I need some direction...

<p>Hey guys! This is only my second post but I've visited CC many times before. Anyway, I was wondering if someone could give me a stats/chances evaluation... Help is greatly appreciated!</p>

<ul>
<li>Male (17 - Junior); Attend public HS in upper-middle class suburb in MI</li>
<li>Caucasian</li>
<li>Both parents have 4-year degrees</li>
<li>Top 10% of graduating class (school does not rank)</li>
<li>W/ UW G.PA: 4.03/3.93 (This should definitely be higher, but the Bs I got were only in freshman year--I hear some colleges will re-weight the G.P.A w/o freshman year. In that case, my G.P.A would be 4.15 W/ 4.00 UW)</li>
<li>Rigorous academic load (except for the required freshman year core curriculum and elective courses):</li>
</ul>

<p>Sophmore year: Honors chemistry, accelerated math, honors Am. history, honors Am. literature, spanish 3
Junior year: AP Bioloy, AP U.S. Hist, honors world lit., honors pre-calculus, honors physics, spanish 4
Senior year: (will take) AP English, AP U.S. Gov, AP Spanish, AP Calculus BC, Ind. study in philosophy, world history.</p>

<ul>
<li>SAT I: 2060 (700 CR, 680 M, 680 W + 10 Essay); retook today (6/4), expecting anything from 2050-2160 (arghh!). Why is it that I score consistently between 2100-2200 on practice tests but not on the actual thing!?</li>
<li><p>ACT: 29 (retaking on 6/11...expecting a 32 <em>hopefully</em>)</p></li>
<li><p>AP U.S. History: Expecting 5</p></li>
<li><p>AP Biology: Expecting 4</p></li>
<li><p>AP Government*: Expecting 5</p></li>
<li><p>AP Spanish*: Expecting 5 (for sure)</p></li>
<li><p>AP Calculus BC*: Expecting 4</p></li>
<li><p>AP Government*: ?</p></li>
<li><p>= Senior year</p></li>
<li><p>Taking SAT IIs in october...Math IIC and Bio..but I'm not sure if I should also do U.S. History...I guess it depends on where I apply.</p></li>
</ul>

<p>Activities/Extra-curriculars:
- Drama (musicals...leading rolls): 9,10,(12)
- Art Club: 9,10
- Golf team: JV-9,10, V-11,(12) (maybe co-captain for next year?)
- Diveristy club member: 11, (12)
- Gay-Straight Alliance: 11, (12) (<--president)
- NHS: 11, (12) (<--exec. board member)
- Tutoring: 11
- Volunteer work: 9, 10 (only ~50 hours)
- This summer I'm going to Costa Rica for a volunteer program (1 month) to do social work projects and learn the language/culture.</p>

<p>Nothing special about E/Cs..perhaps even deficient?</p>

<p>Achievments/award(s):
- Honor Roll (hahah)
- Youth Assistance Recognition Award (given to 5 HS students/year, for "outstanding character and contribution to the community")</p>

<p>^^ Yikes! :( ^^</p>

<p>Let me emphasize, however, that I should have excellent essays (writing is my strength), teacher/counselor recs, and interviews. These should help me.</p>

<p>I'm really nervous about applying to the most selective schools because my stats seem pretty mediocre... My safety is going to be UMich-Ann Arbor (30 minutes away from where I live). I don't know what I want to major in... I'm just doing Liberal Arts (leaning towards philosophy). If I went to UMich I'd want to be in the Honors LSA program...but UMich has too many students, in my opinion. So...what about some possible "reaches"? I haven't done a whole lot of researching, but over this summer I will. I'm thinking about Columbia, University of Chicago, Swarthmore, Wesleyan, etc., but these are only colleges that some have recommended. I want a school that offers great Liberal Arts classes, resources, and faculty accessablity/relationships. What schools should I apply to/consider?</p>

<p>Any help?</p>

<p>...Please?</p>

<p>prrbly NYU would be a good match or maybe northwestern. Pretty good. DO you have a hook?</p>

<p>Your SAT is a bit low for the Ivy League. However, your academics are outstanding, and you MUST take as many AP courses as possible and get A's in them to maximize your chances. </p>

<p>Try and murder your SAT-IIs to make up for the SAt. That means 750+ on all of them. </p>

<p>Swarthmore and Columbia are reaches. Chicago is also a reach, although lower. Chitown will like your excellent grades though. Wesleyan...you have a better chance there. Have you looked at Georgetown?</p>

<p>Ahh, well, I haven't really looked at Georgetown yet, but I might consider it...eh...</p>

<p>As for a hook? Well, I don't really know yet. I guess being gay might help a little?</p>

<p>Is that a joke?</p>

<p>No...</p>

<p>Gay-Straight Alliance: 11, (12) (<--president) also co-founder</p>

<p>I'm not sure what homosexuality does for you...but it's definitely not a hook.</p>