How does my list look?

College Search & Selection
1

<p>Reaches:
Harvard
Yale
Stanford
MIT
Princeton
Penn-Wharton
U of Chicago </p>

<p>Matches:
Vanderbilt
UMich Engineering</p>

<p>Safeties:
U of Florida (FL resident)
U of Miami
UT Austin</p>

<p>My college counselor said this list is fine given the <10% acceptance rates of the reaches and my career interests. I'm ultimately planning to go into engineering (thinking chemical or electrical as of now) or finance. I'm also thinking about doing a clairinet/music performance minor for fun if that's possible, but can certainly do without it. </p>

<p>To give a glimpse of my profile:
3.96 UW GPA (12 total AP classes + 1 community college class by end of high school)
2360 SAT
800, 790, 770 in SAT II </p>

<p>Main EC's:
-Boy Scouts: Eagle Scout with 1 palm, many high adventure treks completed, TONS of leadership, many district and state competitions won under my leadership
-Music (instrument): all-state 2x, all-district 3x, rated superior with distinction at solo festival 3x for challenging trumpet music, made it as an alternate in my city's prestigious youth orchestra*, member of school's jazz ensemble
-Cross Country: placed 8th in the district, co-captain of Varsity team for senior year
-Co-founder of Mock investment banking/private equity club at my school (teach valuations/modeling/basic accounting to other students, make up mock M&A/debt/equity scenarios given situations in the news, and also invite professionals within the industries to speak) </p>

<p>For security reasons, I won't say which city nor which instrument. </p>

2

<p>It looks like a good, realistic list. If I were to suggest dropping any school from it, it would be UT, where you are unlikely to qualify for any meaningful financial aid. You have a top-notch in-state financial and academic safety in UF, already. I might add Rice and/or WUSTL as high-matches, and Tulane as a near-safety where you are likely to be offered a very nice scholarship package. Otherwise, your application will certainly be considered at any of your Reach schools, but they remain reaches for you (and every other highly-qualified applicant). </p>

3

<p>Good list. Ditto UT, where ranking will matter. </p>

<p>Now, can you afford any of them? have you run the net price calculators? have you had The Talk with your parents about what they will provide?</p>

4

<p>UT Austin admits more of its class from the top 7% rank of Texas high schools. You would be competing with everyone else for the remaining few spots, so you probably do not want to call it an admissions safety.</p>

<p>Have you run the net price calculator at each school and compared to your budget?</p>