<p>You have nothing to lose by applying to the Ivies (except application fee) so do it. The grade point will be working against you because these schools want to know their applicants are up to the very demanding workload they will find there. GPA is one way they determine your work ethic, so if you are indeed the lazy genius that you say you are, you might not be very happy at these ultra competitive schools.</p>
<p>Go down the scale of competitiveness a little. You might look at U S News and World Report’s college rankings, not because it’s all true, but because it will give you names and a view of how many schools are out there. If you are coming from such a unique background and have overcome some big hurdles, you have a perfect chance to tell perspective colleges about it in your application essay. Hopefully you’ve gotten help from school already with that. I’d take a really good look at Rice, it’s a fabulous school known for good financial aid and being sympathetic to URMs.</p>
<p>A 2400 AA has a GOOD chance anywhere. If you can somehow explain your GPA that would be nice. I would just add more schools. Harvard accepts so few students that you can’t trust it. With your stats I’d go HYPS then maybe some LACs for more target schools.</p>
<p>Go look at the book “The Best 371 Colleges.” They may have it at your public library. Read it. You will find lots of schools in there that will interest you.</p>
<p>The OP’s class rank is around the top 15%. I think something like 80-85% of Harvard admits are in the top 10% of their graduating class. You can look it up; maybe I’m wrong. But anyway, I don’t think the GPA itself will sink him considering the class rank is respectable. And obviously the stats are quite high and he has URM status. </p>
<p>You may be a good programmer, but you may want to think twice about MIT if you can’t get a 5 on the Calc AP. You have to take a lot of math-heavy engineering classes when you major in computer science there since the comp sci major shares the same core classes as electrical engineering.</p>
I’m glad you realize now that you’d be upset if those were your only options, and that you’d like to identify some realistic and attractive matches. I’d suggest you go to the College Search subforum [College</a> Search & Selection - College Confidential](<a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/college-search-selection/]College”>College Search & Selection - College Confidential Forums) and ask there. Simply post your stats, the schools where you’re already thinking of applying, what you’re looking for in a college, and humbly explain that you would like some suggestions for some lower reaches and matches.</p>
<p>The members who frequent that subforum are generally more mature and knowledgable than the (mostly) kids here.</p>
<p>You very well may be accepted to one of your reaches, but it won’t hurt to expand your search.</p>
<p>Sherpa’s advice sounds good. I’m not a kid, just a mom, but your answer about Rice was tremendously frustrating. Not because you don’t like Rice, but because you don’t say WHY you don’t like Rice. You’re going to get more useful advice if you figure out what’s important to you about a college and then tell the people who are trying to help you. It’s not wise to be so hooked on prestige that you can’t see past it. Good luck, you have huge potential, but now is not the time to be lazy.</p>
Well I didn’t like it because I go to College </em></strong>** and it looks like a school that is big into drinking…so yeah not into that stuff so crossed it off</p>
<p>There’s nothing wrong with College Pro wl er if you take into consideration what it is. It’s a website that takes SOME students opinions and posts them. Not all, or even the majority, but those who volunteer. It’s completely subjective and I’ve read some ranting posts from obviously disgruntled students that probably should be taken with a grain of salt. This website can be useful if you look at it along with some of the reputable college guides and the school websites.</p>
<p>You only have a week until most applications are due. I’d post this question on the parent’s forum also. I think you’ll get much more attention there as soon as Christmas is over. Again, good luck.</p>