Want to cut down my college list

College Search & Lists
1

I’m going to be a senior next year and I want to start on apps now. Because of this, I need to create a list of colleges to apply for. Here’s my current list:

Reaches: Harvey Mudd
Swarthmore
Caltech
Matches: Vassar
Northwestern
Northeastern
Safeties: Brandeis
University of Washington

I plan on studying neuroscience or cognitive science. I’m not planning on doing pre-med however. I’m trying to cut at least 1-3 colleges from that list. Please also feel free to recommend any more!

Here are some of my stats:
SAT: 2220 - on sitting (800 math, 740 writing, 680 reading) (plan on retaking in October. Hopeful for >2300)
PSAT: 219 (I didn’t know this actually mattered for National merit lol. currently thoroughly regretting not studying…)
SAT II: Math 2 770, Bio 700, Lit 710 (plan on retaking in November. Hopeful for 800 math and bio)
GPA: 3.9
AP: 5- Computer Science, World History, Physics B, Calc BC, Government, English Lit
4- Biology, Chinese, English Lang
3- US History
IB: 5 HL math, 5 HL Lit, 5 HL History, 6 SL Business, 6 SL Physics, 7 SL Chinese (Total: 34)

If you need any more info please let me know!

2

Have you talked to your parents about how much will they pay?

3

All of these schools with the exception of UW have around the same cost of tuition (40-50k). They are willing to pay for most of it as long as the school is “worth it”. I plan on applying for scholarships, applying for loans, and working on campus if the need arises. I also plan on doing RD for all of them to look at all the financial packages they offer. At the moment, however, cost is not a huge issue.

4

You can cut Harvey Mudd - no neuroscience or cognitive science (although they have computational biology).

5

Northwestern is a high reach for most every applicant. Last year they accepted 1/2 of the class ED. The overall acceptance rate was 13.1%. But since you are not applying ED you are looking at a sub-10% acceptance rate.

Is your home state Washington? If so in addition to University of Washington add another of the University of Washington campuses to your list.

My sense is that your list is too short. You need more 2-3 more match colleges. Since you “hint” on the need for scholarship money Brandeis is not a true safety. Perhaps a match. The safeties would be your instate colleges.

6

I would add at least one more safety-safety. Your stats are great, but you never know. Northwestern is a reach, so add another match.

7

Thanks everyone for the feedback!

This might be kinda broad but does anyone have a suggestion for a match school that has a decent neurosci/cog sci program? I’m thinking it would be a school with an admittance rate of somewhere between 20-35%.

Thanks!!

8

You can look at URochester, and Lehigh

9

Bates’ neuroscience major is supported by a full department.