I 100% agree with this. I think that you’ve made yourself a very attractive candidate that many colleges would love to have. And though I think your odds are better than most others with respect to the schools on your list, these are not locks for admission. The most important schools on your list are those that meet these three conditions: 1) extremely likely to admit you, 2) extremely likely to be affordable, and 3) that you would happily enroll in and attend for four years. I generally recommend having at least two of those schools on your list, as to guarantee a choice come spring.
Sadly, I have seen some high school students with amazing backgrounds who applied to a large number of schools that are reaches for even the best candidates, and then to their state flagship or similar as a “safety” thinking that they would never have to go there. And then once everything shook out, their only option was their safety and they were dreading going or trying to find other options at the last minute or already looking to transfer before they stepped foot on campus. I would hate for that to be you (or anyone)…so please make sure that every school you apply to is one that you would be happy to attend for four years, and that you have at least one (and preferably at least two) schools that are sure things.
I think your legacy boost at Brown or Penn would likely result in admission if you apply ED; for HYPS, your chance may be up to 50% with an early application, but not any higher.
I just sat next to a woman on a flight whose child got into an incredible number of top schools. So it is doable, with a number of prestigious accomplishments like yours. But yes, keep your options open. Start to visit some schools to see what you like/ don’t like. Good luck.
It seems likely alumni of your high school are attending these colleges. Look them up for a frank discussion when you visit. And leave your parent elsewhere if you want full candor.
