Okay. The first thing I will say is this. Go Bernie! Now for your schools. You are probably not getting into any of your “schools you like, but are a huge reach” because of your grades and sat score. It will be more than a huge reach to get into any of those. Now, as for your other schools, I can chance you on NYU, BC, BU, American, and GWU. Your SAT score is low, quite low for NYU and BC, low for BU, and on par with American and GWU. To be competitive for NYU and BC, I recommend getting it up to 2150+ (2200/2250+ for Stern Business if that is what you wanted), for BU (2050/2100+). Your grades are rather weak in my opinion, as well as your class rank. If NYU is really your first choice , I would recommend applying Early Decision 2, so that you have the opportunity to improve your grades and scores and still demonstrate interest. Your course load is weak. Your work experience is not bad. I highly suggest playing up the Amnesty International thing you do. Your ec’s are actually decent in my opinion. I recommend highlighting your experience in political science/international relations in your ec’s because that will demonstrate to colleges that you have a legitimate interest in what you wish to pursue. Your recs sound okay. Really write great essays and I think you may have a shot at some of these schools. As for your chances: NYU - could be anywhere from a high match to reach (this is dependent upon whether you raise your grades, test scores, how well you write your essays, and also whether you decide to apply ED2 (I highly recommend not applying ED1)), BC - Same as NYU (maybe a little harder with no ED), BU - could be anywhere from match to low reach, American - low match/match, GWU - match/high match. Please chance me back! http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/what-my-chances/1796275-what-do-you-think-of-my-chances-are-at-these-universities.html#latest Good luck!