<p>^Is that list a mix of safeties/targets or reaches also? Would it help that I have a great test and project GPA? The only GPA that brings me down is homework, our school transcript shows all averages. I have also been recognized as one of the top in state for math competitions, will that help offset the GPA? </p>
<p>How fast will I need to be (mile and 5k) to be recruited for cross country and track. I play varsity, but I am not sure how much weight that holds because some schools may be better than us.</p>
<p>What about Washington University St. Louis and Johns Hopkins. Good medical programs.</p>
<p>the ivies are not out of your reach.</p>
<p>but don’t consider places like chicago as matches. they are matches for no one</p>
<p>with a 3.6 W, Ivy Leagues and Duke will be high reaches even with legacy, and Chicago is a reach for the majority of students (sorry if that’s harsh), have you thought about BU or NYU? Northeastern would definitely be doable too (in terms of admissions), and they have coops which provide you with great work experience.</p>
<p>Your SATs are great though, they should help you a great deal. Be sure to write great essays, get great recs and do lots of ECs :)</p>
<p>I’ll do my best! If it helps my weighted test GPA is 4.8 (maximum in school history, and like .2 below maximum possible… the previous record was 4.58 or something)… My principal (who writes recommendations for five top students based on a variety of different objectives) said that he would emphasize that I am a top student and show that I am a great impact to the school. </p>
<p>I also worked with him a lot when I was in the student government when we were trying to change the way science was taught at the school. I think he knows that I put my best effort into things… I know one of the senators pretty well, but I will avoid his rec (unless he offers) because I hear it is looked down upon. </p>
<p>I am doing my best to fix my GPA and will do my best to get a perfect GPA for the remaining time before applications. </p>
<p>Oh, and I know that chicago is not a match!</p>
<p>Oh, I don’t know if I have said this before, but I am a stark liberal who LOVES political debate. So open minded conservatism schools and liberal schools alike would be great. As long as they don’t teach me that earth is six thousand years and god created me, I am fine. :)</p>
<p>What are some good safeties? I would hate to go to a private safety which does not offer good financial aid. While I can afford it, I am afraid many of the people around me can also, and that takes away from the financial diversity.</p>
<p>So top notch state schools which are matches/safeties and/or safety type privates which offer a lot of financial aid… Any ideas?</p>