Is my list balanced enough?

College Search & Selection
1

Hi! I’m deep into my college applications process, but I’m concerned my list isn’t balanced enough. I’m not looking for a chance me, just general thoughts on if my list has enough reaches, matches and safeties, thanks!

Schools:
Reach- UPenn, Brown, Wesleyan, Vassar
Match- Oberlin, Hamilton, UNC (In-state)
Safety- Spelman, Hollins

GPA: 4.5 (Weighted), 3.92 (Unweighted)
Rank: 30/729 at one of the largest/most diverse public schools in NC
African American female

ACT: 34
13 APs by end of this year including social studies, science, and math- all 4’s and 5’s

Extracurriculars:

  • Writing Club President (2 years)
  • President of local Jack and Jill Chapter (in charge od 70 teens, correspond with region and national organization, etc…)
  • Jack and Jill Foundation Chair: Organized an event that raised 6,000 plus dollars and paid for the 9000 meals we packed for the hungry
  • Library Volunteer (Let a teen writing group once a week for three months ~ 30 hours)
  • Local nonprofit Teen Executive Board (Work with homeless and foster children to create art)
  • School Ambassador/freshman mentor
  • Local nonprofit student ambassador
  • NHS and National Math and Science Honor Society
  • Adroit Journal Summer Mentorship (50 chosen out of 650 applicants for a one on one 8 week writing program)
  • Duke Young Writers Program

Honors:

  • Scholastic National Best in Grade (2 writers chosen from each grade, 330,000 entries) - International + published in Best Teen Writing 2019
  • Scholastic gold and silver national medals (top 1% of al entries)- international
  • Scholastic American Voices (Best in show of region- adjudicated nationally)- regional
  • Hollins Nancy Thorp Poetry Contest 2nd place (published in school lit mag, scholarship)- National
  • YoungArts Merit Winner
  • Interlochen Nancy Ball Finalist (Received 10,000 scholarship to school)
  • National AP scholar
  • other smaller writing awards
2

I’m not sure I would consider Hamilton a match for anyone, even with all of your writing background.

3

@helpingmom40 I think you’re right, that was mostly an accident :)!

4

If you would like to attend a college suitable for ambitious writers, your choices seem well researched. You could enhance your variety a bit if you would like (consider Kenyon?), but overall your choices appear realistic for a student with your achievements.

https://contently.net/2014/11/06/resources/tools/training/10-best-colleges-creative-writers/

https://www.flavorwire.com/409437/the-25-most-literary-colleges-in-america

https://www.usnews.com/best-colleges/rankings/writing-programs

5

@merc81 Thanks! These are some awesome recs. I’ll read through the links and see if there are any more I feel good about adding to the list!

6

I wouldn’t worry too much about being “balanced” - there’s no magic to a number of reach/match schools. My D didn’t apply to any reach schools, got into 7 of the 8 she applied to, and was fine with it.

As long as the two safeties you have are true safeties, then just apply to wherever you would like to attend.

7

Personally, I think your profile is wonderful! Your writing achievements are truly notable, and you have great leadership. Did you apply early somewhere?

Your stats are excellent. So glad you are applying to Penn - Kelly Writers House really values strong writers. I would consider adding Kenyon, Harvard, Yale, Princeton, UVA, and Emory to your list. If you are willing to look at the West Coast, possibly Stanford. Stanford highly values students with a demonstrated passion for humanities. Any interest in Duke? Duke takes a certain percentage of the class from NC. I would consider applying for B.N. Duke Scholars since you are from the Carolinas. Or the A.B. Duke Scholars.

I think your list is well balanced but I would definitely add the schools noted above. Good luck! Come back and let us know where you end up applying, and then which school you select!