Chance Me? (Columbia, Penn, Brown, Hopkins, Vanderbilt, Rice, WashU, USC, and more)

You seem like the typical Asian applicant who applies to Ivies (plays an instrument, has 2400 SATs, good at Math), which might (unfortunately) work against you in the admissions process. I’ve seen a lot of people, especially on CC, with perfect SAT scores get rejected from Ivies—so make sure you put some safeties on your college list. I noticed that you listed UVa, UMichigan, NYU, BU, and NEU on your college list. Do you consider these safeties?

-By the way, which state do you live in? Whether you are an in-state applicant for Virginia, Michigan, and UNC Chapel Hill really matters.

-Why don’t you consider applying to MIT, Stanford, and Carnegie Mellon? To my knowledge, these schools have the best computer science programs in the United States and I don’t see any reason why you would refrain from applying. Also Texas A&M: http://grad-schools.usnews.rankingsandreviews.com/best-graduate-schools/top-science-schools/computer-science-rankings

-While you have a great GPA, are very involved in extracurriculars, and have a perfect SAT, be mindful of the fact that there are probably thousands of other applicants who are as academically strong as you applying to those schools on your list. Therefore, I cannot stress it enough—make sure you distinguish yourself, and let your distinct personality and interests really shine through your Common App essays and supplementals. Also, don’t procrastinate like I did…make sure that you have someone who you can trust to proof read your writing and to make constructive critiques (even though it might annoy you). It will give you a better essay.

-Perhaps focus on your music when you’re writing your personal essay, and how it impacts your chosen course of study; from what I can tell, it plays a huge part on your life.

Here are your chances:
Columbia: mid-reach
Penn: high reach
Brown: mid-reach to high reach
Johns Hopkins: Match/low reach
Rice: Match
USC: Match
WashU: Match/low reach (word of advice, MAKE sure you show demonstrated interest by doing an interview, applying to their scholarships, it matters for them from personal experience)
UVa: match
Chapel Hill: match
Michigan: safety/match
NYU:match
BU:safety
NEU:safety