Suggest a college, please!

College Search & Lists
1

<p>Hi everyone, I just graduated high school this past May and I am currently taking a gap year to pursue some interests of mine, in addition to the fact that my previous college search and application process was a complete farce.</p>

<p>Now, down to the details.</p>

<p>Background Info</p>

<p>Gender: Male
Age: 19
Race: Caucasian
State: Arkansas
HS GPA: 3.27
Class Rank: 8/13
I come from a single parent household who has struggled to get by at times. My EFC last year was $0 last year and I am also a first generation college student</p>

<p>You may get the impression that I am a recruitable athlete after reading my ECs. Even if that may be so, I wish to disregard that factor in my search/chances. Thanks!</p>

<p>ACT: 29* (Took it without any study at all and “slightly” hungover. I plan to study extensively and retake the test this fall. I expect to score in the mid 30’s region.)</p>

<p>AP Tests- High school did not offer AP Classes. I did take the hardest classes offered but I also slacked off quite a bit in my Sophomore and Junior years, resulting in my dismal GPA.</p>

<p>Academic Awards- Lacking. Bad.

  • I was an ambassador to the EAST conference my sophomore and junior years. And that is about it, other than an assortment of school awards.</p>

<p>Activities- This, in my opinion, is my strongest area.</p>

<ul>
<li><p>I have volunteered over 700 hours at a local Junior High as a graduate assistant coach. Duties including coaching summer teams, complining statistics, instruction during practice, and management duties (laundry and mopping). This is a passion of mine and will probably be the topic of my essay.</p></li>
<li><p>I was named to the Quiz Bowl All-State team 3 times (9,11,12) and was named to the All-Region and All-Conference team and was captian all four years of high school. I spent a considerable amount of time practicing and competing.</p></li>
<li><p>I was named to the All-Region baseball team 2 times (11,12) and the All-Conference team 3 times (10,11,12). I was captain of the Varsity team my senior year and implemented a plan to have new dugouts built. I spent a ridiculous amount of time playing baseball (Around 15 hours a week in the winter and 40 hours a week in the summer, ~50 weeks a year.)</p></li>
</ul>

<p>Writing</p>

<p>Writing has always been my strong suit. I love to write and expect my essays to be very good and hopefully exceptional.</p>

<p>Recommendations</p>

<p>They are coming from my Quiz Bowl coach/Assistant baseball coach/Science teacher and the coach that I did the volunteer work for. I expect them to also be very good and have a feeling they will be exceptional. I have a very good relationship with both of them and I trust that they will be able to portray me very well.</p>

<p>Desires/Interests</p>

<li>Size- ~5,000 or smaller</li>
<li>Location- I prefer the North, in particular New England. However, I am open to other locales.</li>
<li>Studies- My interests lie in the Social Sciences, in particular Economics and Political Science. I am also interested in Journalism and Finance i.e., banking, stock market, and MBA.</li>
<li>Social Aspects- I desire a well dressed and social student body. I do like to relax on the weekends with friends. If I had to label the type of student body I desired, it would fall under the “preppy” category.</li>
<li>Academics- I prefer a broad based education as well as small classes. LAC appeal more to me than most universities. I like personal attention and I want the chance to do research at the undergraduate level.</li>
<li>Any you have any more questions regarding the type of institution I desire please do not hesitate to ask.</li>
</ol>

<p>Schools that have piqued my interest are:
Williams
Amherst
Colby
Bates
Bowdoin</p>

<p>Sorry for the long post but I need help. My last college search was a total failure in large part due to my own decisions. A lot of you are very knowledgeable about colleges and I have faith that you can help me.</p>

<p>Thank you so much in advance!</p>

2

<p>You would need a safety or two. Score 32 and make Hendrix/UoA that safety.</p>

<p>First generation + rural Arkansas + good EC + decent scores could very well offset the very poor GPA.</p>

<p>I do suggest that you look at “Universities.” From reading what you wrote, I get the impression that you think only an LAC will bring your personalized attention and undergraduate research. I am also confused by your preference for a preppy school.</p>

3

<p>I would not go to the University of Arkansas except as a last resort. As for Hendrix, it was one of the colleges that I was accepted to. However, that acceptance came very, very late and the financial aid offer was horrible.</p>

<p>Personally, I want to get out of Arkansas. I have lived in poverty and around poverty for all of my life. I am longing for a fresh start. I visited Boston around three years ago and absolutely loved the city and the surrounding area. Hence, my desire to go to school in that region.</p>

<p>As for the preppy label, it was a way of classifying the student body that I desire. I personally do not believe in the label but I have found that apparently a lot of people on this board stereotype colleges and it was a way to express the “stereotype” that I want i.e, Athletic, Very good social skills, etc. Sorry if it confused you and in no way was it meant to demean or belittle any individual or school.</p>

4

<p>Williams is very rural. Consider universities in the cities since you like Boston so much.</p>

5

<p>Check out the “Colleges That Change Lives” website. Since you like Boston, Clark may be of interest. Also, Brandeis might be a reach, but worth a look.</p>

