Suggest some Safety/Match/Reach LAC's Please =)

SmallCollegesFTW
Wed, 23 Sep 2009 14:20:20 +0000

I was in a similar situation. I had a 32 ACT (~2100 SAT) and was at the 20th percentile of my class with a 3.6W GPA (4.2W). With similar if not “better” off EC-wise.

I ended up with over $19,000 in merit scholarships at Beloit College and so far am loving it.

I was rejected from Bowdoin and waitlisted at Kenyon, Oberlin, Grinnell and Macalester.

If you are not in the top 10% of your class and you are not an athlete or URM then I think that nearly all “top 25” LACs will be big reaches. However, there are tons of LACs I think are better or as good. I would never trade what I have at Beloit now and go to my top choice (Grinnell). I feel challenged, but not over stressed and the environment is wonderful. I know people who actually chose Beloit over Wesleyan, Bowdoin, Grinnell and Carleton to come here.

Schools like Beloit may lack the prestige and prowess of its peers, but I promise you will not lose anything by going to a school like such.

Here are smoe schools you should consider that are fantastic academically, that are more under the radar.

Beloit, Knox, Lawrence, Whitman (still a small reach for you), St. Olaf, Hampshire, Illinois Wesleyan, Earlham, Occidental and many others. Most of these are in Colleges that Change Lives, a book I think you should definitely give a look!