<p>Hello all:
Since I’m applying to a lot of colleges, I would appreciate some help in ruling out one of these two (Stanford or Penn).
Here are some things I am looking for:
Great undergrad History and Political Science programs (I want to major in these fields)
Mostly small class sizes, (less than ~40-50) mostly taught by professors
Good career/fellowship advisors and offices (I want to get a PhD in Politics or a law degree after I graduate, so I need support in applying to grad school)
Rigorous yet not cutthroat atmosphere
Intellectual students who are really interested in learning, not just getting a degree
Opportunities and organizations for political activism
Interesting, approachable professors (for the most part)
Not too much drinking or drug use (I’m fine with some of both, but I don’t want everyone getting drunk or high on the weekends)
Vibrant residential life
And, I would like to apply to the one that I have the best chance of getting into (my academic information is below)
I go to a large, public school and rank somewhere in the top 3%.
Cumulative Unweighted GPA: 3.95
I have only taken 2 AP classes (European History & AP English Language & Composition) as the school I attended in 9th & 10th grade did not offer honors or AP classes, but I am taking 6 more this year (AP Calculus AB, AP Calculus BC, AP Statistics, AP Environmental Science, AP English Literature & Composition, AP US History).
I have also taken 3 college courses (one at UW Madison, one at a local community/technical college and another at American University) and I am taking another this year at UW-Madison under my school district’s dual-enrollment program.
US History SAT II: 800; Literature SAT II: 740
AP US History (4) (Self-studied, taken in 9th grade), AP European History (5), AP English Language & Composition (5)
ACT: 35 (English, 35; Math, 32; Reading 36; Science 35)
SAT: 2270 (Critical Reading: 800; Math: 750; Writing: 720)
I have good, but not outstanding extracurriculars except for my independent research of history and volunteering with a political campaign. I also have about 600 volunteer hours.
Which college would best suit my needs?
Thanks for reading!</p>
<p>Oh, and I meant to say I was applying to the College of Arts and Sciences at Penn.</p>
<p>If you’re mostly applying to west coast colleges, Penn would add some diversity to your list. If you’re applying to other Ivies and northeastern schools, Stanford would add some diversity. </p>
<p>The two are a wash in history. Stanford gets the nod in political science, but the difference is not significant for an undergrad. Weather, location, social scene, etc. make the two colleges feel very different. Have you had the opportunity to visit or overnight at either?</p>
<p>Your stats place you in the running for both. Though Stanford has a lower admit rate, admissions is rather unpredictable, and it’s quite possible to get into Stanford but not Penn. I don’t advise trying to calculate your chances.</p>
<p>really, flip a coin, it’s that close. have you considered money? what are the net price calculators saying about which will cost you more?</p>
<p>I assume that you are not legacy to either and that you are not applying ED/EA. The admit rate for RD to Penn CAS is about 7% and to Stanford it’s 5%. With such low numbers the best strategy is to apply to both and should you be fortunate enough to get admitted into both then repost your question. You’ll then find very subjective replies to your questions. They are both extraordinary universities.</p>