<p>Definitely mostly reaches, but as you point out extenuating circumstances. A parent dying junior year must have been really rough. You do have URM going for you - and sibling at Yale. You also seem to have a good connection via summer debate w/ Northwestern. ACT is definitely on the low side. Did you take SAT 2s at all? Cornell depends on part which college you applied to. Some easier than others to get in. UMiami, American and Connecticut College should be a match - given your ECs. If first semester grades are excellent, GW and Grinnell could come through, too. You might want to add a couple of ‘safeties’ to the list unless you’d be happy w/ DePaul Honors Program in which case you’ve got that covered. Truly, you sound focused and driven - EC like Illinois State Ed Advisory Board are impressive. I’d say go for it - just have a few safeties in your pocket. Good luck - and report back.</p>