Oh, thereās tons out of Georgia that are safe.
I would never be surprised if you got into any on your reach either - but make sure they are the ārightā schools - not just highly ranked.
If you want to be in the city, donāt go to a rural place (and that includes UGA 
- in other words.
Youāve got this!!
If you really have no cost constraints, UC Berkeley College of Natural Resources would probably love your profile
What a cool and impressive resume!
Those schools are of course reaches for everyone, but I think you have a legit shot given the combination of your in-depth activities and excellent stats.
Are you looking for a place where you can also continue your music?
One piece of advice - err on the side of under-reporting hours rather than over-reporting. The āsometimes up to 30+ hours per weekā along with all your activities and school starts to sound a bit exaggerated. Iām not saying it is, but hopefully you get my point.
Best of luck!
Yes! One of the reasons that Iām so dead set on going to New York is because I do want to continue with music (Acting, dancing, singing, piano, and violin). I was thinking about double majoring at Columbia, however it seems like they require you to take 5 years of schooling in order to do that, which is why I am a little bit reluctant.
Also, I shouldāve probably mentioned that taking care of my grandmother was only during 9th and 10th grade, until she moved into an assisted living home. And the 30 hours a week was mainly during the summer, rather than during the school year. The description I wrote was very vague in order to be concise and not waste the AOs time by reading it, but I definitely see now that further details are needed. Thanks!
Might you consider other nearby schools then -
Fordham, Barnard (since you have Columbia), NYU (you have), Stony Brook - an hour outside - and has a Bachelor or Climate Science, Hofstra, Manhattan College, or Sarah Lawrence. Or schools in NJ with access to NYC - maybe Rutgers or NJIT?
How about a wildcard in the city which has performance I believe - and Environmental Studies with a Natural Science track - New School. Itās a unique place - one student I know left and transferred to Vandy.
Iām not suggesting any of these per se - maybe Stony Brook - but if being in NY matters.
Other cities have music - like New Orleans. Would a Tulane work? Or Memphis - would a Rhodes work? Or Nashville - I already mentioned Vandy.
Stony Brook and Rhodes would be safeties. Tulane statistically is - but their admissions are unpredictable.
Or how about the Boston schools - Tufts has an Env Science major and loves full pay. Or BU or BC - all a reach but.
If you have a passion to continue, that would be awesome.
Schools like UMN would be a home run in both. Pitt too perhaps.
For mid size privates, how about a Case Western.
Must it be NY??
Lawrence U is known for music - itās an LAC - and also has environmental science. Itās not city-ish though like Rhodes.
Macalester is more urban - canāt tell if they are heavy in science vs studies - but itās a prestige school.
Occidental too.
I canāt imagine you wouldnāt get into Mac, Rhodes, or Oxy - and all are urban as far as LACs - and music might work.
How about USC?? It combines Env Science with health so might not be right.
I guess what Iām asking is - can you pursue your performance hobbies in other places?
One more - I know someone who did Theatre at SMUā¦they have envi science too - so maybe that works?
Are you hoping to double major or minor in music etc? If so, you need to make sure the school is one that makes this possible to do. Lawrence was suggested. Itās a great school that does support these double majors.
Have you considered Connecticut College? There are many options for non-majors to continue arts studies. And here:
Forfham seems like actually perfect for what Iām looking for(especially on the arts side). Ideally, I would love to have a career in the arts, yet since the arts industry can be super unpredictable, I have kind of chosen Environmental Science as a more sustainable income source (though I am still incredibly passionate about the environment) while I try to pursue the arts. The arts is my reason for wanting a big city, New York city obviously being a hub for the arts. Rutgers was also one Iād been looking at.
Thank you for bringing up the point of New Orleans. Iāve always loved their culture, plus, itās far enough away from home that I can feel more independent, but I still have relatively quick access to my family if needed (at least closer than New York). Iāve wanted to stay out of California (Idk why, just bad vibes I guess 
) But Yes, my hobbies are able to be pursued elsewhere, but New York is where Broadway is, plus Columbia is literally on Broadway so that honestly seemed like the ideal choice.
