<p>You probably will get into a great school. You probably won’t get into an Ivy. </p>
<p>I would recommend that you apply to a couple of schools in the top 10 range, a couple more in the top 20, top 30, etc.</p>
<p>Ordinarily applying to 15 schools isn’t worth it, but your goal should be to find a school that will look past your low GPA. As long as your whole gap year thing doesn’t mess things up for you (why didn’t you apply as a senior?), you have an OK chance of getting into an “elite” school.</p>
<p>Just to humble you, I had a friend apply to all of the schools on your list and no safeties. He has a near 4.0, same ACT score as you, lots of AP classes, tons of leadership, and is one of the top golfers in the state.</p>
<p>He is going to be taking an unwanted year off.</p>
<p>Edit: also, your logic is off. Elite universities do not care how smart you are if you don’t have a high GPA. It’s hard to justify admitting a kid who couldn’t even ace high school.
I can’t imagine an admissions officer making the point “don’t worry, he’s not dumb, his GPA is just low because he is lazy and a slacker, lets admit him”.</p>