What are my reaches/targets/safeties?

Chance Me / Match Me!
1

I’m a rising junior and I have no idea how to go about assembling a list of colleges. If I list some of my credentials, can people suggest colleges they think might be targets and safeties? Between HYPSM and the other ivies, I def have enough reaches. sigh

Academics:
My school has a really weird GPA system, but weighted, it’s still pretty low for the schools I was originally looking at :frowning: I have a 4.67 out of 5.2ish. I had straight A’s as a freshman, but as a sophomore, I had a B+ in APUSH and honors precalc. I got 5’s in APUSH and AP Lang. I haven’t taken SAT’s yet but my practice tests hover around 2210, with a 780 in writing, 750 in reading, and 680 in math… which I hope I can raise. So I imagine my final score to be a 2200 at worst, but if I start to really study and improve math, then MAYBE low 2300’s? Hopefully that’s not crazy… I don’t have subject test scores yet :frowning:

EC’s
I do a lot of the science fairs, so I’m hoping that makes up for my weak academics. I was a Google Science Fair regional finalist, an ISEF finalist and an I-SWEEEP silver medalist. I also do pretty well at my state fair. I founded a club that teaches science to elementary and middle schoolers. I also do the tennis team (JV) and I volunteer a bit at the local fishway. I did an internship at Mount Sinai Hospital.

I know I can probably get very good teacher rec’s and write a decent essay, as that’s one of my better subjects. But I’m really hoping my research can elevate the level of schools I should be looking at.

Btw, I have sibling legacy at Stanford, which is also currently my first choice. I know I won’t get in, but what are my chances? Should I apply early to an easier school? Thanks, sorry about the long post!!

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In order to truly advise you on your safety/match/reach school list, I kinda need more information. Making a college list is hard to do if you haven’t taken the SAT’s or the ACT yet. If Stanford is your dream school, work super hard junior year to make sure you GPA is really great. Do more internships and try and get a leadership role in a club at your school. You have really strong EC’s so continue to do more Science Fairs. Look at state colleges as your safeties, although you are already a pretty strong candidate so maybe look a bit higher? You could try SuperMatch and see where you fit in and what criteria you want your college to meet but don’t depend on it too much. If you get a 100% match for like Harvard, it does not mean you’re going to get in, so basically use the site with a grain of salt. Don’t get too worried about colleges just yet, you have a long year ahead of you so yeah just keep colleges in the back of your mind for now. Good Luck! I hope this helped :slight_smile: