<p>You should get a boost from National Hispanic Scholars recognition ([National</a> Hispanic Recognition Program (NHRP)](<a href=“College Board - SAT, AP, College Search and Admission Tools”>Scholarships and Recognition with PSAT/NMSQT - SAT Suite)) If you didn’t designate yourself as Hispanic on the PSAT, there is still time to register. You have a very good shot at the schools you’ve mentioned, but it’s all a crapshoot at that level of admissions; Amherst, Brown and Swarthmore are reaches for everybody, while Barnard and Colgate seem like strong matches for you.</p>
<p>Between AP Bio and Physics, ask youself this question: do you prefer solving numeric problems (Physics) or lots of memorizing (AP Bio)? I do think biology helps more in a writing career by familiarizing you with more advanced science topics, whereas you’ll never be asked by an editor to do a physics lab.</p>