<p>These are my stats:</p>
<p>-2110 SAT score (790 CR, 640 M, 680 W) [[I plan to re-take.]]
-2.85 UW GPA
-Many, many Pre-AP and AP Credits
-4 years of foreign language (3 French, 1 Latin)
-Involved in a few extracurriculars, a couple leadership positions
-Strong writing skills (I can write a solid app essay)
-Many years spent playing musical instruments, including 4 years of high school band
-No work or volunteer experience as of yet.</p>
<p>I'd love to major in International Relations or Global Studies. A huge plus would be a build-your-own interdiciplinary program though, such as the one at Rochester. What would be some good schools for me to look into? I'm really interested in Georgetown, American University, Boston U, and University of Chicago, but as you can see, they're all reach schools for me. I don't even think I should apply really. I want a place that I can learn as much as possible and develop a memorable learning and life experience. Think you can help me, CC? I'd be eternally grateful.</p>
<p>What are your AP scores? As far as I can tell, your SAT scores don’t make those places look like reach schools. Your G.P.A. might be low, but I’m sensing a lack of grade inflation.</p>
<p>a sub-3.5 GPA means those schools are not happening. they are not even reaches. a 2.85 GPA demonstrates that you are not able to handle the academics at most good American colleges. if you feel that you are, perhaps transferring from a community college would be a better option.</p>
<p>That previous post was pretty harsh, especially as it looks like the poster may not actually have attended college yet. While your GPA is very low for the schools you are talking about, there is no reason to think you “are not able to handle the academics at most good American colleges.” There are many, many colleges out there. You do need to apply to more realistic options, but as long as you have your matches and safeties, you can try for reaches as well. </p>
<p>While you’re thinking about colleges, think about your high school grades. Ask yourself what type of environment helps you to succeed or fail in your coursework. Do you need fewer distractions, or more balance, or closer relationships with your professors, or what? Identifying things that are helpful (and unhelpful) will give you a better chance of succeeding in the college you choose.</p>
<p>Work really hard on your essays, interview, visit etc. The previous post was pretty misguided. People mature differently. Does your GPA trend upwardly? If so, that would help a lot. Also, the OP can obviously handle high caliber work if they are taking AP level classes.</p>
<p>Other schools I would suggest are Tufts, George Washington, Maryland (good location for IR but you can only do Political Science with a concentration), and Syracuse. I think if you wrote killer essays, got great recs, nailed your interview etc. you would have a shot at those schools. </p>
<p>However, I would also add some other schools for safeties that perhaps only have IR as a concentration. Do not get down on yourself. You can’t change the past, but you can work hard on your application. I was in a similar boat four years ago, albeit my grades were a bit better, but I applied ED to my dream school and got in (applying ED can also help).</p>
<p>Best of luck.</p>