<p>amptron2x-</p>
<p>Looked at also applying to SMU and Columbia, but ran into a problem applying to SMU as a homeschooler (plus I decided I'd rather go to Ithaca than SMU if given the choice), and since I come from a very small, rural town, I thought NYC might be a bit much right off the bat. </p>
<p>I may well end up somewhere in NYC (or LA) after college grad, either working or at grad school, but for now Ithaca is close enough to the big action for me (especially considering their LA semester of study program). :-)</p>
<p>Plus, my understanding is that Columbia requires all applicants to have taken two SAT IIs (in addition to the Writing Test if you took the old SAT I) *... plus** two additional SAT IIs for homeschooled students. I don't have five SAT IIs and didn't have the time to take three more before their app deadine.*</p>
<p>The biggest reason that I applied to these three particular schools was they seem to be the right fit ... they seem to be very, well, me. They may not be THE most academically challenging, but they are strong in what I love, what I want to study and pursue.</p>
<p>Thanks for the great post!</p>