Need help narrowing down/expanding list!

College Search & Selection
1

<p>Hi! These are the schools I'm currently looking at:</p>

<p>Reaches:
Cornell (number 1 or 2 choice)
Brown
Pomona (different from my other choices, but I still like it)
and one of the following: Columbia, Yale</p>

<p>Matches?:
Tufts (Possibly my #1 choice right now; might apply Early Decision II)
Brandeis
Georgetown
Vanderbilt</p>

<p>Safeties:
Boston University (qualify for a lot of aid and at least the Presidential Scholarship)
Transylvania University (basically guaranteed full scholarships + close to home)</p>

<p>Basically, I would like some suggestions for "matches" as well as "reaches that I should forget about". I probably won't end up applying to Columbia, Yale, etc. but still feel I have a chance and fit well at Cornell and Brown. Also, I'm not sure if some of my "matches" are really "matches".</p>

<p>Stats:
GPA-almost 4.0 (3.9 something), almost 4.1 weighted
ACT-33 (36 in English), just retook Saturday and I expect a 34 or at least an increase in my math score.
SAT-taking in Dec. In my area, ACT is pushed on us, so I didn't realize the importance of the SAT until recently.
AP: Psych 5, Stats 4, Spanish 5, English Lang 4, Music Theory 5
This year's classes:
AP English, AP Spanish Lit, Advanced Choir, AP American Gov, AP Macroeconomics, Anatomy, Math 150 Dual Credit
ECs:
Singing (Governor's School for the Arts, All-State Chorus, school chorus, many local chorus events)
Guitar (6 years private study)
Theatre (many lead roles, inc. musical theatre and "classics", i.e. Shakespeare)
Political Club (Young American Democrats)
Environmental Club/Recycling
Drama Club officer</p>

<p>Should have really good recs.</p>

<p>Will be first in family to get 4-year degree, but not to "attend college". White male. LGBT, if it matters (but I'm assuming it doesn't).</p>

<p>I'm kind of limited to schools that meet full demonstrated need or that will give me substantial merit scholarships in addition to fin. aid.</p>

<p>Thank you!</p>

2

<p>ACT 34 is good! Tufts is harder to get into than Brandeis----they seem to require very high scores. So maybe you could use something else in the Brandeis or slightly more selective range. If you’re open to Pomona, maybe Amherst (which almost belongs with Brown in selectivity), Middlebury, Vassar, Hamilton.</p>

3

<p>Any suggestions for Brandeis-like schools? I looked at Northeastern, GWU, and a few others as low matches/safeties, but none seem to give enough financial aid. That includes other schools I really like such as Carnegie Mellon. Basicallly I’m looking for good schools that are similar to Brandeis/Tufts/Georgetown and give the same level of financial aid. Of course, if I get into Tufts, Gtown, Brown, Cornell, etc. this would be irrelevant, but if it was that clear then I would be here, would I? :)</p>

<p>Do you really think I have a chance at Pomona? I’ve been looking at it as a pretty optimistic reach.</p>

4

<p>How do you know your chances of a full scholarship at Transylvania are so good? Have you applied for a certain scholarship there?</p>