I'll make this short and sweet.

<p>The only two schools I'm really interested in are UChicago and DePaul because I want to stay in Chicago and they have my ideal geography programs. However, since UChicago is a huge reach, I think it's a good idea to apply to more than two =P</p>

<p>My stats in a nutshell:
-Less-than-stellar GPA [3.5ish, top 25%]
-Very active. EIC of school paper. Was a page editor last year. Not in many clubs but the few I'm in I put a LOT of time in. I do lots of community service. Spent the summer as a volunteer-intern [about 15 hours a week] for an orginzation dealing with domestic violence. Loved working there and plan to continue helping them during the school year. ETC.
-I'm working on raising my scores, lets just say this. According to "The REAL ACT!" prep book, I'm about in a 28-30 range. Hoping to make that 30+ but yes, 28-30. I don't really want to take the SAT again. It wasn't very fun the first time... but according to the blue book, my range is something like 1700-2000. Yep, one of those huge ranges. I will take it again though I want to stick to ACT.
-A possible "hook" - I plan to double major in Political Science and Geography. Not 100% sure about Political Science. Kind of weird but I'd also consider majoring in English and Geography. They don't really go together, but I love them both dearly. Anyway, most geography departments are very very small. So if it's on danger of collapsing due to student apathy... perhaps that's in my favor? </p>

<p>My list, in no particular order:
-University of Chicago [Super reach, but I'm working on my essays. I love writing and I think they're coming along quite well.]
-DePaul [Safety/Match?]
-Augustana IL [Safety/Match?]
-University of Illinois - Urbana [Match? Does instate help?]
-Knox [Match? No geography program but from what I know about the school I like... except I really want a geography program...]
-Macalester [Another big reach]</p>

<p>I think that's finalized, even though the latter four are kind of hastily chosen. I'm picky. But can anyone comment on the safeties/matches/reaches? Anywhere else I should be looking at? Is that enough schools? Is it well-rounded enough? Should I be looking for more safeties? More matches? More reaches?</p>

<p>I know my stats description is lame, but I don't really want to take up too much space with this. I've taken up enough already. This was supposed to be short, gah. =X</p>

<p>How about Marquette up the road in Milwuakee?</p>

<p>The PoliSci majors at most schools receive a lot of apps from pre-law types, so that's no help, but geography maybe.</p>

<p>have you thought of UIC? I don't know, but you could give it a shot.</p>

<p>That post was NOT short and sweet.</p>

<p>Loyola? They're in Chicago, aren't they?</p>

<p>Lake Forest?</p>

<p>What about Beloit-- not too far from Chicago and a very nice LAC.</p>

<p>Thanks for the suggestions, everyone- but none have geography. </p>

<p>And GreenDayFan- I know, haha. Sorry. I had the intentions of it being short and sweet. They got lost somewhere along the way. =P</p>