CAROLYN- I need your help picking SAFETIES!

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College Discussion Forums: College Search and Selection: December 2003 Archive: CAROLYN- I need your help picking SAFETIES!

Hi Carolyn,

Thedad recommended that I ask you about helping me find safety schools. After a re-evaluation of my list, I realized I need places I can **definitely**, or have a very good chance of getting into. I don't know if you've read any of my posts at all, so I don't want to reiterate information that you may possibly know... so whatever you need to know please ask if you would be so kind to help!!!

THANK YOU!!!

By Culovv (Culovv) on Saturday, November 29, 2003 - 03:57 am: Edit

In the midst of all the excitement you forgot to post your stats. hahahaha... I know ive seen your stats before but posting them in this thread might help people with similar stats (me??) :/

By Carolyn (Carolyn) on Saturday, November 29, 2003 - 11:44 am: Edit

Twinkletoes - Culovv is right - let's start with your stats (I think I have an idea from reading past posts but want to make sure). Then, tell me what you're interesting in studying. What schools are already on your matches and reaches? What type of school are you looking for and do you have any geographic preferences? I'll be happy to check my lists for you and see if I can make a few recommendations.

By Twinkletoes696 (Twinkletoes696) on Saturday, November 29, 2003 - 01:56 pm: Edit

Okay!

"Stats"

SAT I: 680 V/610 M (in practices have been scoring in the mid-upper 1300/lower 1400 range, but granted, they are only practices and don't mean anything until the actual testing)

SAT II: 770 Writing (11/03), 720 U.S. History(5/03), 690 Lit(11/03), 610 Math IC (11/03)

AP results: 5 U.S. History 5/03

Class schedule this year:

AP English Lit
AP Spanish 5 (I'm going to guess that it's language, seeing as how we don't read anything complicated in this class... focus is mostly on grammar and speaking)
AP Psychology (ind study)
AP US Govt/Pol
Italian 1
Sociology
Creative Writing
Gym (requirement)
Independent study of something else... undetermined as of yet.
During one of my study halls I have (as a result of quitting physics...eh-hem... and calc... only calc dropped shows up on my transcript... but I am taking 3 more electives to compensate for the the void) I tutor a kid who is not passing first year Spanish.

GPA: 4.43
Rank: flip flops between 2-4 out of class of 320-325ish, public high school

Hmmm...what else...

ECs: (I'll only list the really important stuff)
*editor-in-chief of my school newspaper (also includes layout editor, staff writer, etc.)
*National Honor Society Secretary
*student representative to school board(talk about relevant issues that affect my school)
*volunteer at an elementary school as a tutor/ teacher's aide
*active student council member, leading blood drives, toy/food drives, dances, other school sponsored events, etc.
*Art, Spanish Honor Societies
* I work at a toy store
*Dance: Ballet/Jazz/Hip-hop, have not been able to attend for over a month because of an injury but will return

...hmmm... that's about it for stats...

My indefinite school list , with definites and possibles

Brown
Trinity (CT)
Tufts
Smith
Connecticut
UConn (possible scholarship money that is super attractive to parents)
Skidmore
Boston Coll.
Colgate
Hamilton

^^^ not applying to all... it's an indefinite list I need to refine and possibly add new schools to

I'm undecided in what I'm going to major in, but I have particular interests in psychology, sociology, and political science. Law school is a consideration in the future because I might want to be a lawyer, but lately I've been thinking about business school as a possibility as well because advertising/marketing seems pretty cool.

I need schools that will forgive me for my lack of science/math aptitude. I have gotten As in these classes in the past, and went as far as pre-calc and chem, but for some reason could not manage in physics and calc (hence why I dropped in pursuit of subjects I could do better in and were more relevant to what I want to do within the next few years)

I have an interest in child studies as well, and theatre/dance.

I'd prefer to stay in the northeast/mid atlantic, except for Maine because I've been there and it is *really* too cold for me... same with why Cornell got the nix... too cold :0) (Even though CT winters are cold too, but Maine winters=definitely more brutal)

As for type of location... hmmm... I prefer suburban, a place where there are things to do, or right outside of a city... It could be rural as long as it isn't too rural, but I prefer suburban/urban.

School size: medium preferably

The possibility of having small classes is important.

An open curriculum or lack of a strong core is important as well.

A "moderate" campus politically is preferable. (somewhat liberal/somewhat conservative... a mix)

I think that's about it! Any questions feel free to ask, and thank you for your help!