I did want to double major, and have found that most colleges allow this, but they will make you take an extra year. That is not something I really want to do so I have to weight the costs and rewards.
I hope you will consider doing a music supplement with recording/video, music resume and a letter or two of recommendation related to music. If justified, a music supplement can be very helpful with admissions.
There may be other outside letters (for other interests and accomplishments) that will support you but ask the schools what they accept.
Interesting that you omitted Harvard. Is there a reason? It looks like you have a lot of Ivies in that list.
If you are female, look into Barnard. You might also consider Vassar. I always like the schools on the Colleges that Change Lives site ctcl.org
There are LACās that would fit your needs. Obvious choices, given the type of list you have, would be ālittle Iviesā (you can google those) like Amherst, Williams, Wesleyan, Tufts, Bowdoin, Middlebury etc. Also Oberlin, Macalester, Emory, Kenyon (for writing), Davidson, many others.
It seems some state uās are good for environmental studies. UMass Amherst is one. Others have been mentioned above.
Honestly, Environmental Science can also be unpredictable and low paying - or grad school requiring.
Thereās a lot of places where the arts are big - out West, even Dallas (SMU has a great program) and more. Most cities have lots of performance opportunities although itās true, NYC is second to none.
Check into New School - itās not traditional.
Northeastern has taken over Marymount Manhattan - Iām not sure what that looks like.
The coursework in Environmental Studies looks science heavy. You might check with Northeastern to see how the new program will operate (they bought the school).
Rutgers is great too - of course.
Really look at each possible school - for - can you both study and perform, etc. and what are your odds - i.e. is it open to all or just to theater majors, etc.
Really narrow in on the all things important to you.
And yes, Broadway is in NY but most cities have a performance aspect. I know of a Vandy grad who performed in Nashville his entire time - wrote plays, performed and works in the performance arts locally.
So I wouldnāt think itās NYC or bust.
Marymount Manhattan College - Major: Environmental Studies, B.A. (1917), 42 Credits
Definitely submitting a piano supplemental, maybe also voice. I had kind of a funny question about this though. If I arranged and preformed a recording of the schoolās fight song (so for Columbia itād be āRoar, Lion, Roar!ā), would this at all help me? Or does that just make me look like a suck up.
Iāve always heard that anything over 3 Rec Letters (2 teachers, 1 counselor) is overkill and wonāt be looked at favorably; I was however, planning on getting my Bio Teacher and Chorus Teacher as my recommenders. My Bio Teacher Iāve known for 6 years, and weāve completed many unique personal projects together, plus another super unique thing that I donāt want to say cause itās a little revealing. And my chorus teacher also plays piano and knows me well for that, plus I eat lunch around/with him every day, he also does the music for each school musical and sees me a lot there.
Lastly, Iām very superstitious, and when something feels off, I just donāt have anything to do with it lol. Thatās why I am not applying anywhere in California, and also why Iām not applying to Harvard. I just couldnāt see myself there. The only top college that I have a good reason for not applying to is UPenn because Iāve heard about all the pre-professional culture there, and it just seems like everyone is so stressed.
Yeah, Iāve been saying that I want to study Environmental Science, but I think thatās really just a broader term which could encompass all Earth Sciences, Sustainability Sciences, and Environmental Engineering (Which is probably the most high paying of all of these).
Now I understand what you were saying about āNew Schoolā. Because of the unique name, it got lost in your wording and I could tell which college you were talking about lol. I looked into it and it definitely does seem nice, so Iāll keep it in mind. A few of the cons though are that some reviews say that the school sometimes lets politics get in the way of the actual education (which is also a con of Columbia), but also that the dorms arenāt great either (which is something Iām big on). I do like non-traditional schools which is yet another reason why Iām interested in Columbia and their Core Curriculum, as it could allow me to become more well-versed and knowledgeable.
Iāve been looking a lot into different colleges in New Orleans and that is starting to be a higher possibility for me. Nashville is definitely not the type of arts I like, so thatās off the table, but I am also going to look into some places in Chicago.
