<p>Let’s be real here though. OP can WANT to go UChicago and Columbia (and maybe get in), but those are tough ass schools. Some back-ups that are still prestigious:</p>
<p>New York: NYU, Sarah Lawrence, Bard
Boston: BU, NEU (already given, but reiterating), BC
San Francisco: UC Berkeley
LA: UCLA (though it’s not really in the city, only in sucky Westwood), USC (again, not really in LA - but closer to downtown than UCLA)
Sacramento: UC Davis
DC: Georgetown (already mentioned), American University, George Washington University</p>
<p>What is your SAT I score and major, by the way? It can help us gauge things even better.</p>