*Twinkle*

By Carolyn (Carolyn) on Saturday, November 29, 2003 - 02:57 pm: Edit

Twinkle, you have a GREAT list of schools - some of my personal favorites are in there!

From your list, it seems you favor smaller schools and also like LAC's or universities with an LAC focus. Here's some schools that may be good safeties (or near safeties) for you:
Goucher College (MD), Drew University (a small school in NJ), Muhlenberg (PA), Manhattanville (NY), Hollins (VA), Hartwick (NY).

If you're willing to go to Ohio or western PA, I'd also suggest you look at Denison, the College of Wooster, Kenyon, and Allegheny College as possibilities. (Humor me and take a look at them anyhow!)

Hope this helps - I know how hard it can be to finalize the list but really you have some great schools on your list already and it seems like you have done a good job figuring out what you like and don't like.

By Sunshine916 (Sunshine916) on Saturday, November 29, 2003 - 03:17 pm: Edit

being an Ohio resident...

Denison, the College of Wooster, Kenyon, and Allegheny College=some of my personal faves.

i guess im not into the whole LAC thing, but that basically sums up all the really great schools around here that are safety-matches for you!

definitely look into them if your parents will let you travel out here

By Reidmc (Reidmc) on Saturday, November 29, 2003 - 04:56 pm: Edit

Goucher is a good pick, as is Kenyon though it's super-rural and a match not a safety.

You might also look at Franklin and Marshall and Dickinson. The latter is a larger LAC (2300). The former is in a small city and you can sub two writing samples for SAT 1s. Both in rural Pennsylvania though, and your SAT 1 may need to come up a bit to make Dickinson a true safety.

By Twinkletoes696 (Twinkletoes696) on Sunday, November 30, 2003 - 04:30 am: Edit

Reading this almost makes me feel better about the whole picking out process, in terms of knowing what I want to a such an extent that I can actually make a list of schools and apply.

I like my list of high matches and reaches, although it must be cut. Thanks, Carolyn regarding the list of great schools (I will gladly admit CC was a major factor in helping me to dream up my list!) Out of curiosity, what are your personal favorites?

Everyone has given me EXCELLENT suggestions and I definitely appreciate them! I will look more into the schools mentioned, despite the crunch time between now and when applications are due. (ugh! I need another month... I am a late bloomer in this college process. I actually DECIDED that I was going last year. It was always important to me, but there was a period of time where I just wasn't warming up to the idea enough... but by the end of soph. year I knew that's what I wanted for myself)

Thank you everyone!!

Sunshine- Slowly my mother is accepting that I MAY be a good distance away... I need to grow up at some point, after all, and she would feel bad in limiting my future if she tried to limit where I went to school. Personally, I prefer not to be EXTREMELY far just because, but I think going out of state would provide a nice change of pace.


Reid- Just wondering, but how much would the SAT I scores need to come up?

By Culovv (Culovv) on Sunday, November 30, 2003 - 04:53 am: Edit

Twinkletoes696:

Thought about applying to Grinnel? Its free and it looks like a match with your stats.

I wouldnt worry too much about the SAT. A 1290 isnt that bad and the rest of your stats compensate for whatever the SAT lacks. Im going into the SAT II's next week knowing that I dont really need to improve much... I feel a lot more secure than I did last time i took them for the first time. You should feel the same. Concentrate, but doing go insane if you are running low on time (although I do love the adrenaline rush I get once I realize there is only 1 minute left and Im in the middle of a problem... it happened to me for 4 straight problems last test because the proctor didnt write the time left on the board. It was great!). I'd say that Dickinson is already a safety, but 50 more points on the SAT should eliminate any worry

After reading hundreds of Carolyn's posts, id say that some of her favorite schools are Colgate, Trinity, and Reed. I should have applied to Reed.

Now back to my UC apps...

Good luck,

culovv

By Thedad (Thedad) on Sunday, November 30, 2003 - 11:13 am: Edit

My two sesterces: I don't see Twinkle at Reed.
Colgate & Trinity, however....

Twinkle, I like Reid's suggestion about looking at Grinnell, despite the fact that it's halfway across the country (Iowa). The more I think about it the left-over shavings of time in a Nutcracker weekend, I think Skidmore is a good fit (if not a safety) for you and should probabl be one of your three top choices. It has very good ballet for you, the late-blooming ballet student, and the reports are that it's a very friendly student body. As for as location, it's only one state away....

