Am I being completely unrealistic with this list? Help with safeties/targets?

<p>Bengali-American here, I have a 3.9 gpa, I'm in and out of the top 10% but I'm really close and I should have great grades for first quarter (and my grade is one of the more competitive our school has seen), graduating with 7 APs, Editor-in-Chief of my school newspaper and literary magazine, founder and President of our Amnesty International (I've organized a couple of large fundraisers and stuff), play violin and guitar, varsity fencing for 3 years, 30 ACT (I took it again yesterday and I think it was higher; last time it was 34/32/31/23 in reading, writing, math, and science respectively and i'm pretty positive i brought it up), and more...</p>

<p>I'm doing early decision to Wesleyan
and my other schools are:
Vassar
Colgate
Bard (EA)
SUNY Geneseo (in state)
Skidmore
Brandeis
NYU
Sarah Lawrence</p>

<p>Please be honest and tell me if I'm being too ambitious... my essays and recs should be great, and I kept very, very busy over the past two summers.</p>

<p>I really appreciate anyone's help, thanks in advance!</p>

<p>Edit: Excuse the grammar issues haha, I'm posting this while trying to avoid massive piles of homework so my brain is a little fried. :)</p>

<p>I am also having trouble with my list…but it looks well balanced to me! You have some great ECs…i am also EIC of my school paper! </p>

<p>Good luck =)</p>

<p>Thank you fellow editor, good luck to you as well! :)</p>

<p>This is just a reassurance topic, TC obviously knows he’s being realistic.</p>

<p>I assure you this is not for reassurance haha, my entire family thinks I’m gonna get screwed over.
Oh, and I just realized that I didn’t say the 3.9 is weighted which is also why I have to agree with my family that I’m a tad ****ed…
I’ll edit the gpa part now…</p>

<p>Edit: …okay, apparently I can’t edit it. Let it be noted here that I have a 3.9 weighted gpa, hahah.</p>

<p>What is your UW GPA? Many colleges will reweight the scores themselves.</p>

<p>They don’t tell us, but my unweighted GPA is around a 3.5 I think. Perhaps a little higher, but that’s my best estimate.
BTW, my first choice has always been Swarthmore, but seeing as I have no chance, I decided on ED to my second (Wes). My guidance is against that decision, any input would be appreciated. :/</p>

<p>Don’t do ED to a school you’re not in love with. If Swat really is your first choice, do ED there! Getting rejected and not being able to go is the worst that could happen. I don’t even see Swat on your list now, so not being able to go because you didn’t apply and not being able to go because you got rejected really just leave you with…not being able to go. GO ED TO SWAT IF YOU REALLY WANT GO TO THERE! At least apply regular decision. Shutting yourself out of the possibility of going where you really want to go just because you’re afraid of rejection is foolish.</p>

<p>Just apply where you want to go and think you would be happy. Don’t be so insecure! I think you have a shot at Wes and Swat and anywhere else on your list. Just write great essays and represent yourself well in your application. And cheer up, colleges aren’t trying to screw you over. Trust me, with that list, you’re probably going to be deciding between several offers of schools that would love to have you.</p>

<p>If money is an issue, you should apply to one my SUNY school. SUNY Binghamton and SUNY Geneseo are not safeties for any one with current economic situation.</p>

<p>Yes, I’d love to have more safeties. I haven’t found any other SUNYs that have what I’m looking for (strong English dept., Gov/Pol, History, etc., small classes, politically active atmosphere). Any recommended SUNYs for my interests?</p>

<p>Thank you raelah. I know it sounds foolish, but my logic was if I know I won’t get in, I don’t even need to go through the rejection and all the inevitable sadness/regret. Also, I fear my chances at Wes are slim as well, and if I don’t maximize my early decision there, then I’m going to get rejected everywhere.
I hope that’s not irrational haha, it really does make sense in my head. I’m not usually this pessimistic, but CC sure is a downer…
I really appreciate your input though, thank you again!</p>

<p>Maybe SUNY New Paltz? Less than 50% selected but your grades and scores match up well.</p>

<p>I second SUNY New Paltz…it has what you’re looking for.</p>