<p>I was wondering if, for a safety school, having academic achievements greater than most of the other students could be a negative factor in success/enjoyment there as a student. </p>
<p>For example, the school’s average high school GPA is 2.70… I currently have a 3.93. The school’s average SAT score is 1050… I scored a 1450. </p>
<p>I understand that these are just numbers… but I was wondering if more could be indicated by them. I want to go to a school in a community of people that enjoy learning. I want to actually be challenged by classes. </p>
<p>My question, basically, is whether or not a school like this could offer me the academic community and challenging classes for which I am looking.</p>
<p>There will probably be a very small intellectual atmosphere and the classes probably won’t be challenging. If you wouldn’t be so obscure about what school youre describing, it would be easier to answer the question because sometimes schools vary greatly.</p>
<p>I think you know the answer to your question. How could you be challanged or stretched by your peers at a school where you are so above the average?</p>
<p>I have yet to come across schools with that low of an average gpa. You could easily find plenty of safeties with more serious students. If for some reason you have to go to that school (money or location or something; I don’t know your situation), definitely look into the honors college.</p>
<p>There is something to be said about being a big fish in a small pond.</p>
<p>I was an average student at an average college. But there were amongst us a group of students that was far above everyone else in academic abilities. All of them certainly could have gone to a more prestigious school.</p>
<p>I noticed that the faculty and the administration paid careful attention to these people and provided them guidance and other support throughout their college careers. All of them went on to name brand grad., law and med. schools. The administration of the college and the faculty made it their business that these people flourished.</p>
<p>-Veritas949: The school that I am describing is Concordia College- NY. </p>
<p>-Kirmum: It seems like that question would be self-explanatory, but I wasn’t sure whether or not a decent sized group of students would exist that are above the average too.</p>
<p>-Elizabeth: The honors program at this school is an option, although it only includes about 40 people (only 10 per grade). Requirement for the honors program: 1200+ SAT. I don’t know… do you think that the honors program would be worth it?</p>
<p>-Carolyn: Can you suggest some safety schools, so that I can get a better idea of what ‘level’ on which I should be looking?</p>
<p>-Lionswim: The money that this school offers is quite tempting, but the only way that I will have to go to this school is if all of the other schools to which I applied reject me. Can you also suggest some examples of safety schools on a higher level. </p>
<p>-Toblin: Yes, being a big fish would be nice… but I would probably tire of it after a while. Your story about the above average students at your school was interesting; it is good to hear that things can work out well in those situations.</p>
<p>I agree with toblin, you will find that there are academically serious students at a number of schools, even those with relatively low average stats. You will also find profs that are hungry to mentor a strong student. I would also recommend if you choose a place where your stats are “star status” to look hard at majors with medium to few students - you don’t want too few, because the number of profs and courses may be too limited. I went to a 3rd tier regional university and majored in chemistry. Chem majors at this school did not have the super resources available at other schools, but what we did have was first rate teaching, good advising, and lots of individual attention.</p>
<p>Others things I would consider - honors college at your state uni might be your best bet as safety and as a nucleus of serious students - not your only possibility, just one of the better ones, and probably a good financial bet as well. If you have been Red or Ded in the ED round and you are feeling insecure, look for a rolling admit school, large or small, for a quick admission to bolster your confidence. Thirdly, look for schools with “pockets of excellence” in areas that interest you - for example, DD applied to a small rolling admit LAC in a city with a major medical center. On paper, this school wouldn’t look too fabulous - BUT, its lower stats are in part because it has to take some full fare customers with lower stats to keep the doors open, so it operates as a “second chance” for a group of kids who parents can pay, and it has a fairly large arts dept, with students who are talented, but not all at the top of the class. What it does have is a relationship with the medical school, providing a source for internships, research, etc, and has a very good record of admittance to that med school. It is as rigorous as the student chooses, so kids graduating with honors from this college are a known quantity to the crosstown state med school - that’s the type of research you need to do to pick a strong safety.</p>
<p>Thank you for that post. It corroborates the process we have used with S. and are extremely pleased with the result. We chose a rolling admission local school where his stats are relatively high and he applied early. He received a nice merit scholarship and a large emotional boost. He whistles in the morning now as he readies for school! And - let me be clear - this safety school is very strong in his area of interest and would be a solid choice for him, and may well be the school he attends. </p>
<p>Just for the record, students can be highly successful at colleges where they are at the top of the heap. There was a Rhodes Scholar this year named from the University of Wisconsin at Eau Claire. UW-Eau Claire has mid range ACTs in the low 20s. Very few students have SAT’s equivalent to 700+. But this student was highly motivated, found research he could pursue and found a mentor to help him with the application process. This student has gotten what he needs educationally at a fraction of the cost of attending a private school. I am not saying this is the best option for most students, but I think it shows that you can find success at many schools if you are motivated and work hard.</p>