<p>I’m sure you can get your SAT scores up, your passion for writing/music is evident in your great ECs, and as you seem to be well-off (sorry for assuming), needing none to little financial aid will help. But, your transcript is pretty weak–these schools are looking for you to challenge yourself, and as you say yourself, you have not. Definitely go with APUSH, try an AP English class too…boost the difficulty! A lower GPA is worth it.</p>