It sounds like you are actually going to apply next year, correct? Your list is a bit odd, with small LACs and larger Universities. Have you really thought through what kind/size school you are interested in? Have you done any visits? If not, I would visit several different sizes of schools and get a better feel for what you like. Here are my suggestions:
For Tulane: Apply early action (this is only good if you are a Junior now, which I am guessing since you state projected GPA). Your chances of getting in go way up. They are not at all a safety school for you, as their acceptance rate was down to 17% last year, likely to go down again this year.
For Rhodes: Also do early action. They are actually getting harder and harder, but with your stellar test scores, you should get in and get scholarship money, if that is important to you.
For additional safety schools: You didn’t really say what was important to you or even what your major is. Here are a few to consider and why:
Hillsdale: not a total safety, as their entry stats are great, but one of the best LAC in the country. They also have generous merit aid. The level of students here is very high. It is in a remote area in MI, which is a downside, but still a great school.
Hanover: definitely a safety for you, good LAC.
Union College: Small, very good LAC
Hobart & William Smith: Small, very good LAC.
Your GPA this year is going to be IMPERATIVE. GPA is the #1 item they look at, with testing usually 2nd. You are showing great growth, but will be against students that had great GPAs all 3 years. Also, take a rigorous load your Senior year. If you take a lot of APs it not only shows rigor, but it will raise your GPA, as regular decision schools will see that higher total. Pick one dream school and do ED, but make sure you visit that school before you apply for 2 reasons: 1. you want to be sure and 2. it shows interest.
Finally, do your essays over summer and get your apps in early. You can actually start your CA & resume now and I recommend it. The earlier a start you get, the better it will all turn out. They get more attention that way and you can actually focus on the essays instead of splitting your time with normal school work. Supplementals will not be out until early August, but you can call the schools and see if they are changing. Common App should announce soon if essays will stay the same this year. Good luck!
