<p>I'm a white jewish female from nyc. am an immigrant but have lived here for... 16 years? something like that. bilingual and studying spanish, hopefully french too by the end of h.s. I plan on double majoring in poly sci, and perhaps a language or gender studies.</p>
<p>I have a 92 right now, hopefully 94-ish by the time i apply. I have taken challenging courses and am taking 4 APs next year, and a similar amount senior year. I go to an elite public hs, and am in the top 10% or so of the graduating class but school doesn't rank. my sat is 2130, but will probably retake it [writing screwed me over somehow.. and can easily bring math up 50 pts]. expecting SAT 2's to be in the mid to upper 700 range. My ECs are pretty impressive, a couple of leadership positions in activities i'm very dedicated to, volunteer work, work for several non-profits, etc. Spending this summer working for social justice in nyc in an org. with... lets just say "impressive" connections [pulitzer prize winners, professors at several colleges i'm applying to, etc.]. I'll probably write about this experience for an essay. My essays and teacher recs will probably be spectacular. Oh, i've also been taking various dance classes since age 4.</p>
<p>I'm looking at 13 colleges right now, that hopefully range nicely from reaches to matches to safeties. Ideally, I'd like a school with a lefty leaning student body, and definitely one that is politically active. The school shoud also be queer friendly and have a nice progressive jewish community.</p>
<p>The colleges i'm really interested in currently are:
American-
Barnard-
Boston U-
Brandeis-
Brown-
Columbia-
George Washington-
Georgetown-
Mount Holyoke-
NYU-
U Chicago-
Wellesley-
Wesleyen-</p>
<p>Any suggestions on how good a fit these are? Any other match school suggestions? Any comments in general?</p>
<p>Oh, and could you please rank these in reach-match-safety terms?</p>
<p>Barnard, BU, Brandeis, George Washington, NYU, Wellesley-- Match</p>
<p>American, Mount Holyoke-- Safety</p>
<p>The only school I can speak with real authority on is UChicago (I'm a current student there), and it doesn't sound like it's the right place for you. Chicago is very brainy and for kids who are extremely academically motivated, even if not necessarily the highest performers in high school. You seem to be academically motivated, but more passionate about the world around you, which is fine, but most Chicago students have their priorities in academics first and other issues next.</p>
<p>Also, Chicago is not what I think you might consider "progressive." Though it has made considerable progress on certain issues like gender-neutral housing (very in favor) and the gay community is very much accepted (though not very vocal), a Wesleyan or Brown kid might be dismayed by our anti-anti-Coke activism or the fact that many students come from politically conservative families and consider themselves economically conservative. There is a Jewish population here, but it's nothing like what you have available on the east coast.</p>
<p>If you're looking to swap out Chicago with another school, my suggestions would be Tufts, Haverford/Bryn Mawr, or Northwestern.</p>
<p>I don't think Georgetown is a good fit. Try Clark U. in Worcester, Mass. Michigan and Wisconsin would be good if you don't mind a bigger school. How about Vassar and Smith?</p>
<p>unalove: Thanks, that about how i pegged them in my list. As for UChicago, I guess I'll kick it off and replace it by Northwestern.</p>
<p>Tourguide: I'm going to visit Georgetown later this year because I'm also haveing doubts about it. Also, i was really considering UMich, but i think it may just be too large. As for Vassar, I was never really into it, and from what i've heard Smith is too sciency... or maybe i'm wrong? Other than the science thing, Smith seems good to me.</p>
<p>It's a lower reach then some on your list, but I'd still call it a reach for you (as it was for me, and I still got in!), if a low one. At best a high match.</p>