<p>Backround: I had poor grades in high school, which sabotaged my ability to get into the sort of school at which i had always envisioned myself spending my college days. I have been planning this for a long time, but now that its down to the wire (sort of) i feel kind of panicked and breathless and out of ideas. Any help and suggestions would be immeasurably helpful</p>
<p>I am a sophomore at a top-40 LAC in the mid-atlantic region.</p>
<p>GPA:3.87</p>
<p>SAT:1430/1600 v. 800 m. 630</p>
<p>Ethnic Backround: jew from the deep south (not atlanta!)</p>
<p>ECs: normal stuff like involvement in college newspaper, radio, treasurer of a club, hillel, involved in a fraternity etc.</p>
<p>Major: European History and German or International Affairs (or some variant thereof. My school has no such major.)</p>
<p>I am applying to:
Brown
Cornell
Columbia
UPenn
UVA
Georgetown
WashU
Northwestern
Wesleyan
Oberlin
NYU</p>
<p>and possibly Harvard, just because I have heard that legacy means something there, and i have two uncles who went. </p>
<p>I would be applying as a junior.
I realize that alot of these schools are reaches, and pretty ambitious all around, but I really don't want to screw this up, so i would love it if anyone has any comments as to my chances, suggestions about other schools, or any other advice.</p>
<p>I would prefer it if you stayed away from Wesleyan since I really want to go there and you have good stats. :D</p>
<p>Still, you should cut your list down as it's too many schools, in my opinion. Can you see yourself writing a great, compelling essay for each of those school as to why it is "the one." If not, you may just be wasting money - as I'm beginning to find out with some of the schools on my list. </p>
<p>I think you've got a good shot at UVA, G-town, WashU, Wesleyan, Oberlin, and NYU. The others are possibilities as well, just harder.</p>
<p>I think you are very strong and, using the needed major as your reason for transfer, you have a strong case. So, I'm guessing it all comes down to (1)how well you articulate your case and your in-depth knowledge of why each school is the right place for you (see brand's qx re whether you can do that well for so many schools); (2) your recommendations.</p>
<p>Despite your strength, if you would not be happy with your current school as the safety/fallback, you need one or two safer schools. Since I haven't checked the stats on all of your schools, you <em>may</em> already have them - but if none of them have 40% or higher transfer accept rates, add a couple which do if you don't want to stay where you are.</p>
<p>wesleyan has a 40% transfer acceptance rate, but I wouldn't call it a safety for most.</p>
<p>It's too bad New York doesn't have a really good state school...although Boston University has a 30% transfer rate, I would consider it a safety for you.</p>
<p>I'm not up on schools with strength in your particular major, but looking at your list and trying to come up with schools a little less selective but good, George Washington, UMd-College Park and American U come to mind.</p>