Help Match Me to Colleges, Please? Apparently my top choices aren't the best choice..

College Search & Selection
1

<p>I posted a "What are my chances?" post, and a few users told me that I was a little off in my school selections. Apparently, my "top choices" are a little below the level I could shoot for and my "reach" school was way off.</p>

<p>Here's what I'm looking for: A medium/large school, preferably in an urban area (but that's not a necessity), with study abroad programs. I'm undecided but looking to major in international relations, pre-med, or journalist.</p>

<p>My top choices are: Fordham, Northeastern, Boston University, George Washington University, and my reaches are Boston College and Columbia (huugee reach but I did a summer program there). Here's my info...</p>

<ul>
<li><p>General Info
<em>Caucasian female in large public school</em>
GPA: 3.8 / 95%
Rank: Top 10%</p></li>
<li><p>Scores
ACT: 30
SAT: 1920
---SAT II US History: 710
---SAT II Literature: 700</p></li>
</ul>

<p>+Classes
AP US History - 5 on exam
AP Macroeconomics
AP English
Spanish 5 University</p>

<p>Senior Schedule: Physics, Pre-Calc, AP Macroecon, AP English, Spanish 5 University, French 4 Honors, Drawing & Painting (no study halls...FML haha)</p>

<p>Also have taken Spanish 4 Honors, Accelerated French</p>

<p>+Extracurriculars
National Honor Society
School Newspaper
Lots of Community Service consecutive over my four years of HS @ Local hospital, child care center, campaigning for Barack Obama, various fundraising events
Certified Professional Ski Instructor
Competitive horseback rider</p>

<p>+Jobs
Child Care Provider, 10 hours a week
Online Website Assistant</p>

<p>Where do you think would be a good match for me? Thanks so much.</p>

2

<p>You should look into URochester.</p>

3

<p>Your choices are good choices. Maybe add American University as a match and Georgetown as a reach. Take a look at William and Mary and George Mason, as well.</p>

4

<p>Pitt, Syracuse, maybe JHU as a reach?</p>

5

<p>Gee, looks like you’re on the right track to me.</p>

<p>Columbia is indeed a reach (SATs a bit low; no Calculus; no astonishing contribution to ending world hunger, poverty, or disease). For good International Relations programs, I agree that American University would be a good addition. JHU and Georgetown too (or Tufts), but they are not that much less selective than Columbia. The others on your list sound fine.</p>