Don't know where I should apply..CONFUSED..please help

Applying to College
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<p>OK, so I am REALLY confused about how selective of a school I should apply to. Below are my stats, and as you can see...I have a really really low GPA. I don't know how much my good SAT scores, good EC's, good essay, and other stuff make up for the low GPA. I also have a really valid reason for the low GPA which I have been told is not considered a pity reason but rather a legit explanation. </p>

<p>Middle Eastern American Male
!st gen to go to college
Psychology or Biology major</p>

<p>Unweighted GPA - 3.0 (yea i know) </p>

<p>SAT - 2130/2400
Math - 750
Reading - 690
Writing - 690</p>

<p>AP Psychology
AP Enviromental Science
AP US History
AP Economics
AP Political Systems</p>

<p>Rest are honors/gifted</p>

<p>EC's
- Debate Club President
- Debate Team Captain
- Philosophy Club Vice President
- DECA, BETA, FBLA, Interact, and International Club member.
- Mock Trial participant.</p>

<p>Laws of Life Essay Contest winner
Extemporaneous Speaking Contest 2nd Place winner
Literary Meet 2nd Place winner
Intern at hospital
Medical Conference (attending this summer)
250 hours of community service hours (medicine related)</p>

<p>So my question is..how selective of a school(s) should I shoot for?</p>

<p>Top 10, top 20, top 50, top 100? </p>

<p>If I could go anywhere it would be either Emory U, Boston U, Baylor U, or any UC's.</p>

<p>Thanks</p>

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<p>I would say that schools that tend to gravitate towards the lower bottom half of the top 100 are matches/safeties. Each school varies in it's admissions policies, what it's looking for,etc. so it is much of a crapshoot to really say that anything in the top 50 is a reach. I would venture to say, however, that Top 35 schools are a major major major reach considering your GPA. Despite EC's and AP classes, your academic record is primary to all. That is also why I would say the UC's are a definite stretch. Are you in-state? Then you have a good shot at UC Merced and maybe some of the lower tier UC's like UCSC but the others( Irvine, Davis, SD, SB) are a major reach. And Cal and LA don't even make the list. </p>

<p>I would say that you should look on college websites and look at all the schools average SAT/ACT and gpa. This would give you a good indication of where you fall, in the academic context, and also what percentile you would be (25%/75%). You have some major researching to do! But there are many good state schools as well.</p>

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<p>check out the chances forum for more feeback</p>