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Well, it's almost time for me to whip out the college applications, and it seems as if I am in a quandary. I don't have a clue where I want to apply! I am considering the following:
As reaches: Princeton, Amherst
As Possibilities: Cornell, Columbia, U.of Chic.
As Safeties: U of Florida, Boston University, R. Polytechnic
I know that this seems like a reasonable list, but in reality I'm very insecure about it. So here are my stats:
GPA-3.9 UW, 4.8 W
SAT-1440, (740 V, 700 M)
SAT 2- Math 1-690, Writing-760, US Hist.- 800
Rank_ In top 5 out of about 800
Multiple leadership positions in: Interact (Sec. and Pres.) NHS (VP) Math Honor Society (Sec.), ect, ect.
Volunteer at a Wildlife Center, plan on getting around 150-200 hours
I know that these stats are average, so please don't give me posts like, "why are you even considering Princeton, you'll be rejected for sure." That isn't what I'm asking. What do you guys think of my list? Any suggestions on what I should add, comments on what I have, or any random pieces of advice.
Ooo, and this seems to be the biggest problem of making a solid list. I'm not sure if I want to go into the field of law or veterinarian medicine. (and please don't give me posts like "how are you even considering being a vet with a 690 math 1?" I know, I know.) I know I would like either a small school or at least the feeling of a small school. I would prefer to go to a school in the NE, but I'm open to suggestions.
Well, Thanks ahead of time for any input at all, i am eternally grateful

By Gjw1684 (Gjw1684) on Tuesday, June 03, 2003 - 08:30 pm: Edit

hey there,

i personally would advise either amherst for the small school feel and cornell for your major (and even if you decide to change majors in the future). Your stats are good enough to get into the most of your schools, but financial aid and scholarships is a different issue. Also, where are you from because it would make a big difference (for example, socially UFL is so much different than RPI). I personally would apply University of Chicago, Amherst, and Cornell because of the environments. If you have any specific questions, i can help you as much as you can. Good luck with the admission process .
God bless

By Gjw1684 (Gjw1684) on Tuesday, June 03, 2003 - 08:32 pm: Edit

sorry, one more question

why would you consider RPI if you're not a science, mathematics, or engineering major. Just curious.

By Interesteddad (Interesteddad) on Tuesday, June 03, 2003 - 09:17 pm: Edit

It's kind of strange list for someone who prefers a "small school feel". Florida and Boston University are HUGE. Columbia and Chicago are both big city universities. RPI is about as far removed from an idyllic small campus feel as you could get, being smack dab in the middle of a fairly grungy, gray city.

Amherst is nice smallish liberal arts school, but the odds in the lottery are very small unless you are a minority, legacy, or varsity athlete.

By Pisces (Pisces) on Tuesday, June 03, 2003 - 10:44 pm: Edit

why dont you look into some more LAC's. you can get a great education, theyre small schools, and you can do either pre-vet or pre-law and switch if you need to in the middle of it- no big deal, no switching schools. It seems like you might be looking too much into the big name university and not considering what will make you comfortable. There are plenty of LAC's besides Amherst that are just as impressive and will get you into a great grad school.

By Starbyrst (Starbyrst) on Wednesday, June 04, 2003 - 06:39 pm: Edit

Thanks you guys, and I'll try and explain my list for you. I am from florida, thus UF would be a safety. RPI because I got one of those junior award scholarship thingies which guarantees me at least 60,000, so I can't just ignore that. (I am aware of it's social reputation.)Boston because I just love the area, Columbia because of all the opportunities and U Chic. because I've learned about the school and feel it might be my type of school. Pisces and anyone else who is in the know,what LAC's do you recommend I look into? Also, I mention "small school" feel becuase I would love to get the individual attention and smaller classes that smaller schools usually have. But I figure that I might be able to find those qualities in a larger school that is perhaps somehow still focused on the individual student. Possible? Thanks for all the advice

By Floridaboy11 (Floridaboy11) on Wednesday, June 04, 2003 - 06:44 pm: Edit

What high school do you attend?

By Starbyrst (Starbyrst) on Thursday, June 05, 2003 - 03:46 pm: Edit

anyone?

By Starbyrst (Starbyrst) on Thursday, June 05, 2003 - 03:48 pm: Edit

south florida area

By Starbyrst (Starbyrst) on Saturday, June 07, 2003 - 02:36 pm: Edit

bump bump bump

By Ariesathena (Ariesathena) on Saturday, June 07, 2003 - 03:16 pm: Edit

*Tufts University (5 miles outside of Boston, MA): has the only vet school in New England, less than 5,000 undergrads, nice campus. Your stats are average for it: you stand a decent chance of getting in.
*Boston College: about 10 miles outside of Boston, small, beautiful campus. You will most likely get in. Jesuit college, don't know how that will influence you.
*Holy Cross: Worchester, MA (about an hour and some outside of Boston): Jesuit, good school, had a few classmates who went there and loved it.
*Brandeis University: about 10 miles outside of Boston, less than 4,000 undergrads, small campus. Good pre-medical programme. You'll probably get in, and get some financial aid.
*Moving outside of Boston: Williams is close to Amherst, has about 500 students per class, and has an excellent reputation. Campus is the most beautiful I've seen; loyal alumni.
*Wellesley College: About 20 miles outside of Boston (but, like Brandeis, they have a shuttle into the city), all women, excellent reputation. Admissions a little less competitive than Tufts. Beautiful, Gothic style campus.

There are over 250 schools in Massachusetts, many located near Boston. The ones I listed are some of the more academically competitive ones. If possible, try to fly up to MA for a week or so and look at them, or email the schools and find alumni in your area. As I mentioned earlier, Tufts has the only vet school in New England. All the schools listed will help you with law school. What it is hard to understand as a hs student is that law schools want to see that you could get discussion in your classes; a large university will be detrimental to that.

LACs which are small, in New England, and good: NESCAC conference schools (athletic conference of NE small colleges). Amherst, Bates, Bowdoin, Colby, Colgate, Connecticut College, Hamilton, Middlebury, Trinitiy, Tufts, Wesleyan, and Williams. All good schools, all under 5,000 undergrads or so, all focused on academics. http://www.nescac.com/ will give you links to the athletic sites of these colleges, and you can find the home pages through that.

Good luck!

By Starbyrst (Starbyrst) on Saturday, June 07, 2003 - 03:33 pm: Edit

Thank you so much!!! I will definately look into all the colleges you've mentioned. I am eternally grateful! anyone else have any recomendaitions?

By Starbyrst (Starbyrst) on Saturday, June 07, 2003 - 03:37 pm: Edit

also, would going to tufts as an undergrad give me an edge for its vet school?

By Ariesathena (Ariesathena) on Sunday, June 08, 2003 - 11:00 pm: Edit

I know that Tufts loves admitting its pre-meds to its med programme; if possible, talk to the pre-vet advisor (email, phone, or in person) before applying. Good luck!

By Starbyrst (Starbyrst) on Monday, June 09, 2003 - 01:58 pm: Edit

Thank you so much, i am eternally grateful