Am I being realistic?

<p>Alright, I'm an upcoming senior. Here are my details and below are the schools I'm considering.</p>

<p>SAT (will retake in Oct.) = 1930
Math: 630
Reading: 610
Writing: 690
Essay: 10</p>

<p>9th/10th - Went to private school in New Mexico with As and Bs
11th - went to small school in RURAL San Juan Islands in Washington state, took AP Eng & did independent study of photography(created my own darkroom). Mostly As. (very few AP classes offered)
12th - first semester I'm going to an art intensive boarding school in CA, equivalent of study abroad. </p>

<p>ECs - started Equestrian Club @ school in NM, photographer for yearbook, Biology club, volunteered for animal shelter, volunteered to for therapeutic horseback riding. I also have 5 horses that i ride and compete with EXTENSIVELY. </p>

<p>Awards - Top 10 in NM for National French Contest for 2 yrs, my photograph was selected to be displayed in the Albuquerque Museum. </p>

<p>So far I'm looking at:
Barnard - reach!
Colorado College
Guilford
Hampshire
Kenyon
Macalester
Oberlin (my dad went)
Univ. of Mary Washington
Univ. of Washington
maybe Bard or Skidmore?
Should I cross anything off?</p>

<p>Since you ride horses, definitely consider Skidmore. I wouldn't consider going to Mary Washington from out of state personally, but maybe William & Mary instead (as a reach). I don't think Barnard is a huge reach, and if it's your first choice consider applying Early Decision.</p>

<p>You seem like a very interesting person -- not your average applicant. I think you've got a real shot at Barnard, Kenyon, Oberlin and Macalester -- which are the most difficult on your list. Have you thought about Vassar or Sarah Lawrence? What interests you?</p>

<p>Smith has stables and a horse program</p>

<p>The reason why I was looking at Mary Washington was because of the riding program - when I visited it, I wasn't very impressed with the "feel" of the campus, but the riding facilities were beautiful. I had thought about Sarah Lawrence, but the male/female ratio is a litte low for me (haha!), and I think the only reason I hadn't put Vassar on the list was because I don't know much about it...bad excuse! Smith is appealing and GORGEOUS, but the barns weren't that nice. Also, I feel like being at an all girls school in NYC (Barnard) wouldn't be the same as at Smith because it's (somewhat) isolated... maybe I'm wrong...</p>

<p>The only reason I was thinking it would be hard to get into some of those is because of my grades! I DO have a few B's, which is what I'm worried about. I just hope that being from NM/WA will help me stand out, instead of striaght As and 2400 SATs. Thanks for the imput so far.</p>

<p>How important is riding? UConn has national champ women's polo team, offers a minor in therapeutic riding, beautiful barns, etc...good school, rural atmosphere..but it is a lot larger than say Smith...</p>

<p>Riding isn't SUPER important, but I've been riding my whole life, so I want to ride every once in a while at the least. I don't care if the riding teams are club vs. varsity. I do however, KNOW, that I don't want to major in any riding/horse related field! My sister told me I might not like the atmosphere at UConn, but I'll check it out.</p>

<p>university of washington seems so different from all of the other schools on your list! it's a huge school, though it is in a lovely place (i can say that living five minutes away from campus). what made you choose it?</p>

<p>i do think your list looks good and you have a nice range of schools.</p>

<p>I just have University of Washington on my list as a safety, and because in state tuition is so cheap. My parents just want me to keep that open as an option.</p>