<p>Alright, there are a few things I’d like to add to what’s being said:</p>
<p>Most universities on your short list are reaches for everyone, save for a kid whose parents donates a million-dollar science wing. That being said, they are reaches for you too - not being you are a weak applicant by any means, but because that’s just the way that it is nowadays. College acceptance rates drop every year it seems like. Hell, the school I’m going to start attending this fall dropped another 2% down from the year previous.</p>
<p>Colleges don’t usually like the ‘quantity over quality’ mantra, in any aspect of an application. It would have been better for you to have taken fewer AP’s. However, I think overall, taking that many can sometimes be a positive. Course rigor, to some universities, is even MORE important than grade-grubbing over what you got in them. It’s apparent to me that you’ve challenged yourself and succeeded, which will also be apparent to an admissions board. I would send in your best scores initially, and add those later on that may get you more credit for courses at whatever school you decide on.</p>
<p>I think it’s great that your accomplishments are geared towards your goal (political science). If you had achievements all over the place, it would seem like a laundry list. Your leadership is what will get you into the more selective schools, highlight your leadership, just make sure you can corroborate with references if need be.</p>
<p>Your GPA/Rank are good enough to get into any school in the nation, including Stanford. However, a perfect GPA does not equal an acceptance. Put it this way; everyone applying to some of these schools has an equivalent or better GPA than you - so what makes you stand out? Focus on the subjective, that’s where your edge will lie. All that grades prove is that you’re academically competent and that you can do well in university courses - which I believe you can do.</p>
<p>I like your essay topic. Although, I might stress that it could be too esoteric for an admissions officer to relate. Sure, you could have someone who knows reading it, but that’s a gamble I’m not sure I would take. Again, take everything I say with a grain of salt. My only caution is that you weave in your accomplishments and goals to create a compelling narrative. It’s great you’re starting on your essays now.</p>
<p>Overall, I think you are a strong applicant who will most assuredly get into at least a handful of the schools you listed:</p>
<p>Berkeley - Match
Georgetown - Low Reach
Cornell - Low Reach
Harvard - High Reach
Yale - High Reach
Princeton - High Reach
Stanford - High Reach</p>
<p>One last thing I’d like to emphasize is institutional fit. You need to make the school know why you’re applying there. Research and find that school’s quirks and idiosyncrasies, the more you can show how great of a student you’d be at that school, the more the board will want to actualize your dream.</p>
<p>Good luck with your application. Just comment back if you have any questions/comments.</p>
<p>PS: I’m not going to proofread, so I apologize for any mistakes. </p>