Finalized College List Check (Ivy, etc)

Chance Me / Match Me
1

I am a rising senior looking to asses my chances on this list of schools so that I can finalize a list by when the common app opens.

My ACT score is a 34 (first try), which I am retaking to try and bring up the 30 I got in the math section.

My GPA is a 4.0 UW with 5 AP classes taken so far (AP Chem, Physics, Spanish, US History, English Language).
Next year I will be taking 5 AP classes next year (AP Statistics, English Literature, Biology, Environmental Science, US Government) and one class at above AP level (Spanish Capstone).
I have also taken Calculus at a local community college due to a scheduling conflict.
This is the most difficult course load available at my school.
I have a somewhat unique situation in terms of types of classes in that I am a member of a Dual-Immersion Program in Spanish and English that began in kindergarten and in that I am a member of the trial run of an Industrial Design class.

For ECs: I play two high school sports (basketball, soccer) at the JV level, I am the founder of my schools Women’s Rights Club and a member of Z-Club, I will likely by NHS treasurer next year, I am running for ASB president for next year, I participate in Link Crew, and I am a peer tutor (physics at the high school and general at the middle school).

My list of schools is:

Yale
UPenn
Swarthmore
Vanderbilt
Wesleyan
Scripps
Smith
Gettysburg
Soka University of America
Hendrix
University of Oregon

Does this seem like a balanced list? How likely am I to be admitted at each of these schools?

Thanks so much!

2

I am not too familiar with many of the colleges on the list but you have 4 reach schools in Yale, UPenn, Swarthmore, Vanderbilt. These are generally reaches for most people.
What state do you live in? Maybe add a couple more matches?

Also, side note: Don’t take the ACT again, it is not worth the effort. Even a 2 point increase to a 36 will not help you at all in admissions. Just relax and focus on the other parts of your app like SAT II’s which you are lacking right now.

3

Looks like a balanced list to me. Make sure the safeties are also financial safeties.

4

The list is fine, if you believe that you would be satisfied with any of the colleges in the lower portion of your list. I would have recommended one or two lower-reach and match colleges like Bryn Mawr (if Smith and Swarthmore appeal), Tulane, Emory, and Bucknell.

5

You have nice list of colleges. U of O for safety isn’t bad at all!
How much can you pay per year? Did you apply for FA?