<p>A cautious person would consider Dartmouth and MIT (with admit rates well below 20%) “reach” schools for almost all applicants. A conservative rule of thumb for some of the other schools is that they are reaches for someone who is not into the 75th percentile for scores and rank, especially without exceptional ECs. The standard for exceptional ECs varies from school to school. At Ivies, it can mean accomplishments as unusual as Broadway acting experience or winning a national science prize. At other, slightly less selective schools, it typically would mean significant school and community leadership roles, at least (or metropolitan/provincial distinctions in sports, music, chess etc.) Chicago seems to put extra weight on the essays.</p>
<p>So I’d consider these schools reaches for the OP: MIT, Dartmouth, … Chicago, Cornell, … Colgate, Colorado College, Grinnell, Colby. But the higher math scores may compensate for lower CR for an international student applying to some of these schools. </p>
<p>Section H6 of each school’s Common Data Set indicates whether the school awards aid to nonresident aliens. Grinnell for example awards both need-based and merit aid to nonresident aliens. It awarded aid packages averaging $28,135 to 156 nonresident aliens in a recent academic year. Colorado College awarded packages averaging $41,885 (almost the full cost of attendance) to 42 nonresident aliens. Colorado College is a wonderful school but could be criticized for lacking diversity. Based on that aid average, it appears to be eager for international students.</p>