There are some great schools where you can double major in music and a separate major without taking an extra year. (Dual degree programs however do require an extra year). The Music Major Forum on CC is AMAZING. Suggest posting there. Youāll get very informed responses.
Typically schools want 2 academic recs - so I wouldnāt do Chorus. Some might allow an additional though. Given youāre studying a science, I would do one STEM and one Humanities or Social Science. Some schools like them grade 11.
Columbia says - Columbia requires two teacher recommendations. These recommendations must come from teachers who taught you in academic disciplines. For applicants to Columbia Engineering, one of the teacher recommendations must come from a math or science teacher.
MIT says - We recommend one evaluation from a math/science teacher, and one from a humanities, social science, or language teacher.
Duke says We require three letters of recommendation for each applicant: one from your school counselor and two from teachers who have taught you in major academic courses (English, mathematics, social studies, sciences, world languages), preferably within the last two years of secondary school.
But then Duke also says - You can submit one Personal Recommendation from an employer, mentor, or anyone else who knows you well and can give us a better idea of who you are. So that could be chorus.
You might look at each school of interest - or each reach school - so you can ensure you request the most detailed level - somewhere I saw asks for 11th gradeā¦so that you arenāt having to ask moreā¦that you can be more efficient.
Consider applying to top need aware colleges, as your lack of need would be a boost there. E.g. BU, Tufts, and Northeastern are urban and need aware.
Oberlin has a very strong music program and offers an environmental science major.
Look at dual degree/double major programs here: Dual Degree Music Programs | What You Need to Know
I would suggest that you choose music that really shows your vocal excellence. IMO most fight songs just wonāt do that (Columbiaās is not one I would choose). If you choose to do a music supplement, perhaps discuss what this should be with your current voice teacher. Or whatever instrument.
Iām not sure that schools will allow you to send more than one supplement, so choose the one that shows you at your best (againā¦not sure a fight song is the choice).
Are you planning to enjoy seeing shows, or do you hope to audition for shows? Also, if you want to major in one of these arts, are you hoping to get a BFA, because in most cases you will need to audition for these BFA programs.
There are plenty of places where you can see the arts, take private lessons outside of college, sing in a high level church choir (for example), and have opportunities for undergrads of any major to be in arts organizations.
Yale, for example, had numerous opportunities for undergrads to be in performance groups, and you could get a BA in music (for example) as a double major there.
Iām not sure why you think you will have more performance opportunities yourself at Columbia. Simply putā¦itās not likely that you will be auditioning and performing in Broadway shows. That process takes a lot of time.
If you want to get a performance degree AND an environmental sciences degree from Oberlin, you will need to audition and be accepted to the conservatory AND apply to and be accepted to the college. There are many students at Oberlin who do this. But as you noted, for two degrees like this, it will take at least an additional semester.
My S24 is a stem major at an LAC and also an advanced musician who is not a music major but is involved in all aspects of music at his school. You can do music at any Ivy/LAC without being a music major and adding extra time. The dual degree program at Columbia is with Juilliard and highly competitive. Send a music supplement that showcasts your best and highest ability. This will help you with admissions.
And I am sure that you realize that Columbia is on a very different part of Broadway than true Broadway. If you are intested in MT/Acting being a big city actually does not help in any way. if you are interested in seeing performances then NYC is the place to be!
Did you look into Emory? They have a fantastic music program that does not add time to your degree and you may be a candidate for one of their scholarships.
I definitely do want to see shows, but also audition, or even be an accompanist. I know itās nowhere near Broadway, but as a kid (10-11 yrs/old) I was in the national tour for a certain Broadway show so I have a little bit more of an understanding of the industry experience than others. I know itās still extremely unlikely, but you never know :D) Also, Columbia has an acapella group that I was interested in joining. Columbia, Yale, and MIT are my top 3 choices, Yale is probably second on that list. It seems like Yale is better for Visual arts, while Columbia is better for Preforming arts.
Do you think that the super competitive arts people are going to be applying to schools like this? Or would they apply to more schools that are specifically considered conservatories, like Ithica College, Juliard, Oberlin, etc.