Expert: buzzard - 10/17/2004

Question
Okay, I'm a junior in high school.  I go to the Maggie Walker Governor's School for Government and International Studies, which is a specialized magnet high school.  All of my classes are honors, and I am currently in 2 AP classes (I took one last year too).  I have around a 3.0 gpa and a 200 on my PSAT (68 verbal, 60 math, 72 writing skills).  My parents really want me to go to a prestigious school, but I don't think I can get into any of them.  What do you think?  And what, in your opinion, is my ideal college?  

Answer
Hi, Morgan!

Check out this website:  http://www.princetonreview.com/college/testprep/testprep.asp?TPRPAGE=295&TYPE=SA...

The list of schools is a mixed list of schools that are probably universally recognized as "prestegious" and some that are less so.  Prestige is, after all, in the eye of the beholder.

My guess is that your high school is fairly competive and As do not come easy there... and colleges probably know that.  In fact, stop by your guidance office and ask to see the high school profile they probably send out with transcripts to see what colleges will learn about our school. (If they won't give you a copy, I'm sure they'll give your parents one.)

I do not think that it would be unreasonable for you to apply to some "P" schools.  It would also be wise to apply to some that are not.  Your GPA is a little on the low side for some of these schools, but they will also see that you are taking a rigorous curriculium.  Many of the "P" schools really do take time to throughly consider an application. It's always waiser to let them say "no" to you than for you to assume you don't stand a chance and say "no" to yourself.   (Get an application from the U. of CHicago.  Now there's a really interesting application, and your good writing skills may really pay off here. Haven't read the questins for this year yet...)

What do you plan on studying?  If you are heading for grad or professional school, you may want to consider a second tier, small liberal arts college for undergrad and going for the big name for graduate study. I think most students would really benefit from working directly with faculty who really get to know you.  US news and World Report always has an interesting list of highly rated regional libera arts colleges - many of them are often overlooked gems. checkout: http://explore.cnu.edu/universityrelations/mediaservices/clips/undiscovered_gems...
AND
http://www.findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m0BTR/is_1_24/ai_109179056
AND
http://www.findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m0BTR/is_1_22/ai_78839335  

I am not convinced that the "P" schools actually provides a superior education at the undergraduate level. They do however provide you with a name that will carry weight for the rest of your life and put you in a network - there's no denying that.

I don't know howe much of a factor this is, but at a second tier college you stand a change of getting more scholarship money.  Just someting to keep in mind.

What is your ideal college?  What are your goals for your life? How do you learn best? How do you respond to a competive enviroment? What is your learning style? Do you desire any particular activities? Big or small campus? Big or small city? Homogeneous or hetrogenous student body? How many people in a classrooom?

Try this:  Complete this sentence as many times as you possibly can:  "The college I attend should..."  Keep your answers as measurable as possible.  We cannot measure " be a good school" or "Be far from home".  One person's 'far' is another person's 'close'. Then decide which of the items on the list you "require" be at your college and which you "desire".  Get back to me with your list!

Hope this is helpful.  It's great that you are working on this now!