Is this list top-heavy?

Chance Me / Match Me!
1

<p>I can't shake the feeling that I won't end up getting in anywhere...</p>

<p>My list so far:</p>

<p>Duke (Ugh. I feel embarrassed to even apply because I'd never get in, but my parents insist.)
UNC Chapel Hill
Bates College
Boston College
NYU (I'm applying Early Decision)
Syracuse
Fordham
McGill
Case Western Reserve</p>

<p>Some quick stats:</p>

<p>UW GPA: 3.53
W GPA: 4.56
Class rank: Top 12%
SAT Writing: 800
SAT Math: 670
SAT Reading: 780
Total: 2250
Curriculum: I've taken 12 APs (2 sophomore year, 5 junior year, 5 senior year) Senior year grades should raise my GPA
*National Merit Commended definitely. May be semifinalist/finalist as well, but cutoff scores haven't come out yet.
State of residence: NC</p>

<p>Key question being: Do I need more safetys/safer safetys?</p>

2

<p>any ECs or leadership you can tell us? ACT or SAT IIs? more info please</p>

3

<p>That’s the kind of reply I was afraid of…So none of the listed schools are good bets based only on GPA/SAT?</p>

<p>I want to make sure to include at least 2 schools that I could easily get into without relying heavily on ECs.</p>

4

<p>Nah, Fordham, BU and Syracuse should be safe for you. Apply Early Action to Fordham. Of course if you get into NYU early, that’s the end of the road anyhow.</p>

5

<p>Agree with schmohawk. Not to worry.</p>

6

<p>I’m applying to BC, not BU. :P</p>

<p>And about NYU: Does Early Decision increase your chances? And is it true that they’re big on SAT scores?</p>

7

<p>Yes, in that 30% are accepted non early, and 39 are accepted early</p>

8

<p>A friend who has worked in admissions told me that the advantage of applying Early Decision is minimal. The acceptance rate is higher, according to her, because the applicant pool is stronger.</p>

9

<p>@lukemeister So if the applicant pool is stronger, would it hurt to apply ED?</p>

10

<p>Hi - No, I don’t think it hurts your chances. It just doesn’t increase them as much as people think (including me before I talked to my friend). If you’re sure of your first choice, the only real disadvantage of ED is that you have to accept before you know how much financial aid you’re getting.</p>

11

<p>oh no i didn’t mean your grades weren’t enough, i just wanted a bit more info haha</p>

<p>i think your SAT is great and GPA fine for most of those schools</p>