Which College?

[P]Mitt September 12 2007 8:38 PM EDT

Which college should I apply to? I have absolutely no idea right now...

I live in california, so I'm definitely applying to the UC system, probably Stanford... but other than that, I have no idea...

Cost of tuition is not a problem, and I have no problem going out-of-state (like to the east coast schools). I'm going to stay in the US though.

So here's me on paper:
(I'm in 12th grade)

Grades:
Unweighed GPA: 4.0 (4.0 scale)
10-12 weighed: 4.75
Total weighted GPA: 4.50

Test Scores:
SAT Reasoning: 2340 (780m, 760r, 800w)

SATIIs:
Chemistry: 760
Biology M: 740
French: 670
Math Level 2: 800
US History: 780

AP scores:
Chemistry - 5
Biology - 5
French Language - 4
US History - 5
European History - 4
English Language - 4
Calculus BC - 5

AP Classes taking this year:
Statistics, Physics C-Mechanics, English Literature
10 AP classes by the time I graduate

Activities:

Piano: 11 years, planning on taking DipABRSM this fall (equivalent to the level of the first year of music conservatory)
Volunteer at Palo Alto VA Hospital during summer 2007, 125 Hours
Peer Tutor, 118.5 Hours
2 years, Apollo Music Club (teach music to underprivileged elementary school children)
4 years, MVLA Speech and Debate
Intern at the Kornberg Lab in the Stanford Biochemistry Department during summer 2006
2 years, Music Council
2 years, Glasnost Political Discussion Club
3 years, Quiz Kids
2 years, Coach in Youth Forensic League Speech and Debate at Blach Middle School
2 years, Coach of the Mathcounts team at Blach Middle School

Awards:

National Merit Semi-Finalist
National Forensic League - Degree of Honor
Distinction in all grade 1-8 ABRSM Piano exams
AP Scholar with distinction
AMC 12 top school score

Leadership Positions:

Speech and Debate: Vice-President (12), Secretary (11)
Music Council: Treasurer (11,12)
Apollo Music Club: Secretary-Treasurer (12)
Glasnost Political Discussions Club: Co-President (12)

---------------------
So that's me on paper... Where do you think I should apply, and my chances of getting in?

Thraklight Resonance September 12 2007 8:45 PM EDT

Faber College is always looking for a few good men, but I think you're overqualified for that school.

QBBast [Hidden Agenda] September 12 2007 8:46 PM EDT

What do you want to be when you grow up? Do you need a small school? Party school? Mormon school? Boys-only school? Big Greek life? ROTC? Lacrosse team? Urban setting? Big 10? There's more to it than who will take you -- where do you want to go?

QBRanger September 12 2007 8:48 PM EDT

A lot depends on what you plan to do with the rest of your life.

What do you plan to major in?

Do you plan to go to graduate school?

Do you prefer a large school where you can remain anonymous or a smaller more intimate location where you can get to know your professors?

I would however suggest all the Ivy League schools as well as the UC system as they are quite well regarded all over the country.

[P]Mitt September 12 2007 9:14 PM EDT

I'm thinking of going pre-med, with med school in the future.

2 more schools that caught my eye included Northwestern and Brown (both have 7/8 year combined undergrad-med school programs where you don't need to take MCATs, but are extremely hard to get into.

[P]Mitt September 12 2007 9:16 PM EDT

Sorry about the double post...

I want to go to the best school for the best education I can get into.

I would prefer not to attend a big city school (like columbia), but that's counterintuitive as I'm applying to Berkeley and UCLA.

Size of the school for the most part doesn't matter, but I would not like an itsy-bitsy school like the claremont colleges or Caltech - too tiny.

SNK3R September 12 2007 9:21 PM EDT

Check into the city. Make sure you like it.

I got accepted to UC Berkeley, but decided not to go because of the city itself. You're going to be living there for 4 years or more, so be sure you like the area.

ScY September 12 2007 9:59 PM EDT

Personally, my only chances of getting into an Ivy League school is through soccer. I have very good grades, but I don't quite have true Ivy League 4.0 unweighted (didn't even take the SATs yet). I am in my junior year and I have an idea of the colleges I would like to go to -- Liberal Arts in a City with a small Division 1 soccer program.

As SNK said, there is more than just the what school will take me approach. You should see what YOU want before you apply to a school/

Mem September 12 2007 11:49 PM EDT

MIT currently offers all of their courses online, though you don't get credit for completing them unless you are enrolled in the school. At the least it'd be an interesting way to check out the curriculum, and see if it's up to your standards.

It certainly looks like you need to spice things up a bit, though. That's an impressive list, but have you had any time to experience high school? I find myself wishing I was back there at least one a week. And it wasn't for the classes!

Now, I'm not advocating you going to college and just partying the whole time, but it doesn't hurt to live a little. Go somewhere that's not necessarily known for being a party school, but also somewhere that doesn't have a reputation for being strictly studies. Ivy league schools will get you money, but money can never buy happiness.

deifeln September 13 2007 3:04 PM EDT

Look into small Liberal Arts schools like Kenyon College in OH.

NSFY September 13 2007 3:35 PM EDT

I have a theory that someone as intelligent as you will be successful in life no matter where they go to school. Why don't you attend Stinkwater Community College and we will see how this plays out.

Tezmac September 13 2007 3:41 PM EDT

Look at the top 20 schools for your desired major. Cross off the ones that are places you don't want to live. Apply to the rest, go to the one that offers you the most in scholarship money. You'll get lots of offers based on the credentials you provided.

sooka September 13 2007 7:12 PM EDT

Go to Vet School ... animals are much more fun than people!! >;)

toitle September 14 2007 11:08 AM EDT

along the same lines and Mem, the best advice my dad gave me when I was headed off to college..."Don't let school get in the way of your education"

Which College? (in Off-topic)