Chance Me Please! Am I being Reasonable? (USC, NYU, Barnard,etc.)

Chance Me / Match Me!
1

I want to make sure I’m being reasonable about where I am applying and not set myself up for disappointment or waste my time. I understand there is no way to know for sure other than applying, but I want other opinions on if I am being reasonable about where I am applying. I am applying as a Journalism or English major, depending on the school and what they offer. Thank you so much for your time!

I am applying to- USC Annenberg, NYU (CAS), Barnard (had a really great interview and hit it off with my admissions counselor who I keep in touch with), Fordham- Rose Hill, Michigan, Occidental, Georgetown, American, U of Texas, U of Iowa (safety)
White, Female
Small, public, three-year, high school in Midwest
3.7 UW GPA (this is what I am concerned about. I did not do very well my freshman year with a 3.4, but I have gotten better every year since then)
30 Composite ACT (also worried about this being too low, but I am retaking it next week)
-35 English, 25 math, 35 reading, 26 science
I have taken 7/12 AP classes my school offers and they only offer AP’s to upperclassmen

  • US History (5)
  • US Government/Politics (4)
  • Biology (will test 2018)
  • Human Geography (will test 2018)
  • Psych (will test 2018)
  • Literature (will test 2018)
  • Language and Comp (will test 2018)
    EC’s/Activities
  • Editor in Chief, school newspaper (only hs paper in state that prints weekly and has won news team of the year the past 3 years)- honorable mention (writer of the year, statewide), won multiple first place awards for writing and design at state level, had investigative piece published nationally
  • Speech Team- Group Improv (qualified for and received distinguished marks at state competition 3x),TV News, Prose
  • Drama (Landed lead role in fall play, it was my first time doing theater ever)
  • Class Leadership (fundraising/event organizer)
  • Students for Violence Prevention (peer mentor)
  • Student government
  • Founder, Social Issues Club
  • JV soccer for two years
  • Weekly volunteer at local church
  • Work as hostess at a local upscale restaurant for about 15 hours per week

And I think it’s worth mentioning an extenuating circumstance (not that it’s an excuse for anything). Both my parents were either diagnosed or being treated for cancer throughout my high school career. My mom still has stage 4 and was diagnosed the summer before my Freshman year and my dad is in remission after being diagnosed last year. I care for my 5 year old sister a lot when my family is busy hahaha it gets pretty crazy in my house.
Thanks for your help. Like I said, I know the only way to know for sure is to apply, but I just want to know if you think I’m wasting my time.

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I think Georgetown, Barnard, USC, and UMich (OOS) are reaches, while the rest are targets/safeties. I think this a healthy, balanced list.

3

Additional info cause I can’t edit my post!

  • I imagine my recommendations will be very strong. I have a very close relationship with my counselor and often help her outside of school organize things with new students and give her advice from a students perspective on a variety of things. My other recommendation would be from my APUSH teacher who really pushed me because he knew my goals and ambitions were big. I think I might also have a supplement rec from the director of a public affairs journalism organization who I worked closely with and helped me get my work published in national newspapers. He really helped me realize that I have potential as a writer and that its possible to do it for a career. Either that or from my state senator who I have worked with very frequently and meet with a lot, in addition to when I lobby or consult him a a source for articles.
    -My school does not offer class rank, weighted GPA, or national honors society
  • I was honor roll every year so far!
  • I also take all honors if they are not AP
  • I have taken advanced Spanish at a local community college for two years and gotten A’s
  • I also took the ACT writing twice and got an 11 both times (out of 12)