<p>I’m sorry for this late reply; I’ve been submitting final papers and preparing for end-years these few weeks. Still, I thank everyone for all your replies; they have been really helpful in allowing me to consider factors I had not thought of before. </p>
<p>Here is the updated list: </p>
<p>Harvard University
Princeton University
Cambridge University
London School of Economics and Political Science
University of Chicago
Swarthmore College
Barnard College of Columbia University
Wellesley College
Bryn Mawr College
Smith College
University of Texas - Austin
University of Wisconsin - Madison
Clark University</p>
<p>For Texas - I would like to apply to Plan II Honors, and would love it if I had a chance at the 40 Acres program there. Wisconsin and Clark are the solid safeties - they may not have exactly what I would like in a college, but they are still great schools that I would be willing, though not necessarily thrilled, to attend. </p>
<p>Any comments on the new list? Too long? Too short? Too many reach schools? Are my safeties really safe? (Are there safeties that could satisfy my criteria better? I am still not very contented with the lower end of the list.) Am I really competitive for the schools at top of my list? </p>
<p>(I realize I am being repetitive here; but I actually do worry quite a bit about being able to attend a good-fit college, and hope that more information about myself would allow for more and better advice to be given.) </p>
<p>As has already been established, I am a good, intellectual student. The academic system here is cut-throat. My school is technically more selective than Harvard, and I am top 10%. </p>
<p>BUT my school also practices grade deflation - I do have Bs as do tons from my school, and while we still get hundreds into Oxbridge and Ivies, I am also applying to places that do not know my school’s profile well - how would they view my comparatively low GPA? And while I consider my grades Freshman year where I had my worst episode of depression fine - top quartile or so with 3 B+s out of a rigorous 10-subject load - they certainly are not CC standard good. </p>
<p>I am also not an extraordinary person. I published a paper, initiated some projects in my community, won some national awards - but nothing other top applicants do not have. I play the piano and have an ABRSM Diploma, but never played at Carnegie Hall or anything. I cannot play sports because of my various chronic medical conditions that are not very well controlled. </p>
<p>I am a nice person - I have done what I have service-wise because I genuinely feel that as a society, we have let down these people, especially underprivileged children who are born so beautiful and good, yet almost without exception grow up to become delinquents and fail in the system. But you don’t get into college for being nice. </p>
<p>I grew up privileged. I feel very thankful and blessed, but at the same time I also feel stuck in this process. I feel that academically and socially I would fit in at many top schools; yet I have nothing special that would get me in. </p>
<p>So - do I need a safer list? How safe? Or are my worries unfounded? </p>
<p>Lastly, a question - my parents will pay for any college that is best for me, partially because they had once lived on meagre scholarships and do not want me to face the same. They will pay for medical, law etc. schools - I do not intend to take that route, but a lot can change in 4 years. I know I can count on them, and they can afford it, while still having sufficient for retirement and a decent home. Yet I know that among other things, they have always wanted to travel the world - a luxury I have had since I was young, but which they never had till their 40s. A nice house in a good neighborhood. But paying $300k or more for my education would be $300k less they can enjoy, and they would have to retire later. My parents are happy to do it. I feel I have been treated too well, and think that they deserve to enjoy more of the money they are earning - they are also helping with the extended family. As parents, do you think I should look at some schools with good merit?</p>