Looking to organize my college list

Chance Me / Match Me!
1

Hi all,

I’m looking for chances at these schools as well as whether they are match/reach schools. I have already made this list:
Does anyone have any recommendations to move categories/any additional similar schools to add?

Safety:
-Rutgers New Brunswick (in-state)
-Virginia Tech

Match:
-University of Virginia
-Rensselaer (medalist)
-Lehigh

Reach:
-Cornell
-Dartmouth
-Johns Hopkins
-MIT
-Penn

I am a rising senior and am looking for where I can improve my application:

GPA: 4.00 UW/6.00 W (top of scales)
Class rank: 1 out of roughly 400, presumptive valedictorian
SAT: 2230 superscored (720CR, 800M, 710W) [Dec '15 700CR, 800M, 710W; Jan '16 720CR, 800M, 700W]
Class rigor: 9th (5 Honors); 10th (5 honors, 1 AP, 1 AP self-studied); 11th (1 honors, 5 AP); 12th planned
AP Exams: 10th/2015 - Statistics (5), Biology (5); 11th/2016 - Calculus AB, Chemistry, English Language and Composition, US History, Physics 1

School Extracurriculars:

  • robotics team (FIRST Tech Challenge): 9th grade - member; 10th-11th - mentor to younger students/incoming freshmen
  • robotics team (FIRST Robotics Competition): 9th grade - member; 10th - co-lead; 11-12th - lead/co-captain
  • Latin club - 10th-12th (may go for an officer 12th)
  • TSA
  • Science League - state organization where students take tests in a science subject and get ranked on scores - 10th-11th: member (no officers) - achievement certificate for both years
  • NHS 11th - member; 12th - chapter President

Community/out-of-school extracurriculars:

  • church handbell choir, vocal choir, youth group
  • participated 2 years in church youth mission trip to Roanoke, VA and helped rebuild houses, etc.
  • Boy Scouts - Eagle Scout and numerous other leadership positions, Crew leader for my Philmont trek this summer
  • BSA Venture Crew
  • community service hours through BSA, church, NHS
  • tutoring in math and science

Other Interests I pursue:

  • programming and web design - have designed websites and sold to businesses, Google Chrome extensions, and more
  • self-studied AP Biology sophomore year and received a 5 on the exam

Thanks!

2

Honestly you have a fighting chance at all of them, even MIT (though the chances are lower). I’d assume that Cornell would be a lower reach, as I know kids who are not as qualified as you who got in regular decision.

3

I agree. Your profile is strong for all of your reach schools, so you’re definitely a competitive applicant. I would also say that cornell would be a lower reach or higher match.

4

@rebecca12345 @junior2017
Thanks for your replies! Do you have any advice on how to improve my application? I also know that my recommendation letters will be very strong.

5

@throwaway890 write an AMAZING common app essay