Should I even bother applying to some of these top tier schools?

Chance Me / Match Me!
1

<p>So here's the thing, I know that ivy league/ top tier schools are really reaches for everyone, but my question is are they just dreams for me? As in not even reaches?</p>

<p>Here are the schools I was thinking about:</p>

<p>Yale University (95% sure that I will apply SCEA here)
Harvard
Princeton
University of Pennsylvania
Brown University
Duke University</p>

<p>Intended Major: Molecular Biology, Biochemistry w/ possibility of a minor in poli sci or women/gender studies</p>

<p>Objective:
PSAT: 218
SAT I:2120
ACT: 35 composite, 36 superscore
Unweighted GPA : 3.97/4.0
Weighted GPA(only AP courses are weighted):4.4/4.0</p>

<p>AP Scores :
AP Human Geo (5),
APUSH (4),
AP Econ (4 for both),
AP Lang (5)
AP Physics B (3),
AP Chem (3),
Calc BC (4, 5 AB subscore) </p>

<p>Awards:
--- Scholarship
HOSA State Finalist </p>

<p>Senior Year Courseload: Calc 3, Scientific Research, AP Lit, AP Bio, AP Physics C, Photography </p>

<p>Extracurriculars:
Medical Club- Member 9-12th grade
HOSA- Treasurer, 11/12th grades
Fundraising Club- PR/founding member, 12th grade
SNHS- Founder/President, 12th grade
Political Internship- summer between 11th and 12th grade</p>

<p>I'm currently working on setting up a research internship to start at the end of this month. </p>

<p>The reason I made this post is because my grades went slightly down this past (junior) year, and my AP scores went down too, both due to a significant period of depression. I'm not making this post for an ego boost, its just that I've known people with perfect grades/scores get rejected and everyone I've known who's gotten into these schools have the perfect grades and scores in addition to something other amazing quality. I'm just worried because I don't have any particularly outstanding awards either. </p>

2

<p>It can’t hurt to apply, but your chances are about average (7-15% of getting into at least one depending on how many you apply to). I would recommend apply early decision to either duke, upenn, or brown because then you will have a boosted chance.</p>

3

<p>Thanks for the reply. That’s basically what I was hoping for. I thought about doing that at for those schools, but my problem is they are ED. While I like all of the schools I listed, none of them are my first choice, so I don’t want to commit to any school.</p>

4

<p>I don’t see why you’d have a lower chance than anyone else. Your test scores, GPA, and course rigor are fine, and you’ve got some nice EC’s going for you. ED would significantly boost your chances, but if you’re that on the fence, then I think SCEA will still give you a shot. A small shot though. Either way, they’re definitely reaches for you, and you should apply.</p>