*sigh* ...Chances...

<p>Okay, so, my college list has evolved, so... new chances thread.
My major concern for this thread is, "Do I have a balanced list?" To that end, what do you see as my safeties, matches, and reaches?</p>

<p>African-American Male</p>

<p>Objective:
GPA: 3.54 UW, academic only 9-11 (1st semester only)
3.59 UW, academic only 10-11 (1st semester only)
Rank: 9\95
PSAT: CR-80 M-66 W-80
SATII: 780 on Lit practice test; taking History and Biology M as well, and my counselor wants me to take Math 1
APs: Taking AP Lang, AP Lit, AP Bio, and APUSH this year
Note: My English teacher decided to sit me for the AP Lit exam a year early (I'll take the AP Lit class next year); she anticipates that I'll get 5s on both exams. </p>

<p>Most Difficult Courseload
4 APs Senior Year, and Honors Physics</p>

<p>ECs:
9,10,11-Three Theater Productions a year (avg. 8-10hrs a week, 30+ weeks a year)
9,10,11-International Thespian Society Individual Event Competition
10,11-International Thespian Society Individual Event National Qualifier
9,11-African American Read-In (11-featured role on one of the largest stages in my city)
10-TAPPS Academic Competition State Qualifier-Ready Writing
11-TAPPS Academic Competition State Qualifier-Ready Writing, Literary Criticism (1st, 2nd place at District)
10-State Qualifier: Future Problem Solving
11-2nd place at State: Future Problem Solving Scenario Writing
9,10,11-Concert Band
9,10,11-Pep Band, 1st Chair Trombone
10,11-Poetry (entering competitions, plan to submit short samples to substantiate)
10-Silver Award: National Spanish Exam</p>

<p>Work Experience:
10-Produced press reel and selected clips for onsite product spots for national Christian conference
11-Writing\TV Production internship at the same ministry-major duties included a marketing video for one part of the ministry and the ad campaign for one of the conferences
9,10,11-Various professional writing\editing (church video announcements, product spots, event spots)</p>

<p>Subjective:
Essays-Writing is my main academic focus; should be good.
Recs-At least one "Top few of my career" type, and one very good one.
Supp. Materials-short writing sample, video of my duet acting scene</p>

<p>Schools:
University of Chicago
Columbia University
University of Notre Dame
Johns Hopkins University
University of Texas Honors (In-State)
Swarthmore College
Kenyon College
Reed College
Rhodes College
Gordon College</p>

<p>My guess:</p>

<p>University of Chicago - match
Columbia University- reach
University of Notre Dame - match
Johns Hopkins University - match
University of Texas Honors - (In-State) safety
Swarthmore College - match
Kenyon College - match
Reed College - match
Rhodes College - match
Gordon College - match</p>

<p>Thanks for the chances. It's good to see a nice amount of matches on the list, although it might be time to go safety shopping again, just in case I decide that I can't deal with staying in Texas!</p>

<p>Any other opinions?</p>

<p><em>bump</em></p>

<p>----This has been an official bump, from the bump corps. We hope you have enjoyed this bump.</p>

<p>bump 10char</p>

<p>I would call Swarthmore and UChicago reaches as well, because of grades...but I'm sure you already know that. So you seem to have a balanced list of reaches, matches, and safeties.</p>

<p>Thanks so much! I had a feeling that Chicago wasn't a match--I see lots of 4.0s and 3.8s accepted around there, although I didn't know about Swarthmore (although it certainly makes sense based on its ranking\quality). And also, good about the balance. That's the goal for this whole college list thing!</p>