Please help!!Where can I go?

<p>Hi:) Applications for early decisions are getting closer and I want to get started on my supplementary essays but I can't choose a school for early decision!!I don't want to aim for a school that I don't even have a chance with but I also don't want to decide on a college that I might regret later. So please chance me, cuz I really have no idea what colleges I have a chance of getting in! I'm thinking about Cornell or Columbia, but I know those are really tough schools and I'm considering other options. btw I'm female and an international student.</p>

<p>GPA : 3.84/4.00 4.81/5.00
-> My freshman GPA is very low.. but I started studying on the second semester as a junior and my GPA increased greatly!! I had a C in calculus when in the first semester as a junior but I worked really hard and ranked #1 on calculus during my senior year.</p>

<p>SAT : 2310 (Math:760 CR:800 Writing:750)
I took the test three times and this is the score of my last test!</p>

<p>SAT2 :
U.S. History - 800
Math level 2 - 800
English Literature - 800
Chinese with Listening - 750</p>

<p>AP :
U.S. History - 5
Calculus BC - 5
Calculus AB subscore - 5
Eng Lit&comp - 5
Eng Lang&comp - 5
Chinese - 5
Mac Econ - 5
Mic Econ - 5</p>

<p>Activities :
-Essay writing club - we have one publication of a book of essays
-Movie review club - I entered as a member of this club on my senior year and I participated in the publication of two movie review magazines
-Vocal club - I spent most of my time here and we opened one concert and recorded two albums and sold them(the money was sent to charity) I participated in this club for three years. Apart from activities as a club member I individually entered a national competition and won a silver medal (second place-I received an award from the British ambassador for this). I also opened a fund-raising concert with friends who are club members of other performance clubs. The money was sent to charity.
-Musical club - I didn't really spend much time here, but I did participate in a musical held at a hospital.
-Book publication - I wrote and published one during my freshman year. It's a book of poetry. Apart from this, I entered several essay contests and won a few awards.
-Class Vice President
-I also received a prize of academic recognition from my province's superintendent of the Department of Education
-received the freshman scholarship award from my school
-Internship at a big airline 30hrs, at a debate championship as a staff member
-wrote a column on english literature for a prominent newspaper(prominent in my country)
-black belt in Taekwondo
-Participated in a debate competition and won 2nd prize, but debate isn't really the main focus of my activities.</p>

<p>Volunteer work :
English education at a library - for over a year and a half
Helping a disabled elderly(about 60hrs)
Music therapy for the disabled</p>

<p>Thinking about - Columbia and Cornell, but I'm not sure!!
I'm not applying for financial aid.</p>

<p>Well, this is pretty much all of what I did during highschool. I'm thinking of schools like Columbia and Cornell, but I'm really worried that my GPA isn't qualified for these schools. I really want to apply to either Columbia or Cornell, but I'm not sure if I have a chance at these schools and even if I do, I have no idea which of the two I should apply to. I'm also open to other school choices so if you have suggestions, I'll be very thankful.</p>

<p>I don’t think your GPA is low enough to truly hinder your chances, especially since your SATs and other scores are so high. I think you could probably get into both places so I wouldn’t choose a school based on the chances of you getting in. They are very different schools; and after all, you will be applying to both so if you don’t get into one you still may get into the other. Luck!</p>

<p>Thanks!! but I heard that students have a better chance on Early Decision?? is this right? I really want to choose the right school for Early Decision cuz my counselor said it’ll be almost impossible for me to get into these schools during regular, especially because I’m an international student.</p>

<p>Haha why do you even ask, for you i’d suggest Columbia though. Go ED or EA whichever they offer.</p>

<p>I’d apply early to Cornell, where you have the better chance of acceptance. Your GPA is more of an issue at Columbia because it has the more competitive applicant pool of the two schools.</p>

<p>Yes, that’s what I heard from my counselor. What about Brown?? Though I already heard that Brown is harder. Do you think GPA is the deciding factor in most universities?</p>