<p>Thank you again zephyr, your advice seems half calming, half a reality check! I’ll check out that link. And I have already done much research on Reed/Amherst, which is why I was so surprised how much higher the standards on CC seem to be. I’m afraid Reed is my safety school for now… perhaps I should find a different school for a safety. I suppose I am assuming if I apply to 4-5 schools I wish to attend, Reed being as early decision as possible, I will get accepted somewhere.</p>