Is my list balanced?

College Search & Selection
1

Hi! I’ve posted my possible application lists on here before, but, after more research, I have edited my list a bit. I would love feedback regarding whether or not you think my list is balanced enough. Additionally, if you have any suggestions for schools to add, that would be appreciated!

ACT: 35 composite, single sitting (36 math, 35 both English, 32 science, 8 writing, will not submit writing if this is an option)
SAT: 1500 single sitting, probably not submitting (760 math, 740 English)
Subject tests: 750 chem, 750 math 2, other scores much lower and will not submit

GPA: 95%, unweighted (school does not weight or rank, no 4.0 scale used)

Freshman courses: Honors Biology, Honors Algebra 2/Trig, Honors English, Honors Global History, Choir, Spanish 2
Sophomore courses: Honors Chemistry, Honors Precalculus, AP World History (5), Honors English, Advanced Spanish 3, Choir, Science Research
Junior courses: AP Chemistry (4), AP US History (4), AP Calc BC (4 and 4 AB subscore), Honors British Literature, Intermediate Spanish (University in High School program connected with SUNY Albany), Intro to Computer Science (program connected with Siena College), Choir, Science Research
Proposed Senior courses: AP Micro/Macro, AP English, AP Physics, AP Statistics, Calc 3/Linear Algebra (another University in High School program), AP Computer Science, Choir

ECs:
Secretary of Key Club Junior Year, President Senior Year
President and Founder of Puzzle Club (club where students get together and work on brain teasers, not sure how to explain this on applications?)
Member of Peer Helpers Club (nominated for the position, group of students that work with teachers to help other students throughout the school, may not include) 10-12 grade
Treasurer of Junior Council
Elected member of Senior Council
JV Tennis 9-10 grade, couldn’t participate 11th grade for medical reasons, continuing tennis outside of school
A cappella group that performs at community service events around the community and has organized benefit concerts
Nutritional Research internship with professor from Siena College (50 hours)
Biomedical informatics and data science for biomedicine and healthcare summer course at Brown
Science Olympiad 11-12 grade
Math honor society
Spanish honor society

Job:
Tutor in Spanish, Math, Science, and Social Studies

Legacy at Harvard, Princeton, Cornell

Schools:
Harvard (EA)
Swarthmore
Haverford
Brown
Hamilton
Yale
Vassar
Wesleyan
Amherst
SUNY Binghamton (EA)*
Oberlin*
RPI*
SUNY Stony Brook*

(* indicates a school that I have yet to formally visit)

I want to go into biomedical informatics and I’m planning on majoring in something STEM-related for my undergrad.

Thank you!

2

Harvard (EA) Reach
Swarthmore Reach
Haverford Reach
Brown Low reach
Hamilton High match
Yale Reach
Vassar Match
Wesleyan Match
Amherst Reach
SUNY Binghamton (EA)* Safety
Oberlin* Match
RPI* Match
SUNY Stony Brook* Safety

Assuming that you can afford these school.

3

I think your list is balanced. You have a lot of reaches just in the fact that they have low acceptance rates but that doesn’t concern me much since your have safeties as well (SUNY Bing, SUNY SB). You are a qualified applicant for most of the schools on your list. Just keep a healthy attitude and realize than there are not enough spots at your reaches for all the qualified applicants. Best Wishes! You will do well no matter where you end up.

4

I woudn’t use as a safety any school that I haven’t actually visited. You’re statistically likely to end up at one of your safeties and so you ought to know whether you’d be happy there before you even apply. People put so much energy into researching their dream schools but rarely give the same thought to the places they’re more likely to end up.

5

Would you be happy to attend Bing or SB? If so then your list is fine. If not then find some true safeties you’d be HAPPY to attend.

6

You should add a few more matches (schools with a 30-40% acceptance rate).
Not sure on your budget, but possibilities include
Pitt honors, Penn State Schreyer, UVermont Honors, Case Western, Davdison, Dickinson, NCSU, Virginia tech… Run the NPC on those to check whether they’d be affordable.

7

@123Mom456 thank you so much!

8

@sheepskin00 @“Erin’s Dad” I’m planning on visiting both Stony Brook and Binghamton this summer to make sure that they’re a good fit for me. I think they will be, based on what I’ve read, but I do agree that it isn’t wise to have all my safeties be schools that I have yet to visit. Thank you for the advice!

9

I think you should check out SUNY buffalo as well. They have huge, beautiful facilities, endless student organizations, and excellent research opportunities. Although it is probably a bit below your league, I am in a very similar position as you are and liked Buffalo more than Cornell after scheduled tours of both.