There are so many great colleges/unis you could attend that you would find a great fit with fantastic job opportunities. I think what most folks are trying to explain is that somehow you came up with a list that is not a good fit for you.
Let’s just say your unweighted GPA is 3.2 by the end of this year. Senior year grades are not reported when you apply. Let’s just say when you take the SAT this spring you get an 1150.
For the colleges you are considering:
Princeton, for example, (only accepts 7% of all applicants) and total enrollment is 1,319 freshman.
Of those that are accepted, here is where their unweighted GPA falls:
3.00-3.24: 1% (13 kids)
3.25-3.49: 3% (39 kids)
3.50-3.74: 8% (105 kids)
3.75-4.00: 88% (1161 kids)
The average reading SAT score is 730 and the average math SAT score is 750. (Total 1480)
Remember the lower GPA % are often athletes. Also, out of the 1319 new freshman, they try to fill about 50/50 male/female, which lowers your chances above by half.
Then they are looking for kids with specific hooks or skills, etc. etc.
This is the way it works and why everyone is warning you to be realistic. I could give you similar stats for all of the schools on your list.
Also, Imperial College of London - you have to have 3 AP tests with scores of 5. Are you on track to have that completed by the application deadline of Jan 15, 2018?
It’s fine to apply to one or two reach schools, but there is a lot of money, effort, extra essays for each school you apply to, so I think the general message is to find schools that really are matches, have the type of campus you would like: urban versus suburban or rural, small or large class sizes, something that is affordable.
Ask your parents what they are willing to pay each year, because that will help your list as well. There’s no point in apply to any match or reach schools that are not affordable so that takes some research as well.
Take a look at the list Dusty Feathers provided, some great options there! You will certainly have plenty of job opportunities from this list!
I have no doubt there is a terrific college waiting out there for you, you just need to be open to finding it!