Just went through this process with my DC who had a 3.6 UW - based on experience,OP you are shooting way too low. Take a real look at the NESCACs and NESCAC-adjacent schools and ED to one. No harm and definitely a good shot. Apply TO if SAT stays the same.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP you are right to think that hamilton is out of this student’s league. It’s concerning that people here comment so irrationally.

Hamilton is within reach if you are full pay.

Careful - looks like both Vassar and Hamilton are need blind for domestic students.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I'll add St. Lawrence, small liberal arts, good government dept and great study abroad options and even a semester in DC program. Probably would get some good merit. My DD had slightly higher scores and got $40K per year in merit.

Can you say more about the culture of St Lawrence? It sounds great on paper, but the reviews are saying it's really having in party and drinking culture. And clique-ey. How would this school be for a quirky, outdoors-loving, gamer who is not into sports or drinking or partying?

I’m an alum so take this with a grain of salt but they have really tried to step away from the party culture, having had eliminated most of the fraternities on campus. When I was there it was populated by prep school kids who weren’t getting into an Ivy and were more outdoorsy rather than status driven. LOTS of hiking, skiiing etc. it’s very remote so not like you’re gonna be clubbing, but yea plenty of alcohol and drugs which I think you’ll find at most colleges. I found it to be laid back, in fact the stereotypical student was called a “laid back Larry” back in the day. big emphasis on study abroad, hockey and alumni are passionate.

Try the ACT. my daughter had so so SATs. Did much better on the ACT.

Try the ACT. my daughter had so so SATs. Did much better on the ACT.

Macalester, University of Richmond, St. Andrews, Tufts.

Anonymous wrote:I'll add St. Lawrence, small liberal arts, good government dept and great study abroad options and even a semester in DC program. Probably would get some good merit. My DD had slightly higher scores and got $40K per year in merit.

Can you say more about the culture of St Lawrence? It sounds great on paper, but the reviews are saying it's really having in party and drinking culture. And clique-ey. How would this school be for a quirky, outdoors-loving, gamer who is not into sports or drinking or partying?

Colby, St Olaf, Franklin&Marshall, Union

If she likes Gettysburg, she should go TO and shoot for Bucknell, especially if she's considering a career in finance or IB.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP you are right to think that hamilton is out of this student’s league. It’s concerning that people here comment so irrationally.

Hamilton is within reach if you are full pay.

+1 So is Vassar. These schools make a big deal about being need blind, but being full pay is a big plus.

A factor I could see impacting OP's daughter are athletes. Hamilton takes a lot of athletes ED like other NESCAC schools, but with her stats she should be a strong candidate especially if she is ED. Vassar is not as athlete heavy so maybe slightly better ED chances. Also it is more female at 60/40 whereas Hamilton is 55/45.

PP here. I don't know a lot about Hamilton, but that gender ratio seems a bit imbalanced for NESCAC. Williams and Amherst are 52/48. Does Hamilton want more balance or is it fine its current situation? If I had a girl, I would want to know where they stand on that.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP you are right to think that hamilton is out of this student’s league. It’s concerning that people here comment so irrationally.

Hamilton is within reach if you are full pay.

+1 So is Vassar. These schools make a big deal about being need blind, but being full pay is a big plus.

A factor I could see impacting OP's daughter are athletes. Hamilton takes a lot of athletes ED like other NESCAC schools, but with her stats she should be a strong candidate especially if she is ED. Vassar is not as athlete heavy so maybe slightly better ED chances. Also it is more female at 60/40 whereas Hamilton is 55/45.

Anonymous wrote:OP you are right to think that hamilton is out of this student’s league. It’s concerning that people here comment so irrationally.

Hamilton is within reach if you are full pay.

Do you mind sharing more about her background and ECs? If she has unique ECs, it will make her stand out for SLAC admission readers. Some SLACs are not gender balanced, but with a high GPA and APs, she will still be in the running.

Given her 4.0 UW grades, the 1310 just means she didn’t study for the test. 4.0 is AMAZING. Not a single A- ever in high school! Come on. Get her a tutor and have her study intensely. She could easily get over a 1500 on her next test.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:What does she want to study?

St Mary's College of Maryland
UMBC
Towson
Goucher
Maybe Pitt--might be a reach

Thanks!
I'd check the finances of Gettysburg before applying.

She'd like to study international relations or government.

These schools should all be safeties for this kid, especially if she applies TO. The SAT score is an outlier here. My goodness. I would have her apply TO to a range of good LACs.

This - how strong are ECs/awards/LOR and essays?
Narrative? Hook?