By Carolyn (Carolyn) on Sunday, November 30, 2003 - 01:14 pm: Edit

No, actually Colgate and Trinity College wouldn't make my list of "favorite schools." They're both good schools but a bit too preppy for my personal tastes. Out of Twinkletoes list, if I was applying to school today, I'd say Connecticut, Smith, Tufts and Brown would be my first choices.
My other personal favorites (not on her list) include Whitman College in Washington state, Carleton in Minnesota, Kenyon in Ohio, the College of Wooster in Ohio and Lawrence in Wisc. But, again, those are just my personal favorites based on the type of undergraduate experience I wish I could have had all those years ago....

By Sunshine916 (Sunshine916) on Sunday, November 30, 2003 - 01:24 pm: Edit

i think Skidmore has one of THE nicest and most accepting student bodies i've ever seen with my own two eyes. their dorms are also great

Twinkle, i agree with TheDad that Skidmore should be in your top 3. i've heard a lot of people actually begin dance there, and its such a great place.

definitely a great place to be.

By Monstruo (Monstruo) on Sunday, November 30, 2003 - 01:38 pm: Edit

"Thought about applying to Grinnel? Its free and it looks like a match with your stats. "

??? Grinnel is FREE??

By Momx4 (Momx4) on Sunday, November 30, 2003 - 03:35 pm: Edit

My friend's son goes to Grinnell, and I can tell you it's definitely not free.

By Culovv (Culovv) on Sunday, November 30, 2003 - 05:19 pm: Edit

Momx4:

Im talking about the application. Fee is waived for online applicants.

By Twinkletoes696 (Twinkletoes696) on Sunday, November 30, 2003 - 05:44 pm: Edit

Ahh!! Thanks everyone!!

Skidmore is definitely back on the list. I'm PRETTY sure they take the common application, but I must go back to their website and check it out.

I will look into Grinnell too, especially since it can't hurt because it is a free application. I don't know how I feel about going to school in Iowa-not because it's too far but I really don't know anything about the location itself.

Skidmore seems so great, from the dance (especially because of the fact that people start there... and since I've only been a ballerina for a short time that's a definite perk!), cute college town, it's an LAC, and I just MIGHT get in. Not to mention, from what has been mentioned here, a very friendly student body, which is a major plus to me. It's actually very high on my priority list, because friendly students make it easier to make friends more quickly, not that it's ever been a problem, but it's one less thing to be concerned over.

Carolyn- I also love your "personal favorites" that I mentioned on my list... they're all amazing. Why do I only get to go to one college???

Thedad-My two sesterces: I don't see Twinkle at Reed.
Colgate & Trinity, however....

Hmmm... I don't know anything about Reed, really, so I don't know how/if/why it's not a good fit.

I THINk Colgate and Trinity could be good fits, but I'm not positive...

By Sunshine916 (Sunshine916) on Sunday, November 30, 2003 - 06:04 pm: Edit

Skidmore's application IS the common app. i should know, i was doing it today

people there are so nice. i did not meet one arrogant/mean person on campus. they all seem to genuinely want to meet you and such. i went for a special on campus program with 10 students total. we had at least 30 students and all the math/science faculty greet us and we had an awesome dinner where i got into lots of good conversation with both the students AND faculty. i know one of the girls there chose Skidmore over Cornell because the people there were so much nicer and it has so much more of a "college feel"

its one of my favorite LACs along with Kenyon, Denison, and Wooster... oh and im applying to Williams

By Carolyn (Carolyn) on Sunday, November 30, 2003 - 08:53 pm: Edit

Skidmore is a wonderful school - you really won't go wrong with any of the schools on your list Twinkletoes. Just add one or two absolute safeties that you can be happy at if necessary. Since you like Ballet (didn't remember that) Goucher would be a good safety. It is similar in some ways to Skidmore in terms of the type of students it attracts - and they offer Ballet/dance. Apparently, they also allow you to take some classes at Johns Hopkins.

By Culovv (Culovv) on Sunday, November 30, 2003 - 09:44 pm: Edit

Carolyn:

I just took a quick look at Skidmore's profile. My major is offered, my GPA is at their average GPA level, my SAT is above average, and im an URM so id say its a match. The only problem is the cost. 34K a year is WAY too much for me to handle... So would you happen to know anything about Skidmore's financial aid?

I would have made a new thread, but the other people applying to Skidmore might be interested in this issue also.

thanks,

culovv

By Sunshine916 (Sunshine916) on Sunday, November 30, 2003 - 10:30 pm: Edit

a lot of kids i met at Skidmore were on a lot of financial aid. give it a shot and apply!

