How balanced is my list?

College Search & Selection
1

<p>Hello all! I'm a rising senior, gearing up to apply to college in the fall. So far I'm interested in majoring in International Relations, but this is not a definite thing. I want to see if my college choices make sense, and if I should consider other schools. (Also, financial aid is not a major concern, but I wouldn't mind a scholarship!) My college list is as follows:</p>

<p>Reach:
UPenn (legacy)
Harvard (legacy)
Yale
Columbia
Duke</p>

<p>High Match:
Georgetown
Northwestern (legacy)</p>

<p>Match:
Tufts
UMichigan</p>

<p>Safer:
Boston College
George Washington
UIUC</p>

<p>My Stats:</p>

<p>4.0uw/4.75 w GPA
I'll have taken 13 APs by the end of HS, so far I have two 5s: AP Euro and AP Physics B.</p>

<p>36 on ACT (36 on E/R/S, 35 M, 9 W)
221 PSAT
Subject Tests: 800 Physics, 800 US History, 760 Math II</p>

<p>ECs:
Model UN (9-12): where I spend the majority of my time. On Eboard for two years, I've won two honorable mentions at large conferences (Brown University MUN and North American Invitational). My team is hosting a conference this year, so that's a lot of work (but fun!)</p>

<p>Youth and Government (11-12): Judicial, second place overall at state competition, thinking about running for Chief Justice next year</p>

<p>NHS (11-12): Committee Leader for large charity event, mentor for inductees next year</p>

<p>Band (9-12): oboe in concert band, I play flute during marching season. Also have played piano for 11 years on the side</p>

<p>Art: taking art classes since Freshman year. Will be in AP Art next year. I've been in a few art shows at a school and regional level. Thinking about adding an art supplement to my application. </p>

<p>Mentor for Freshmen (12): Leader to help Freshmen adjust to HS, it was a competitive process (application, interview) to be accepted to this</p>

<p>I've won a few awards for honor role, scholar awards, was published in a literary magazine Freshman year, etc</p>

<p>I look forward to constructive remarks on my own assessment of college possibilities, and also other schools I should be considering.</p>

<p>Thank you!</p>

2

<p>How sure are you about your safeties? Your stats make you seem like someone who would naturally tend towards a reach-heavy list, and I think that’s your best strategy since your profile looks very solid in terms of getting into reaches. And since UIUC is put on there as a safety, I don’t think you need to worry about the number of matches because it’s tough to find a college better than UIUC that isn’t a reach. But just make sure your safeties are actually safe.</p>

3

<p>Thank you. UIUC is in state for me, which I felt helped me. Should I consider another school? Are there any suggestions for safeties that are solid for my major? </p>

4

<p>I think keeping the instate school makes sense. It’s always something to fall back on in case the other schools are unaffordable. Considering schools with large merit scholarships would make sense given your stats for safeties.</p>

5

<p>So do you like any of these schools? Other than the legacies, how did you come up with these schools and not some others?</p>

6

<p>Mostly by their programs and location, I most likely want to be on the east coast, and studying something political, so that is georgetown, upenn, Columbia, etc. others are added for in-state schools and safer options. I’ve visited half of these schools, and will see the other half in a month, so the list may change.</p>