
  • Carleton College
  • Colby College
  • Lafayette College
  • College of William & Mary
  • University of Mary Washington (safety)
  • University of Michigan
  • University of North Carolina (Chapel Hill)
  • University of South Carolina (safety)
  • James Madison University (safety)

So, anyways, for my academic profile, most of these schools are going to be tough to get in to. My reasoning for applying to so many is that I figured that the more I applied to, the greater my chance of getting into at least a handful. I spent a lot of time researching these schools and compiling this list, and I would be very happy at ANY of them.

Also, I was going to apply to UChicago as a BIG reach. But I’m wondering if it’s even worth it, because I’m cutting it so close with these other deadlines and I don’t want to compromise the quality of my other applications by spending time on my UChicago Essays. I know my GPA and SATs are rough, but I’m a pretty good writer and have been told by several highly qualified people that my essays are very good.

My profile:
GPA: 3.7 UW, 4.1 W
SAT: 1310 (720 Writing/Language, 590 Math)
APs: Environmental Science, Biology, English 11, English 12, Statistics, U.S. History, Government, Psychology
Extracurriculars: JV Cross country, Varsity Swim Team, Spanish Club President, Environmental Club, Art Club, Key Club, Interned at Virginia Museum of Fine Arts
Awards: Honor Roll, Gold Key Award in Scholastics Competition (National Art Award)

White female at highly academic public school

2

Out of curiosity…if you knew you were applying to so many schools and many with multiple supplemental essasys, why did you wait so long to get them done?

I’d say you have a lot of serious reaches on that list and I would cut a few of those back.

3

I’m actually done with most of my supplemental essays (and all of the ones that due on January 1st, plus and I’m on break right now), so I only have a few more to do. And yeah, I figured some were a long shot. I’m trying to be optimistic…

4

Chicago is very score focused and very quant oriented. With a 590 math score, there is very little chance of acceptance there. And most of the other schools on your list are far reaches. I would look to add some matches and trim back the reaches, if you want to be in a position to have choices.

5

Thanks, I appreciate the feedback. Which would you suggest eliminating?

6

i, personally, think umich, and uchicago should be taken off indefinitely, maybe with carleton, colgate, and bowdoin, but i don’t know about the others. i hate telling people to remove schools from their list because applications are kind of YOLO decisions, but i hate seeing people end up wasting money.

7

Thanks for the advice.

I knew that a lot of these schools were a long shot, but I visited and loved them so much I figured it couldn’t hurt, but I also know I might just be setting myself up for more disappointment. I’ve already submitted test scores to all of them so at this point I think I’m going to try. I’ve shown a lot of demonstrated interest for Smith College (several on-campus AND alumni interviews, visits, Q&A participation) in particular, and it’s my #1, so I hope that works in my favor. Wish me luck.

8

ahhh, good luck! i’ll definitely be rooting for you. :slight_smile: don’t be shy to pm me your decisions if you’re ever on when they’re released!

9

Thanks:) It’ll be interesting to see where I do and don’t get accepted lmao

10

Most of those are serious reaches. Try adding more safeties.

11

I say apply test optional to Bowdoin. I know you already sent your scores, but there is a question on the application that asks what scores you want them to use, so I say answer that you don’t want them to use any. Imo, your chances will be much higher if you don’t send your SAT score.

12

Are all of these schools affordable?

13

For me, yes. I also don’t mind graduating with debt if I need to.

14

“I also don’t mind graduating with debt if I need to.”

This is a bad idea. You should avoid debt if you can, and minimize it if you have to have some.

I would suggest that you make sure that you have your applications in at your safeties first.

15

Your chance at UMich is very low due to weak SAT score and near 25th percentile GPA from OOS.

16

@savethebeess

May be too late to this party, but my question would be: Cobly and UMich? Bryn Mawr and UNC? Is there a specific reason for some of these schools? Colby, Smith, Bryn Mawr, Bowdoin, Wellesley, Davidson are at least somewhat of a “vibe.” Even Wm and Mary. UMich, UNC, USC are pretty different. I’d say you’ve probably sent them all in, but you don’t really have “safety” small LAC on this list. If you are drawn to small NE/East coast LAC might be worth trying to get a safety in if there are any with apps still open.

17

@CaliDad2020 My safety was Mary, and I just got into the honors program there this past weekend with a substantial merit scholarship. Combined with in-state tuition, it’s an appealing option. I know that even if I don’t get into ANY of these other schools (which the decision dates are in April for almost all of them), I will still be able to get a quality, affordable education at Mary Wash!

18

@labegg

I’d already done most of the essay work, but I was waiting until my winter break so I would have extra time to edit and finalize my applications, which I was very happy with and submitted on time. And I’m not going to eliminate a school just because it’s a reach… because that’s the point of a reach school.

19

@savethebeess excellent. If you’re happy about that option (and you should be!) and it’s affordable you’re in a great position. Congrats.