<p>do you think a school like Amherst is too much of a reach for me?</p>
<p>It's too early to tell. Yes I think Amherst might be a big reach, given you'll have 4 AP's (great but many Amherst kids take a lot more) and your good but not stellar test scores. But you never know.
On the other hand, I'd also say your scores with a little work can be brought up to 1400 or at least 2000 on the new test, plus you're in the top 10%. As such I'd view Muhlenberg, Drew, and Juniata as safeties.
There are loads of great schools "between" Amherst and these 3, you've gotten some good suggestions here.</p>
<p>Might look at Colgate or Holy Cross both very good schools with great alumni networks. Holy Cross doesn't have fraternity scene. Also HC has nice location for a LAC-only 1 hour from Boston.</p>
<p>would Bowdoin be more reasonable for a reach for me? Sorry I have a hard time figuring out what is reasonable and what is not</p>
<p>I would shy away from Colgate if you don't like a frat scene. </p>
<p>Bowdoin would probably be a reasonable reach. If you don't do well on SATs, either Bowdoin of Bates (don't remember which) doesn't require you to send them.</p>
<p>How do you edit? because I would like to add Carnegie Mellon to my list of is it a reasonable reach?</p>
<p>If Bowdoin or Bates does not use SATs, is there a more heavy emphasis on GPA?</p>