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Hello everyone, I'm a junior at EO Smith in Storrs CT and was just looking for some advice in a manner which seems to be rather cliche in this forum... sorry. Basically, I'm trying to figure out what colleges would be reasonable for me. My relatives, friends, and even counselors have given me inconsistent advice on which I should look at, so I'm turning to you b/c this seems to be one of the best places.

Quantitatives

GPA unweighted: 3.4/4, weighted: 5.1/6 ( :-( )
Class rank: 37th of 298, this falls around the 88%
SAT I: 1440 combined, 770 V 670 M
SAT II: would expect 760-800 writing, 620-650 math IIc (took them on the 5th), will retake along w/ literature & physics

Qualitatives

I have letters in 5 sports, involved in band (trumpet), drama, model un, robotics team, ski club, NHS, have recieved mention/been published in 3 writing contests, play piano, worked for school's IT dept last summer. My schedule is comprised of the highest level courses my school offers. My low class rank and gpa are due in large part to a math course I slacked off in during 10th grade (C-) and am retaking the second semester of so I can take calc my senior year. Also, my transcript shows linear improvement from my freshman through junior years.

So, given this, I'm looking at colleges such as William and Mary, U Mich, UNC Chapel Hill, St Mary's, LeHigh, Colby, Uva, etc. I realize most of these schools are reaches. If you have any thoughts on my chances at the above institions, or other recommendations (pref. on east coast) I would sincerely appreciate your feedback. Thanks a lot, and sorry if this was a long post.

-sean

By Alejandro (Alejandro) on Monday, June 07, 2004 - 10:50 pm: Edit

What do you want to major in?
Out of the top of my head you could look into:

Babson (business)
BU (safety)
BC
Tufts
Emory

hmm I would help more if you mentioned a major or area of interest I guess

By Reidmc (Reidmc) on Tuesday, June 08, 2004 - 01:33 am: Edit

Hearing about your academic and career interests would be helpful

By Edwebdev (Edwebdev) on Tuesday, June 08, 2004 - 02:43 pm: Edit

Hey guys thanks a lot for your responses. Though I'm in no way sure what I want to wind up doing, I'm interested in the sciences and english, careers I'm looking into are medicine, psychology, psychiatry, education. Sorry if that's too broad; I enjoy things spread across the spectrum. However, I really abhor math and history classes tend to irritate me. If there are any more narrowing criteria please ask, and thanks once again for your feedback.

By Kriskrass (Kriskrass) on Tuesday, June 08, 2004 - 03:19 pm: Edit

my advice dont take our suggestions to seriously remeber its just a suggestion not a concrete answer so that it makes you change around your application process, as none of us are really qualified to give concrete admissions criteria on behalf of these schools.

By 007 (007) on Tuesday, June 08, 2004 - 03:35 pm: Edit

Most of the ivies will be like Match/Reach category

By Alejandro (Alejandro) on Tuesday, June 08, 2004 - 03:49 pm: Edit

i agree kris. When we give you colleges you should look into them, go to their sites, ask people you know about them. Don't blindly apply to schools we suggest, because, after all, we don't know you.
I don't think the ivies are a Match/Reach for anyone cuz their admissions tend to be very random

By Edwebdev (Edwebdev) on Tuesday, June 08, 2004 - 05:33 pm: Edit

well, im not really looking for 'concrete' selections. i'm just trying to find a place to start, so any ideas you guys have will be most appreciated as, like kriskrass and alejandro recommended, general starting points. thanks once again for all of your ideas - its nice to have a forum of people who can help out in this complicated process.

By Edwebdev (Edwebdev) on Tuesday, June 08, 2004 - 05:49 pm: Edit

oh and im sorry- I probably should have put this in the 'what are my chances' forum

By Reidmc (Reidmc) on Wednesday, June 09, 2004 - 01:37 am: Edit

I'd add Trinity College (CT), Kenyon, Wesleyan, Bates and maybe Colgate, though all but Kenyon are in the reach category for you today. Focus on a strong fall semester to get into the top 10% of your class. St. Mary's is an excellent safety for you and it would be a good idea to come up with additional less-selective options you like to round out your list. Dickinson and College of Wooster might be worth investigating.

By Edwebdev (Edwebdev) on Wednesday, June 09, 2004 - 04:51 pm: Edit

thanks for your ideas, reidmc

By Edwebdev (Edwebdev) on Saturday, June 12, 2004 - 05:08 pm: Edit

ouch put into the archive