6

<p>Hobart & William Smith Colleges, NY
Hamilton College, NY
Allegheny Collegy, PA
Wesleyan University, CT
Connecticut College
Ithaca College, NY</p>

7

<p>One to consider (of course not in New England) is Berea College in KY. Free if you qualify and I think you might.</p>

8

<p>You sound like an person with an interesting personal narrative, but one who has not yet excelled at school. If I were you, in addition to your other plans, I would try to do something academic during the gap year–i.e., take a course at a community college or even an online course–to bolster your academic credentials and show colleges that you are really interested in learning. While I don’t want to discourage you, unless you are being recruited, colleges such as Williams and Amherst would be super reaches. Here are schools I would recommend, although they don’t all meet all of your criteria:</p>

<p>Bucknell–very preppy, very good academics and according to the website did not have a student from Arkansas in the class of 2011, so your location would be of interest. While it is an absolutely gorgeous school, it is located in the middle of Pennsylvania–not very close to Boston</p>

<p>Trinity College–preppy, good academics, but located in Hartford, Connecticut (not a great town, but the school is very attractive)</p>

<p>College of the Holy Cross–conservative, great school, located in Worcester, MA–not sure if you would consider a Catholic school</p>

<p>Union–preppy, nice place, but located in Schenectady, not a great place</p>

<p>Lafayette–not quite as preppy as some of the others, excellent school, located in PA</p>

<p>Colby–on your list</p>

<p>Colgate–might be a reach, beautiful school, also quite isolated</p>

<p>University of Richmond–beautiful school, quite preppy and fairly conservative, located outside of Richmond, VA</p>

<p>Connecticut College–mentioned above</p>

<p>Hamilton College–mentioned above</p>

<p>Hobart & William Smith–good school, quite isolated location</p>

<p>I would also take a look at Gettysburg and possibly Lehigh (a university and a reach, but it has a lot of what you’re looking for)</p>

9

<p>wesleyan and middlebury</p>

10

<p>College of Wooster. Great school, fantastic merit money. (Northern Ohio.)</p>

11

<p>Denison (although in Ohio and not New England – located near Columbus, OH) may have the “preppy” feel you’re looking for and possibly a fit with your stats.</p>

12

<p>My tenative list right now is:</p>

<p>Bates
Bowdoin
Bucknell
Colby
Colgate
Conn. College
Dickinson
Hamilton
Middlebury
Williams</p>

<p>It is painfully obvious that I need more safeties.</p>

13

<p>I agree with the suggestion of Denison. At least half of what you have on your list now look like super-reaches. You might also want to check out Kenyon. Bringing your ACT up would definitely help. Have you taken SATIIs? I think that some of the schools on your list require 2, even if you have taken the ACT with writing.</p>

14

<p>Lehigh might be worth a look.</p>

15

<p>I don’t think Williams or Amherst are possible. I would drop the hungover excuse. midatlmom’s list looks good.</p>

16

<p>I second the suggestion you do something with your gap year to make sense of taking this year off–and not have it appear (as it may) that you just want a re-do. Without a new “story” you may get the same results as this year.<br>

  1. Sign up for college courses at cc or state u if still possible. Get A’s. Show work ethic and attitude have improved and you can handle the work.</p>

<ol>
<li><p>Continue with the work you are passionate about–if that is coaching kids, don’t stop. Perhaps a new leadership position in that area?</p></li>
<li><p>Look at a broader scope of schools in the areas you like. In Boston, you might look at Northeastern and in NY you could look at Skidmore and Union.</p></li>
</ol>

<p>Best advice–concentrate on making something special happen in your gap year and then use your great writing skills to express your growth.</p>

17

<p>Might want to look at Holy Cross(near Boston) and Davidson(near Charlotte).</p>

18

<p>add Lafayette and Fordham. I know Fordham would LOVE to have you. Apply to the Bronx-Main campus. Its the sister college of Holy Cross, both Jesuit schools. Fordham is an up and coming school and becoming highly competitive. It has superb sports, its a gorgeous campus, its in New York City and it is next to the Bronx Zoo and the New York Botanical Garden where it shares programs and professors. Students are like you…a touch preppy but not overly so. They have SUPERB scholarships available. Apply early…the early bird gets the worm.</p>

<p>Good luck to you.</p>

<p>I second midAtlmom’s list.</p>

<p>But Fordham is a superb fit, it seems to me. They are VERY strong in economics and political science with a very prestigious program in International Political Economy.</p>

19

<p>I applied to some of those schools on your list and it was a pretty crazy rat race
I had a 2130 on SAT. I was rejected frm Colby, Hamilton and Williams.
I didn’t apply ED anywhere so mistake no 1. I applied to a lot of small schools, mistake 2 .
Let’s see. Hamilton likes their ED bunch. Hamilton is pretty big on writing. But, I suggest u give Lafayette a better look, and they also like their EDs.
Anyway, LACs love their EDs.
Maybe u could give SAT a shot this year?
Also I want to suggest Northeastern, St. Johns (the one near Maryland with this quirky program)</p>

20

<p>All the choices I would have mentioned have been listed above except for Franklin and Marshall. It is easier to get into than many of the others listed but is still a very fine school.</p>