Chances? Need help with my game plan...

<p>First, my dilemma. I'm trying to decide how to go about my applications. Basically the main problem is what school to apply ED to. I'm interested in UPenn, Columbia, Amherst, Williams, Emory, and UChicago (UF is my backup). I'm leaning toward applying UPenn ED, then EA/regular with the rest. The problem is a) I don't know if I have good enough chances at UPenn to warrant using ED on it as opposed to some other schools on my list and b) I don't know if I have any shot at Columbia/Amherst/Williams/Emory/Chicago regular decision. So please, tell me your opinions. Here's the rundown...</p>

<p>White male
ACT: 35
SAT: 750 M, 750 V, 800 W
SATII: Chemistry 730, MathII 760, Literature 700</p>

<p>Freshman courses: English honors, Geometry honors, World History honors, French honors, Biology honors (hardest courseload)
Sophomore courses: English honors, Precalculus honors, US History honors, French honors, Chemistry honors (hardest courseload)
Junior courses: Chemistry AP, English Lang AP, Microeconomics AP, French honors, Calculus AB AP
Senior courses: Physics C AP, English Lit AP, French Lang AP, Calculus BC AP, Macroeconomics AP</p>

<p>Ap scores: Chemistry 5, Calculus AB 5, Microeconomics 5, English Lang 5</p>

<p>I've taken the hardest possible courseload except for US honors my sophomore year, some people took USAP but history is not my strong suit so I didn't feel comfortable taking it. My cumulative grade average is a 91, but that's only because I did poorly my freshman year. There's a definite upward trend as the courses got harder, which should be a plus. I go to a very good prep school in South Florida. Just to give you an idea, we send about 23 students out of a class of 200 every year to Ivies. </p>

<p>ECs: Varsity soccer (9, 10, 11, 12), Travel soccer (my whole life), Varsity Volleyball (11), Debate team (9, 10), School paper (12), Hollywood Board of Parks and Recreation (11, 12)</p>

<p>I guess that seems a little light, but soccer takes up most of my time. The board of parks and recreation is another big commitment...basically I'm on a panel with other adult members of my community and we meet to determine how to spend City funds on recreational programs and facilities.</p>

<p>My recs will be written by the two most esteemed members of the faculty at my school. One is a calculus teacher who is the chief editor of an international Calculus newsletter, the other is my chemistry teacher who spent almost a decade as a chemical researcher. Every student that my Calc teacher has recommended to MIT has gotten in, ten years running. So those should be good. I haven't written the essays yet. I can't say they'll be incredible, but they won't be bad. </p>

<p>I'm worried about ECs and my GPA (91). Any opinions?</p>

<p>Hey, I'm applying ED to Penn too this year. I think that you have a great shot! As to where you should apply, I chose to ED Penn because after tons of research and a visit, I have decided that I absolutely love it and it is the best place for me. I think that you should really like a place if you are applying ED, not just want a percentage boost. That said, I think that if you look into Penn you will like what you find. There is always the chance that you won't too (but I can't see why lol!!!). In that case you don't want to be stuck going there. What do you want to study? Post this in the Penn forum, they are very helpful. Well, good luck with everything, and I hope to see you in Philadelphia next fall!!!</p>