Here is the thread to her story.
@CU123 thanks so much for linking the thread! I actually recently started looking into UChicago (and find their curriculum exciting) so the thread is very interesting.
There is an inconsistency between your stellar GPA and SAT math score, so may I ask, how have you been preparing for the SAT math test? Especially for math, I think practicing with physical copies of tests is far superior to doing it online. This might be helpful: get copies of the practice tests; find a quiet room in the library or school (but not in the comfort of your home or a cafe); set a timer; do the tests without interruption. Our brains do adapt very quickly (even in a few days); you can do it, good luck.
These schools are also not known for generous FA.
You will probably earn Bright Futures and that is a big help. When my kids were applying to local scholarships, almost all had to be used in Florida. Your best FA is going to be in Florida.
If you need generous financial aid, these schools probably won’t fill the bill.
I agree…look into some test optional schools that meet full need. U of Chicago is one, but I believe Bates and Bowdoin also are test optional and meet full need.
@tgl2023 I despise math (the only Bs ive ever gotten were in Pre-Calculus and Physics, and that took away my 4.0–there’s bad blood between me and math) so I definitely struggle sticking to prep! I used to only prep through Khan Academy but I’ve been using the Barron’s SAT book and doing more practice tests. ■■■■■■■ also goes through the practice tests question by question so I’m gonna start using that for when I take it in December!
Thanks for the advice 
@twoinanddone I’m very aware that my best FA is going to be in Florida, but I really don’t like any Florida colleges for a multitude of reasons. (They’re all my safeties in case nothing else works out) That’s exactly why I’ve been trying to look at out of state colleges with FA comparable to Ivy League.
Also, I think college is a chance to really step out of your comfort zone and I WANT that experience of going out of state. I’m very independent so I think the experience would be good to grow as a person, etc etc.
So, yeah. Obviously I’d be getting more FA in my home state but that’s not a path I want to pursue. I’ll only be staying here if I can’t afford anywhere else, and I’d be pretty upset about that lmao
@thumper1 Yeah, all the art schools were on my list bc they were where I wanted to go in my sophomore year, and back then I wasn’t as conscious about financial aid ? I literally removed them all from my common app yesterday actually lol
Wesleyan, btw, has a great writing program. Look at it. It’s need aware (but as a safety net for them, they still admit a huge percent without regard to need.) And “meet full need.”
Your scores are lower, but as said above, it’s test optional.
The best TO colleges are still among the best colleges. One trick is to get to know a school so well you can self match and present what they look for, beyond scores.
The Ivies and other tippy tops are just so burdened by the volume of all-around top performers, that the slightest issues with an app can be trouble.
With further research, you should be able to find some great college options for creative writing and other literary pursuits. These articles could provide you with a few ideas:
https://contently.net/2014/11/06/resources/tools/training/10-best-colleges-creative-writers/
https://www.flavorwire.com/409437/the-25-most-literary-colleges-in-america
This resource can help you estimate costs for some schools with particularly strong financial aid programs: https://myintuition.org/. You’ll see a few test optional and text flexible colleges included.
As one suggestion, look into Kenyon.
“but I really don’t like any Florida colleges for a multitude of reasons.”
That’s fine but then you may need to change your list to just have a couple of FL schools as safeties and more matches out of state, as others have suggested, in addition to the reaches. you’re considering. That may be a more balanced list. When you said ethnicity, I’m assuming that indicates URM, so that will help.
The OP already indicated she is applying to 3 or 4 in-state Florida colleges as her safeties:
A person can only attend one college. Assuming the safeties are true safeties (admission virtually guaranteed and known to be affordable) – then there’s no particular value in adding more.
The lower SAT scores reduce the chances of substantial merit money at private colleges, so the combination of in-state safeties with high reaches at schools known for generous need-based aid is logical – even though the most likely result will be that the student ends up at a safety. But there really is no value in the student getting accepted to a desirable private school that she can’t afford to attend - so she’s right to take a hard look at affordability.
How is University of Miami a safety? It’s a private university with a high price tag.
@thumper1 lol UM isn’t a safety for me, it’s a match 
and I’m applying to the full scholarships too. FIU and FSU are my safeties.
So while I think everyone should apply to reach schools, I question if Columbia and Brown might be better reach schools for you to apply to than Harvard and Stanford for creative writing. A quick google of the best schools for creative writing doesn’t list Harvard or Stanford. (I think its actually University of Iowa but that might be a graduate program) Also look at Emory, Oberlin and Northwestern for excellent creative writing programs.
Hey y’all, wanted to update you on my SAT score… in October I unfortunately only went up to a 1350, 760 reading 590 math ? I’m really disappointed because I did all my prep in math and yet didn’t go up at all. I guess I’m going to be taking it for a fourth time in December…
Been trying to really focus on my ECs to make up for the bad SAT but this is so discouraging. This stupid test doesn’t represent my academic strength at all, and yet I know I won’t have a chance because of it. Ughhhh.
Have you thought of getting an SAT math tutor? I have to think you have not.
Look. My D was brilliant at everything – but not math. Took the SAT [no prep] as a tween for a gifted program application. The math score was 100 points lower than the verbal. Took it again a year later and similar results [each up about 50 points].
PSAT was better [99th percentile reading & writing/96th percentile math]. She had a fantastic math teacher in middle school.
Practice scores on the SAT were 800 reading & writing and 680 math. Got her a tutor who concentrated on the PROCESS for dealing with the math questions. Final scores: 800 Reading 800 Writing 770 Math. I’m not saying that this works for everyone, but it did for her.
@AboutTheSame I have considered getting a tutor, but it’s so expensive… and I essentially only have a month for the December test so I wonder if it’d be effective and worth the money.
Plus I’m an independent learner and skeptical of most tutors, so it’s not something I’m eager to do, but maybe I do need it. I’d just need to find a tutor who’d actually teach me how to do math instead of throwing practice tests at me ?