Chance Me NYU, Vassar, Syracuse!

I was wondering how far of a reach these schools would be and how confident you think I can be in getting into one of these schools: NYU (Gallatin), Syracuse U, and Vassar.
Also, big question, should I put track on my application or is it a waste?

Financial Aid is not an issue, so I’m luck in that respect.

I am a female Asian American, adopted, and in a very small rural state.
Intended Major: Philosophy
GPA:4.0 unweighed
ACT: hopefully 33 or more, though I might not be taking it since my test dates keep getting cancelled… :frowning:
Full IB, school doesn’t do AP
taking 7 IB classes this year including 2 IB math classes. Tested (though it was only the essay portion because of Covid) in IB Global Politics Junior year, received a 7.
Honors: Honor Roll, Social Studies Distinction, NHS, (my school doesn’t really hand out a lot of honors and I honestly just heard about big national ones this year…)
ECs:
Speech and Debate-Member since Freshman year, 3 time Academic All American, 3 time All State, 4 State top 8 finishes including State Champion in MPA. Also mentor younger students but its unofficial

MUN: member since Sophomore year, received outstanding position paper award. Wrote and defended 4 resolutions from sophomore to junior year, passed all of them in my committees and 2 in general assembly.

BPA: Competed and qualified for state with top 8 (including 1st in Prepared speech), in 8 different events (including Word, Impromptu, speech, Java, parliamentary procedure, etc), not including bubble tests. Never went to state because of scheduling conflicts

Violin: In school’s chamber orchestra. Was Concert Master Freshman year, have taken private lessons since 1st grade. Received 2 state superiors and 4 district superiors for State Music Festival. Started Youth Chamber music group after school (like 4-5 advanced players get together and learn/play chamber music)

Mock Trial: Was both plaintiff and defendant on school’s very first mock trial team. Mentored teammates who were less comfortable with public speaking. Received Outstanding Witness, placed 3rd as a team at state.

Math Tutoring: tutor elementary kids once a week in the fall my sophomore and junior year. After Covid, I created a weekly after school virtual tutoring program for advanced elementary kids who like math.

Food Bank: Regular volunteer, prepare bags, stock shelves, not much to say.

Curriculum Developer (volunteer): wrote full curriculum and organized resources for lesson plans to teach Inclusivity and Diversity in local elementary schools. Was a long writing process, and am now beginning to get my curriculum approved and implemented in schools across my region.

Social Media leader for Mask Making Nonprofit (Volunteer)- Run Social Media, event organizing, and outreach for local nonprofit. I oversee 2 other students who are also in social media. Am currently organizing a student mask-making event. Should I even put this on an application since I didn’t found the nonprofit? But I do have a leading role in it.

Track- Competed in Sprinting events, 100,200,400, Lettered.

Essays- Working on them now, Common App is done, I talk about being adopted, but do it in a way that it connects to me navigating who I am, finding my place in the world, the importance of my parents, and one of my biggest ECs. I’m not rating it since I can’t rate my own writing objectively…

Recommendations- Honestly, since I can’t read them I’m not going to have my hopes up here, while I have good teachers, I think they all write pretty generic Letters unfortunately, but they are very busy.

Any help on my chances at the mentioned schools would be great. Any advice on what I should focus on in my application as well!

You’re certainly in the range for NYU and Vassar (assuming that ACT projection is correct), though their admit rates do still mean they are likely reaches simply on a statistical basis. Anecdotally, for Gallatin, your essay explaining why you are choosing Gallatin specifically is said to be very important. I think your stats make you a likely admit for Syracuse.

One of these schools is not like the other: why Vassar? have you visited it?

Also, why would putting a varsity sport on your app be a waste?

To be “fair”, NYU and Syracuse are pretty different from each other too…

For Vassar, an upperclassman I am close to is attending Vassar. She is someone I look up to and she loves it there. Also, for Track, even though I lettered, I was never on Varsity. The sprinting events are pretty competitive.

Yes, NYU and Syracuse are very different. I like both programs for different reasons, and I’d like to try and apply to a bit of a variety so when springtime comes and I’m picking a school, I’ll hopefully have a good variety of options for what I ultimately decide I want to do for the next 4 years.