OOS California Student Looking at Schools in the South-What are My Chances?

<p>The South has heavily influenced my college making decision and will most likely be the only region in the United States where I apply. (I am currently a junior)</p>

<p>I have looked at many schools in the south over the past couple of years such as Baylor, TCU, Texas A&M, SMU, and UT in Texas; Auburn in Alabama, USC and Clemson in South Carolina, UGA and GSU in Georgia; and I am also interested in Ole Miss in Mississippi and possibly University of Alabama.</p>

<p>The schools that really stood out to me were Auburn, Clemson, GSU & Ole Miss, TCU, and Baylor. </p>

<p>My GPA as of right now weighted is a 3.8 and my best ACT Score is a 24.(I am basically on the low bar for most of these schools) In most situations, I am unlikely to qualify for financial aid and my grades aren't good enough for scholarships. </p>

<p>Schools under 30,000 people really appeal to me and I am drawn into schools that have good football and good Greek life. I've heard that TCU and SMU students are snobby and to me there might be too many Californians that go there(I'm trying to venture beyond where typical Southern Californians go like NAU, U of A, etc.) I really liked Auburn it seemed like the perfect school when I visited, but I just don't know my chances of getting in. </p>

<p>I have been doing community service volunteer work at a therapeutic center since Freshman year; did 120 hours of community service going into my freshman year, have maintained a job since April (and will most likely keep it until I graduate high school), and are in clubs at school that do philanthropic events. </p>

<p>How realistic is it for me to make any of these schools in the South/could anyone possibly describe their personal experiences at one of these schools?</p>