FGCU isn’t what I think of when I think CS and quirky in Florida - I think of NCF (the state’s honors college.)
FGCU is the Florida university that decided to cut courses and academic investment in order to build a football team. They justified it by saying they know who they recruit (presumably, kids more interested in watching football than in academics.)
So, apply to FGCU but keep in mind it’s not the college where you’ll have lots of peers. You should absolutely apply to UF, FSU, and UCF or Famu or usf, in addition to NCF. Give yourself instate choices.
You can find your own community at college - in fact, LACs are built on the premise of close knit communities. You’d get lots of support. And fortunately there are lots of them in New England.
I’d make a pitch here for Grinnell, because they meet full need, are very wealthy, offer a close knit community, are very strong for science, and you’d be URM there.
For CS or Engineering, look at Smith, Scripps (national model for women in CS), wpi, RPI, Union, Lafayette, Case Western, Rose Hulman.
I understand the challenges of attending a low performing school and your 29 is quite respectable. It’s well above the requirements for Questbridge and I bet it’s well above the school average (in Florida low performing schools that average may be 17, perhaps 18 at best.) Check whether the school average’s on your school profile as it’ll help you at your selective, non Florida colleges - showing how strong your profile is ‘in context’.
That being said w add the MIT application as a cherry on the cake, after you’ve applied to all other colleges. Go read the results thread on this website to have an idea.
My guess also is that your list of colleges derived from doing it all yourself, without much guidance from parents or GC. College confidential is very good at suggesting colleges that are good fits and potentially affordable.
What’s your EFC?
A 3.9/4.9 is terrific - it means almost straight As. