@MYOS1634 Yeah I’m gonna do some self taught pre calculus this summer so I don’t fall behind next year.
I asked and they are gonna let me check a book out for the summer.
A choice to a top 50 college would definitely be awesome. 
We will see, my GPA might end up holding me back even if I do get a 33-34 on the ACT.
Here is another visit program
https://apps.carleton.edu/admissions/visit/TOC/ applications due Sept 3
oops that was already on the list
Stony brook
I would disregard the recommendation of SUNY Stony Brook. The poster is a student who doesn’t seem to have taken your requirements into account.
I’ll check into visiting programs soon. Thanks for all the links.
@MannyG1 Best of luck. Definitely try for Northeastern. Great school. Good location and internships. Also geographic diversity could work in your favor. A few years ago WPI wanted anyone from North Dakota so they’d have all fifty states. Find a way to get that Pre-Cal. Could be taken online if needed???
@gearmom Im gonna be taking AP calculus to try to counter the pre calculus grade. Also I’m having my counciler explain it.
I’ll self teach myself pre calculus over the summer.
@MannyG1 You are going to do really well. My son used Khan Academy which is a free online math help site when learning Calculus. They have help for both AP Calculus tests. (and also Pre Cal)
@SnowballCity ummm what?
This is the list I came up with after doing my research on colleges
High Reach - WUSL *(ED), Cornell, Vanderbilt *(ED 2)
Lower Reach/Match - Colby, Grinnell, Lafayette, Lehigh, Northeastern, Franklin and Marshall, UNC Chapel Hill, U of Richmond, U of Rochester, Case Western
Safety - U of A Honors, UCA (both would be full tuition paid)
Is this a realistic list with my stats?
I would suggest keeping Rice on your list. It has an LAC feel while also being a major research institution, and they would probably give you good financial aid.
I’d switch Cornell with Rice.
Beside UArk Honors, apply to UAlabama Honors (app is usually up around mid July and once admitted to can apply to Honors and Honors-within-Honors) and Hendrix (much better academically than UCA, go visit, register with Admissions.)
I’d remove UNC Chapel Hill because it’s incredibly selective from OOS (only 18% students can be from OOS including legacies and athletes).
OP you seem to be doing an amazing job trying to put together your list! I know you say you would be happy with your safeties but I would still encourage you to find some schools that are actual matches. The remainder of your list still looks like a range of reaches to me. I am fully immersed in trying to put together a list for my own S18 and although his stats are higher than yours, I would still consider your list to range from difficult to impossible for him to get in to.
Although a first semester A would in AP Calc would certainly help mitigate the Pre Calc D, applications will be submitted before the semester ends, especially any ED or EA apps.
You say that your GC will explain the D. In what way? Did everyone get a D or F? If so, and the teacher was dismissed why did the school do nothing to address the grades? If the GC can’t state that the whole class suffered the same fate then I think any explanation will only make it worse. It was only a single semester class? What were your options for the second semester? I am asking these questions because I think they are same questions admissions will be asking themselves, so will the GC be able to address all of that?
@MannyG1 For the safeties, is the cost of room and board affordable for your family?
Your ED choices are great colleges. Have you found out if they are cut throat weed out kinds of places for premed? You are very smart and driven, capable of rising to the occasion. However, your high school seems underwhelming and the first couple of semesters you could be swimming with sharks.
Your list is ok for now but let it be flexible.
I haven’t spoken to my GC in-depth about the explanation, I’ll ask her about that on Monday.
This list is just a rough outline of what I will do, in the end I’ll have more targets, I might have too many reaches but then again I’d be happy with my safeties so it might be worth a shot to go for a variety of reaches.
Would getting to a 33-34 improve my chances significantly?
I think in Arkansas a 34 gives you a special state scholarship.
@MYOS1634 Its a 32 I already qualify for it.
Doesn’t 34 give you something on top of 32?
I don’t think so. Its called the governors scholarship and its a 32 to qualify.
I wouldn’t do ED or any binding acceptances in your case. Because your parents less than 50k a year even in full need schools your FA package may not be as generous because you are committing to go if you’re accepted no matter what.