<p>I have 11 colleges on my list as of now. These colleges are:</p>
<p>Reach:
New York University (#1 Dream School)
Brown University
Columbia University
Vassar College
Wesleyan University</p>
<p>Match
Emerson College
Boston University
RISD
Pratt</p>
<p>Probably
Hampshire College
Plymouth State University</p>
<p>Yes, The sorting might seem a little odd to you, but after doing research about each college's admission process, the way I have the colleges sorted above is correct in correlation with my stats, etc.</p>
<p>Obviously I have too many reach schools. Too many schools in general. I want to delete an Ivy, but I can't choose between Brown or Columbia (I think I like Brown better, but Columbia's location works much better for me.) I also want to delete one or two other schools, narrowing my list down to 9 or 10. </p>
<p>Unfortunately, my problem is that the only schools I want to go to are schools that, on paper, are somewhat 'out of my league', so to speak. To be honest, I really do not want to go to either of my 'Probably' schools.</p>
<p>My intended major is Film Studies/ Film Production.</p>
<p>Eliminate whichever Ivy would be harder to get into (probably Columbia? Unless Brown’s film studies department is stronger, but I’m not familiar with your major).</p>
<p>If NYU is your #1 dream school, and if admissions (not aid) is the key decision, then you could eliminate any of your other reaches. They are all more selective than NYU.</p>
<p>Then your probables are not real safeties for you. A good safety is a school that you would be happy to attend (or at least willing, in the sense of NOT “do not want to go to”).</p>
<p>In addition to cutting back on at least a couple of the reaches, you need to spend a lot more time selecting your “probables” and get at least one school on that list that you would like to attend that your parents can afford to send you to. You don’t want to be in the position next April of being forced (either by admission decisions or by finances) to attend a school that you already know you don’t want to go to.</p>
<p>Selecting “reach” and “dream” schools is the easy part. Selecting quality low match and safeties that are special enough for you to be happy to go to is an art that is clearly undervalued by the students on CC.</p>
<p>Agree with tk, if you don’t get into NYU you have no chance at the other reaches, so if it’s your top choice and you can afford it, drop the ivies.</p>
<p>Your list seems pretty varied in terms of size (NYU and Hampshire?) You might want to think about which you prefer, that might help you narrow things down.</p>