By Twinkletoes696 (Twinkletoes696) on Monday, December 01, 2003 - 01:34 am: Edit

The more I hear about Skidmore, the more I like about it. I think I'm going to try to book a visit SOON so I can see the campus, take a tour, get a feel for the area, talk to students and INTERVIEW!

I don't know what my GPA is unweighted but I'd assume it's close to a 4.0 because I have so many A+s. Then again.. .I have 5 Bs total.

Lab Science frosh yr (requirement for all freshman)-89
Draw/Paint (frosh yr)-89
Pottery- B (frosh year)
Gym Fresh/Soph yrs: B+

The rest are primarily A+s/As.

I couldn't guess for the life of me, but I think I would be around their average GPA.

Sunshine- YAY! I LOVE the common app! It makes applications *so* much easier. I think there is a supplemental part though, I must check that out. I like the whole idea of a nice "college feel" because one of my favorite parts of going to my HS is the comraderie among my friends and me.

Carolyn- I'm going to add Goucher to my "possibles" list and research it some more. How is Baltimore in terms of the city itself?

BTW-Sunshine- I know someone who was rejected by Yale, accepted by Georgetown, Lehigh and another, and Wooster, and is at Wooster now and LOVES it! The Greek scene is supposedly big, but the kids there seem to balance academics well with partying.

By Carolyn (Carolyn) on Monday, December 01, 2003 - 12:15 pm: Edit

Like many other schools in the Northeast, Skidmore is expensive. They have a reputation of doing a good job with need-based financial aid. About 50% of students get some form of financial aid. The average aid package, according to the Skidmore financial aid page is $21,000. I do know that Skidmore tends to rely heavily on student loans as part of the aid package so that's something to bear in mind.

By Carolyn (Carolyn) on Monday, December 01, 2003 - 12:37 pm: Edit

Twinkle - I visited Goucher many years ago - as I recall, it had a very green and wooded campus. It is located in the suburbs of Baltimore, not the downtown area of Baltimore. The Fiske Guide notes it is in walking distance from the suburban town of Towson, Maryland. Towson apparently is something of a college town as Towson State is there as well. Downtown Baltimore has been redeveloped over the years - I have been to the harbor area and it is a fun area. Baltimore, as you probably know, is about an hour's drive from D.C. so I suppose that also opens up weekend opportunities.

Goucher is very generous with merit-money as they are trying to boost their enrollment and academic profile. About half of students receive merit scholarships, including some up to full tuition. Merit scholarship eligibility starts with scores of 1100+, depending on the type of award. According to the web site, if you have a combined SAT of 1200 you automatically qualify for a $10,000 year merit scholarship. Other scholarships provide full tuition, room, and board for all four years.

Goucher is big on internships - in fact, you are required to either do an internship or study abroad in order to graduate. I remember they were doing internships back when I was looking at colleges many years ago which was a radical idea at that time. Their career development office is very good as well.

As for departments, psychology, communications, English, education and communications are all particularly strong. Their dance and theater departments have a good reputation. They have really built up their bio/chemistry programs in recent years and have a joint program with Johns Hopkins that lets people start at Goucher but get an bio-engineering degree from Johns Hopkins.

The biggest turnoff about Goucher to some people will be the male-female ratio. Since it used to be an all-female school like Skidmore, the male-female ratio is about 30/70. On the other hand, this makes Goucher a true safety for most men.

By Jamimom (Jamimom) on Monday, December 01, 2003 - 05:30 pm: Edit

Muhlenberg is also a nice pick. One of the kids I tutored last year got a nice merit award for dance from there. Another got a small award with a nice package from Wheaton College in Massachusetts. A low cost LAC is Mary Washington in Virginia which is a personal favorite of mine. Ursinus is a nice school that gives some good merit scholarships. Also check out the SUNYs. They would make excellent financial safeties especially if you are from NY, but they are more reasonably priced than some state schools even for out of staters. Binghamton, Geneseo and Purchase come to mind with your dance interest. Good luck. You already have a bunch of nice choices.

By Ch2 (Ch2) on Monday, December 01, 2003 - 05:39 pm: Edit

Hi. I see you mentioned Grinnell further up on the thread as was wondering if you can give many any personal info about it. I am applying there this fall as a safety/match but haven't visited. It sounds pretty cool, but most people think I'm crazy for applying to a school that's "in the middle of a cornfield". Anyone have more personal experience with or info about Grinnell?