I’ll be applying to several colleges this year, but I’m pretty sure my chances aren’t that good.
I’m 18 years old and from Germany, and the Colleges on my list are:
BU, Brown, Cornell, Emory, George Washington, NYU, Northwestern, Princeton, Stanford, USC and UMich.
Since I’m from Germany, I can’t really tell my GPA (I think it’s about 3.9, but I’m not sure). I’ll receive my SAT scores next week, I’ll probably have ~2000… My extracurricular activities are very good, my teacher recommendations too. I won’t be applying for financial aid (does that make a difference?), and I want to major in political science.
Can anybody recommend me some safer colleges? I’m really not sure about my current choices…
What’s wrong with the schools in Germany? Aren’t they super good and free to citizens? That’s what my German teacher says…
Villanova is pretty good, but if you’re not religious (specifically Catholic), it won’t be a good fit.
Well German schools are good, but if I study abroad, I can stand out from the crowd when it comes to applying for jobs… Also I don’t want to live all my life in Germany, I want to come around a bit. 
I’m not really religious, although I’m interested in learning about different religions.
Are there any other (non-religious) schools you can recommend? I don’t only want to make ranking-based decisions.
Is it true that it’s harder for international students to get into public universities?
Much harder. You’re almost on track for BU and GW. USC and NYU will be reaches. You’re not qualified enough for the others. Your SAT score is too low.
@kfromgermany: the fact you’re full pay will help at all of those except Princeton and UMich.
Are you applying undecided or will you apply for a major? Will you apply to Honors Colleges where there are some?
Since you don’t need financial aid, you have lots of good choices.
You could apply to UF and FSU and their respective Honors College, plus perhaps ASU Barrett, Cal Poly SLO (if you’re into STEM or business) or SDSU (if you’re not) or, if money truly is no issue, UCSC, UCD, or UCSB.
Apply to Penn State before Nov 30 and you’re quasi sure to get in (but their Honors College is super hard to get into, about 8% admission, and they only use course rigor + essays + EC’s so your test scores would be of no use.) Same thing for UMinnesota, not sure about their Honors College for you though.
Academically strong colleges where you have a good shot include St Olaf, Denison, Dickinson, Rhodes, Skidmore, Fordham, Syracuse, Connecticut College.
Colleges that are way stronger academically than their ranking would suggest and where you’re 99% sure to get in due to curriculum rigor + intellectual curiosity (to be displayed in essays) + international full pay are Wooster, Kalamazoo, Hendrix, Beloit, Agnes Scott (if you’re a girl), SUNY Geneseo.
In will apply for a major in political science.
I want to avoid applying for state universities, as internationals’ chances aren’t very good there, right?
Chances for international students are good everywhere if you are full pay student.
State universities LOVE full pay internationals. And some offer merit scholarships that are open to them. The trick is to choose universities with good support and preferably an Honors college.
http://publicuniversityhonors.com/new-top-programs-by-category/