Where to look?

Applying to College
1

<p>Hey,</p>

<p>I’m a rising senior in a magnet high school in NJ. With my credentials, what’d be good colleges for me?</p>

<p>GPA ~ 3.7
Freshman year was very weak, many Bs due to laziness. Sophomore and junior years improved significantly. </p>

<p>3.0 Freshman year
3.8 Sophomore year
3.8 Junior year
3.8 Senior year (presumed… the best I can do is guess)</p>

<p>Most rigorous courseload possible.
Class rank: top 10%</p>

<p>SATs 2350
800 Math
770 Reading
780 Writing</p>

<p>No sports
Started a Model UN chapter (Co-founder, President)
JSA (10 - 12)
Model Congress (11 - 12)
TSA (Technology Student Association) (10 - 12)
FBLA (11 - 12)
DECA (11 - 12)
Physics Club/Physics Team (9, 12)
–> Only offered when taking physics, which I took in 9th and am taking next year.</p>

<p>Volunteer at: (all from 10th grade onwards)
Community soup kitchen
My County’s Democratic Committee
Hospital</p>

<p>I’m highly active in all three of these places (quality over quantity) </p>

<p>Interned at a bioengineering firm</p>

<p>Most of my activities were in debate clubs/politics, but I also took interest in science as well. </p>

<p>AP Classes:
Computer Science (10)
US History (11)
Calculus BC (11)
English Language (11)
Chemistry (11)
Physics C (12)
Biology (12)
European History (12)
English Literature (12)</p>

<p>Self studies:
US Gov. & Politics (11)
Comp. Gov & Politics (12)
Environmental Science (11)
Statistics (12) (tentative)
Microeconomics (12)
Macroeconomics (12)
Human Geography (12) (tentative)</p>

<p>Most of the self-studies are/were either out of interest or because they fit in conveniently with other subjects I’m taking (e.g. ES with Biology.)</p>

<p>Where should I apply? I’m honestly lost on whether or not I have a chance at tier I schools because of my weak GPA (again, largely due to my freshman year) or whether or not I can get good scholarships at public schools. </p>

<p>Colleges I’m interested in:
Rutgers (safety)
Harvard
Princeton (though I’m slightly turned off since I can’t double major there)
Duke (really looks good, might apply ED)
… lots of other Ivies/tier I schools (all of which are reaches)</p>

<p>What are some good match schools/low reach schools at this stage?</p>

2

<p>What are you interested in? Knowing if you want to go into humanities, sciences, or some other field is a good starting point for developing your list of colleges. </p>

<p>Do you want to go to a university or a liberal arts college? I would guess the former. </p>

<p>You might want to check out: Wesleyan University.</p>

3

<p>I’m going to go in undecided, but I want to pick between a double major in political science and economics, or a double major in political science and biochemistry/biophysics.</p>

<p>I’d highly prefer an university, but I would consider LACs.</p>

4

<p>Undecided is fine. Now you just need to know what your preferences are. Since you want a university:</p>

<p>Big or small?
Is financial aid a factor?
Location?
etc.</p>

<p>Here are some other recommendations: Georgetown, UC Berkeley, University of Notre Dame, Boston University.</p>

5

<p>Fine either way, as long as I’m not in the extremes (i.e. really small or really big)</p>

<p>FA is a semi-factor. I’m hesitant towards expensive unis like NYU and Sarah Lawrence and colleges not offering good FA, but that’s about it. My parents are willing to contribute ~10 - 15k per year, with the rest being taken out in loans and (hopefully) FA.</p>

<p>No really. I’m not sure if my parents would allow me to go to school as far as California, but I’m fine wherever.</p>

<p>I like Georgetown and BU - is Boston College a good option? </p>

<p>Also, are those reaches or match colleges, at this stage?</p>

<p>Oh, and I’m really into UCs - particularly Berekely and UCLA - but wouldn’t the cost (even if I do get accepted) be sky high?</p>

6

<p>GTown is expensive, but still apply. Apply everywhere. Then in the end, you will have choices</p>