Am i shooting too high for my own good?>

<p>Cornell University- Rejected (SATS!!!)
University of Pennsylvania- Rejected
Washington University in St. Louis- Accepted
U.C. Berkeley- Rejected
University of Michigan-Accepted
University of Southern California (USC)- Accepted
U.C. Los Angeles- Accepted
New York University- Accepted
University of Oregon- Accetped w/ Money</p>

<p>You just have to realize that you are talking about several of the most selective colleges in the country and therefore the likelihood of acceptance for you unless you are in-state is substantially below 50%. Therefore they must be considered "reaches". That doesn't mean you shouldn't necessarily apply. But you are making a common and very large mistake by focusing on your "dream" colleges where the likelihood of acceptance is low rather than finding other colleges that you would enjoy, be a good match for you in personality and academics, allow you to grow as a person and be successful in a career, yet have a lower selectivity so you are likely to be rewarded with an acceptance. Kids on CC tend to think that only the most elite colleges offer this and going to a school even a bit lower in selectivity and prestige is a failure. Thinking like that is a mistake. There are plenty of somewhat less selective schools that will be great for you; you just need to spend the time to find them.</p>

<p>collegedad is right, they aren't for everyone and you don't fit. its okay, not the end of the world--VERY FEW PEOPLE BELONG!</p>