Honestly, where should I be looking?

<p>I'd like to stay in a major American city, most likely on the eastern sea board, but preferably not New York. So, Boston, Chicago, Philadelphia, Washington, etc.</p>

<p>Ethnicity: White
Location: New Jersey
Gender: Male</p>

<p>I attend a rigorous college prep school outside of New York City. We send 100 percent of our students to college, and the curriculum is definitely much more difficult than your average high school. Don't mean to sound rude, just throwing that out there.</p>

<p>GPA: 3.45 UW, school doesn't do weighted.
* If you recalculate my GPA, subtracting some visual arts courses which I was required to take but could not excel in and got B-'s, I actually have a GPA more like 3.5.</p>

<p>The SAT'S I'm shooting for on my second go around: 760 CR, 580 M, 720 W (Let's just assume its in or around that range)</p>

<p>Class Rank: N/A, school doesn't rank, but, a look at a slightly confusing GPA distribution graph would put me at least in the top 20, if not higher.</p>

<p>I am planning to take what my school calls 'Focus', a year long research project/thesis in something you love. I hope to tackle an aspect of politics and the media, and it would involve writing a 25 page paper first semester and then going out into the field and actually working in that area before presenting this project to a panel of experts.</p>

<p>EC's:
--Student Government (My strongest point):
- President of the Student Body, running uncontested, first time in school history.
- I was the president of my grade for Freshman and Sophomore year.
- I was the vice-president of the Student Body this year.</p>

<p>I've helped initiate major rule changes, written and delivered big speeches, argued in front of faculty meetings, and been a general advocate for the Student Body.</p>

<p>-I interned for the Barack Obama for President campaign in Paterson, NJ, compiling over 120 hours of service. I was an assistant to the field organizer, and helped run events, train volunteers, set up and take down events, etc. I was also left in charge of phone banks and canvassing events and helped volunteers sometimes 3 times my age understand how to be a part of the campaign. I was one of four field office administrators in Paterson on Election Day, the only one who happened to be a minor. Great letter of rec from one of my supervisors/field managers. Will also be a focus of my essay.</p>

<p>-National/International Editor of the school newspaper: written extensively on American politics, edited articles, managed lay out of section.</p>

<p>-Play guitar in private lessons, school band, the pit orchestra for the musicals, and small cafes and restaurants.</p>

<p>I am potentially working in the New York Governor's fund raising race as well this year.</p>

<ul>
<li><p>I am a tour guide for my school, all four years.</p></li>
<li><p>I've run cross country all four years of high school, varsity for three.</p></li>
<li><p>My US AP History teacher will be writing my recommendation, and he is also the main faculty adviser to the student government, so he has a double perspective on me.</p></li>
</ul>

<p>I don't know how to explain it, but I have become a sort of natural leader at my school I think any interviews would go well. You guys probably get this a lot, but I feel like my numbers (not a great sophomore year, more B's than A's), and my struggles with SAT I Math are bogging me down from being a really good candidate.</p>

<p>Where should I be looking for safeties, matches, and reaches to suit my interests? Thanks.</p>

<p>I assume you’re looking for a Government and Politics major?</p>

<p>Yes, that would be correct.</p>

<p>Oh I forgot my schedule for next year:</p>

<p>1st Semester:
AP English Literature
AP Spanish Literature
Twentieth Century World Honors
Senior Focus H
Differential Calculus
Stage Band</p>

<p>2nd Semester:
AP English Lit
AP Spanish Lit
TCW Honors
Senior Focus Honors
The Brain and Behavior
Stage Band</p>

<p>If you want to do stuff in Politics then Washington DC would be your city, so I would definitely look at Georgetown (reach) and American and George Washington universities, (both low matches to safeties)
As far as college in major eastern cities besides NYC the pickings are pretty slim, there’s Brown in Providence (a major reach, not just for you but for everyone), Tufts and BC (I’d say matches), and Boston University for a safety. Hope that helped!
Can you chance me back? <a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/what-my-chances/723662-apply-dartmouth-ed.html[/url]”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/what-my-chances/723662-apply-dartmouth-ed.html&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

<p>i agree with mvingi ; i think georgetown walsh school of foreign service definitely fits your interest. it’s selective, but seeing that you are very, very involved and so passionate, you definitely have a great chance. i would love to go to georgetown as well, and i envy your incredibly focused extracurriculars!</p>

<p>Also forgot to mention I won my school’s, which is big on tradition, Junior Citizenship Prize just last week.</p>