<p>From looking at your posts, it looks like your “pitch” can be your down-the-road goal of Doctors Without Borders, since your varied interests (IR, medicine, French) seem to converge in this one interest. Otherwise, your ecs come off a little scattered; you say you want to major in IR or politics, and later you say you want to be a doctor one day. If you present both of these as “of a piece”, as connected logically in your goals, you will improve your admissions chances. I am a BIG believer in putting more effort into your application and conveying a whole person the admissions officers can latch onto rather than spinning wheels retaking tests for a push of one or two points, or working yourself to the ground to get some leadership slot in a club/ captain of team.</p>
<p>BTW, being the only one taking French 5 next year… is this because you’re the only one qualified? If so, impressive!</p>
<p>And for your own sake, put aside the “what am I doing wrong?” thinking. There really is no “right” or “wrong” in college admissions these days. If it were this cut and dry, CC wouldn’t exist. We simply make the best estimations we can based on prior knowledge and available information. I think you’ve done this reasonably well as far as your college choices are concerned.</p>
<p>And to think that there are only one or two schools where you can be “truly happy” is probably an exaggeration. There are probably a dozen schools where you’d be happy, truly. If you go into the process with this attitude, then the ups and downs of acceptance/ rejection will be easier to tolerate. </p>