<p>Im currently a high school senior and I applied to a few impossible schools because I had some application waivers from being a Questbridge college match finalist. Then, I found out that I was accepted to going on an exchange program. Therefore, I didnt bother to apply to any in-state or less selective schools since I wouldnt be going to college until Fall 2009.</p>
<p>However, now Im not sure where I should plan to apply. What good schools do you think I should consider? Im not entirely sure what I want to major in, but, I know that I do want my career to ultimately be something where I travel internationally such as Foreign Service or an international business. I like creative stuff too, so I may consider the marketing and advertising side of things.</p>
<p>About Me:
Black
Female
Expected Salutatorian
First generation U.S. Citizen
First generation college student
Florida Resident (Unsure if I will keep that classification)
4.2 GPA (Weighted)
SATs (will retake): CR-630 | M-540 | W-690</p>
<p>Extracurriculars (Years Done):
National Honor Society (Sophomore-Senior)
National Black MBA Association (NBMBAA) Leaders of Tomorrow (Junior-Senior)
Church Choir (Sophomore-Senior)
Church Orchestra (Sophomore-Senior)
3rd Grade Math Tutoring (Senior)
Volleyball (Freshman-Sophomore, Senior)
Class Treasurer (Sophomore-Junior)
Light Force - Church Volunteer Group (Freshman-Junior)
Teachers Aide (Freshman)
Business Elective (Sophomore-Junior)
2-4 Honors Classes (Freshman-Junior **Honors classes cancelled in Senior year)
Dual Enrollment/College-Credit courses (Junior-Senior)</p>
<p>Other:
Undecided Major/Specialty (but definitely not medical)
I like drawing, fashion, and graphic design, but Im still unsure I want to pursue this further with deadlines or just keep it as a hobby. I<code>m worried that if I do something like that professionally, that the daily grind and having to deal with critical people who dont know what theyre talking aboutor worse, critical people who DO know what theyre talking about may take the enjoyment out.
I was one of 16 students chosen from various chapters across the U.S. sent to London free of charge by the NBMBAA Leaders of Tomorrow for their Leadership Camp.
Questbridge Finalist (but not matched)
The only reason I don</code>t have AP courses is because my school does not offer any nor have any nice agreements with schools that do.
Im taking a gap year and going to be a high-school level exchange student to Brazil for the 2008-2009 year with Rotary International.</p>
<p>Just so you know, selective (i.e. USNews top 20 or so, not that these are all of them) colleges typically want SAT scores upwards of 1300. Naturally, high grades and “hooked” status are important, but you should certainly consider your in-state or “less” selective schools (not necessarily “un-selective,” but not schools with the selectivity of, say, Tufts or the like). I don’t know much about arts schools, but you may want to look into SCAD, FIT and RISD, though one would imagine that they’d be reaches.</p>
<p>I don’t have any suggestions, but if you get into any of your impossible schools, and want to go there, write the dean’s office a letter, most colleges will allow you to defer your acceptance for a year and enroll the year after the one you were admitted for. </p>
<p>This would be especially nice for you since you’re going to be abroad.</p>
<p>impossible = just a bit of hyperbole for really selective</p>
<p>I felt that “reach” was too light of a term. Plus, I kept it vague for a reason. I wanted to skip anyone’s inclination to compare my stats to a school I already applied to and waste time scoffing (especially since sometimes these forums seems to waver in and out from “realistic” to pretentious rather easily). </p>
<p>Instead, I want people to go straight to the suggestions of schools that might fit me or be a worthwhile reach.</p>
<p>Well, here are some fits that came to mind:</p>
<ul>
<li>U of Florida</li>
<li>U of Miami</li>
<li>Savannah College of Art and Design (i.e. SCAD)</li>
<li>Fashion Institute of Technology (in NYC, just recently started offering a 4 year bachelor’s, and is highly regarded in its specialties)</li>
<li>Florida State University</li>
<li>U of Central Florida</li>
<li>Ithaca College (it’s in upstate NY near/adjacent to Cornell)</li>
</ul>
<p>Ruby, I think your background and achievements would make you a person of interest to just about any college in America. That doesn’t mean 100% guarantee, of course, but even with your current SATs, you’re in the ballpark of possibility.</p>
<p>I would therefore not worry so much about where you’d get in (aside from the standard good advice to have a balance of selectivity) and concentrate on what you want, in other words FIT. </p>
<p>Think about what you’re looking for in geography, size, ambience. Do you want urban/rural/suburban? Do you want coed or would you consider all female? Do you want sports, politics, arts?</p>
<p>My career happens to involve two of your interests: fashion retail and international business. Unless you really want to design (which I don’t think you do) you’ll be able to achieve your goals by starting with with a bachelor’s degree in any discipline that appeals to you. If, in a few years, you’re still interested in a career in the foreign service or international business you can get more specific in your graduate studies. </p>
<p>Your international exposure during your gap year will be infinitely positive.</p>
<p>If you are accepted to one of your reaches you can always defer matriculation for a year. If you’re disappointed in your acceptances, then use your gap year as a boost to your resume and reapply.</p>
<p>After you’ve thought more about what would be on your wish list, come back and let’s talk about some options.</p>
<p>No school suggestions, but a huge congrats on the Rotary exchange!!!</p>
<p>I agree with momrath…anything is within the realm of possibility. That said, is there any chance you’d consider re-taking the SAT, or trying the ACT? Your scores seem out of line with other elements of your profile…particularly math. If you’re content, that’s just fine, but if you applied to “impossible” schools in your first round, it seems like you may be interested in strengthening your profile wherever possible, and this is probably the most obvious suggestion.</p>
<p>Also, just FYI, your personality shines through your posts, and in a positive way. I hope you let it come through in your applications, as well. I’m sure it’ll benefit you :)</p>
<p>I would strongly recommend trying the ACT in April and/or retaking SAT in May. I’ll suggest Macalester for its international emphasis (around 14% international students and also a fairly high percentage of US students have lived abroad or been exchange students). It is also possible to continue your Portuguese there. Financial aid is good and the college is very convenient to the Minn St Paul airport.</p>