Junior wondering about his chances

<p>I'm looking at universities with medium sized undergraduate programs, generally in big cities. I'm unsure of my major, so I want to have a variety of options; I also enjoy city life. I was wondering if any of these schools would be realistic, or if you had any suggestions. My college counsellors are being very vague and it's hard to know what I should be expecting next year. This is compounded by my school's refusal to give class rank. Here is a short list of ideas I've had:</p>

<p>Yale
Princeton
Harvard
Columbia
Upenn
JHU
NYU
Tufts</p>

<p>Here are my stats. I've never done a stat-post before, and have only lurked a bit on this forum, so I apologize in advance for any messiness that might occur here. If I'm missing anything important, please let me know:</p>

<p>Grades/GPA
-GPA: 3.79 (unweighted, and in a tough NYC private school. The highest GPA in the school ever was 3.98, and the highest in our year is 3.94. Also, I take honors classes in math and science, there are no honors courses in English and History, and there are no AP classes available)
-Class rank: I estimate top 15% unweighted, but if honors courses are taken into account, it's top 10%.
-SAT: Reading: 800 Math: 770 Writing: 760
-SAT2: US History: 800 Math II: 780 Literature: 760
-APs to be taken: Physics, Bio, US History, English Literature and Composition
, English Language and Composition</p>

<p>Courses
My schedule is normal 5-class schedule, though I'm also in school orchestra and chamber music.
Honors courses taken:
-Geometry A
-Precalculus A
-Chem A
-Calculus A (AB and BC in one year at AP level)
-Physics A (basically AP physiscs)
-Bio A (AP Bio)</p>

<p>Extra Curriculars
-I'm a violist in Juilliard Precollege
-I play viola in school orchestra and chamber groups
-I play guitar and ukulele
-I am a member of my school's Performing Arts Committee
-I am part of my school's chess team, which has come second in the nation several times
-I have a job teaching chess at another NYC private school</p>

<p>Community Service
-Total hours spent: 150 (?)
-I help teach the school chess club
-I help teach a violin class for 6th graders
-I volunteer at a retirement home for veterans over the summer, writing their life stories to be published in a local paper, as well as helping out in the laundry and doing other tasks
-I am an in-school tutor for struggling students </p>

<p>Recommendations
-I will have math, english, and music letters. I'm confident all will be very strong.</p>

<p>Other
-I plan to submit an arts supplement. I already have some good tapes of my music playing set up.
-I have a legacy at Columbia
-My school traditionally sends 1/3 of its students to Ivys, and a large group to equally good schools (Duke, UChicago, Williams, etc)
-I will not need financial aid</p>

<p>Thanks!</p>

<p>For one, I think you have amazing SAT scores. However, you have a really low gpa for the schools you are aiming for. Your legacy might help you at Columbia, but i honestly think your gpa is going to hold you back at all your ivy choices. However, I would say you are in at JHU, NYU, and Tufts. Best of luck.</p>

<p>Wow! Violists are so rare and in SUCH high demand. This alone will compensate for your GPA, which in itself is still very high. I would know-I am also a violist and interested in some of the same schools. </p>

<p>I’d say you are in at NYU, Tufts, JHU and Columbia. Harvard, Yale, Penn and Princeton are of course reaches, as they are for everyone. Try and raise your GPA! </p>

<p>Best of luck!</p>