Please critique this list for junior

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:B+/A- student in primarily honors/AP classes (though not in math). 1300 PSAT. Co-founded student hunger charity that has since spread to other towns. Captain of track team. Student council co-president for grade. Wants to major in politics/government. Strong interest in political organizing. Wants a small, politically active college.

Choices in order of reach
Wesleyan
Wellesley
Mount Holyoke
Sarah Lawrence
Reed
Lewis & Clark

What else? Did not like the vibe at Smith College, also considering Pitzer but have heard mixed things about livability.

These stats are too low for Pitzer or Reed.

[Anonymous]

For a more "likely" school, Willamette is right next to the Oregon state capitol, so there are a lot of opportunities to get involved: https://willamette.edu/academics/college/politics/

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:B+/A- student in primarily honors/AP classes (though not in math). 1300 PSAT. Co-founded student hunger charity that has since spread to other towns. Captain of track team. Student council co-president for grade. Wants to major in politics/government. Strong interest in political organizing. Wants a small, politically active college.

Choices in order of reach
Wesleyan
Wellesley
Mount Holyoke
Sarah Lawrence
Reed
Lewis & Clark

What else? Did not like the vibe at Smith College, also considering Pitzer but have heard mixed things about livability.

Is this private or public? DC Area? If this is DC area, I'd so no to Wesleyan and Wellesley. These are small schools some of who fill a good part of the class ED. I'd pick one to ED to.

[Anonymous]

I think Pitzer would be perfect for her - and it would allow her to take classes at the rest of the consortium, including Claremont McKenna which is particularly strong for politics/government. My dd loved Pomona and almost went there. Also Pitzer is an easier admit than Pomona, CM and Harvey Mudd.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Wesleyan doesn’t like B’s. My DC child similar stats didn’t make it through the preread with a couple of B’s.

Mine was admitted RD with a couple Bs. Just for reference. I agree that Wes is a far reach for OP.

OP, how about. Bard or Skidmore?

[Anonymous]

What about Dickinson?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:What about Dickinson?

Yep, I was going to say that this kid sounds good for the Pennsylvania LACs. Dickinson or Lafayette (maybe slight reach), Ursinus (maybe slight safety), Muhlenberg

[Anonymous]

These attributes are absolutely perfect for

Pitzer College.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:What about Dickinson?

This was my first thought as well. Seems like Dickinson could be a great fit!

[Anonymous]

Is your DD is in the top 10%? I'd worry less about people's grade concerns if she were.

Also, a cold 1300 PSAT isn't bad at all. With some effort, your DC should be able to push that into the 1400's or even 1500's.

Anyhow, given the schools that you've mentioned, I'd also recommend Scripps. It's such a nice campus and the 5C Consortium allows a good balance of the advantages of a women's college with many coed opportunities. My DD goes to Pomona and has many Scripps friends. Pitzer is pretty cool too. I've heard that Pitzer has a somewhat unorthodox approach to admissions, so do your research before applying.

I also think Macalester is a gem.

Maybe consider Skidmore?

[Anonymous]

Occidental (in Los Angeles)?

[Anonymous]

Vassar EDI

[Anonymous]

Scripps

[Anonymous]

OP you really need to share whether she's at a public or private and what the specific GPA is (both weighted and unweighted.) Otherwise everyone is guesstimating here.

Also does cost matter? Area of the country? When you say politically active, do you mean progressive?

Fwiw I agree with PPs that Wes is out of reach. Look at their common data set if you don't have Naviance.

I have a 2022 HS grad w/OK test scores (32 ACT) and 4.5w/3.8uwGPA, wanting major in social sciences. Got into both Reed and Lewis & Clark via EA apps; he was offered a lot of money at Lewis & Clark. We really liked Macalester but he had to pull his EA app because he got into another Northeast SLAC ED. Mac has become much more competitive in recent years.

If politics is a serious interest then you should consider GW and AU; internship access year round is a big plus.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:B+/A- student in primarily honors/AP classes (though not in math). 1300 PSAT. Co-founded student hunger charity that has since spread to other towns. Captain of track team. Student council co-president for grade. Wants to major in politics/government. Strong interest in political organizing. Wants a small, politically active college.

Choices in order of reach
Wesleyan
Wellesley
Mount Holyoke
Sarah Lawrence
Reed
Lewis & Clark

What else? Did not like the vibe at Smith College, also considering Pitzer but have heard mixed things about livability.

B+/A- seems pretty low. Is this private? Where in class? Think you are ranking Reed too low; they might think kid can’t handle the intense work.
Wesleyan and Wellesley? Would not recommend, even for ED. Without knowing more, would go with Mount Holyoke ED1…

Agree. My kid had a similar profile, leadership in arts and sports, academic awards, 1470 SAT at a very rigorous private with no grade inflation, and Wesleyan and Wellesley both were not in the ballpark per CC.