<p>I don't want to seem abrasive, but I think that you need to deflate your list and include Universities that are slightly more realistic. I have composed a list of colleges including three matches, two safeties, and two reaches are more attune with your stats and profile. Good Luck.</p>
<p>Drexel- Safety
Drexel is definitely a good school, but it is known for little diversity and sometimes abysmal professors. Your essays are crucial, so ensure they are not rubbish. Ultimately, based on your profile I believe you have a good chance of being admitted- Average SAT 580 V 610 M and Average GPA 3.5. The only possible impediment that I can foresee is your class rank, which is a very important factor.</p>
<p>Penn State - Safety</p>
<p>Penn State is a good state school, but it is extremely large and is definitely party focused. You will receive a good education if you look for it though.
I don't foresee any problems for you with Penn State, as it is a state school, so subsequently the admission process is rather cut and dry. Your profile will most likely be judged by two factors: GPA and test scores. Penn State's average SAT scores and GPA are 1210 and 3.54, respectively. Considering your scores, your GPA, and your extra-curriculars Penn State is a safety.</p>
<p>Boston University- Match</p>
<p>Based on speculation, I believe you have a good chance of being admitted to Boston University. Ostensibly, you are a prime candidate. Boston University apparently emphasizes that students participate in school activities and volunteer in the community, which you most certainly have. Although, your profile reflects commitment, there is a lack of leadership, which may prove detrimental. Your SAT scores are on par- average SAT score of admitted students is 1280- and your GPA is phenomenal. You maybe borderline though, since your SAT scores are on par, you have no leadership, and your class rank is not exactly superlative. You might be admitted to CGS (there's absolutely nothing wrong with CGS and JPOD will be able to provide you with more detailed information regarding the program then me). If you "really" want to attend BU, I would recommend that you apply EDII, since the deadline for EDI has passed.</p>
<p>American- Match
American University is a highly regarded college and you cannot beat the location if you are majoring in anything related to politics. The only negative aspect of the university is that it is surrounded by other great colleges, which you might not even consider negative. Again considering your profile I think you have a good chance. Their average SAT score is 1270 and their average GPA is 3.5.</p>
<p>Syracuse (I know it wasn't on your list, but I think it's a good addition) - Match
Syracuse has a good communication and journalism department and its other colleges are also solid. The college is in a rough neighborhood though and it is generally cold all the time. I think you are a match and Syracuse is an option worth considering. The average SAT score at Syracuse is 1270 and the average GPA is 3.6.</p>
<p>Carnegie Mellon - Reach</p>
<p>Although, Carnegie Mellon reports incredibly high test score rates, not all departments share those statistics. If you were applying to the school of computer science, you would definitely have a nominal chance of being admitted, as they have average SAT scores of V650-750 and M 720-800.
If you are; however, applying to the College of Humanities and Social Sciences (English, History, etc.) then I believe you have chance-not great-of being admitted what with your reasonable SAT scores and great GPA (their average is V 650-730 M 650-750 and 3.39 respectively). You will be required to take a subject test in math, no matter what college you apply to, and you will need to have a good score, since Carnegie Mellon is very math orientated.</p>
<p>NYU- Reach
NYU is definitely a reach, but I think you are a solid candidate for the GSP. The General Studies Program is similar to Boston University's CGS, as you spend two year in a general college than transfer to the college that your originally applied for. Some students actually prefer this, since you can avoid the dreaded MAP courses that freshmen are required to take, but others don't because you have a rather rigid schedule for two years. The average SAT score at NYU ranges from 1300-1400 and the average GPA is 3.6.</p>
<p>I'm not sure if you have seen these before, but they are videos created by college students for prospective students, so that they can grasp an idea of what the school is like. Again, Good Luck.</p>
<p>Syracuse
<a href="http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-8375660429434143733&q=theu.com+syracuse&hl=en%5B/url%5D">http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-8375660429434143733&q=theu.com+syracuse&hl=en</a></p>
<p>NYU
<a href="http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-4269938909925465248&q=theu.com+nyu&hl=en%5B/url%5D">http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-4269938909925465248&q=theu.com+nyu&hl=en</a></p>
<p>Boston University
<a href="http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-4070898191853005460&q=theu.com+boston+university&hl=en%5B/url%5D">http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-4070898191853005460&q=theu.com+boston+university&hl=en</a></p>
<p>Penn State
<a href="http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-8181626917848289718&q=theu.com+penn&hl=en%5B/url%5D">http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-8181626917848289718&q=theu.com+penn&hl=en</a></p>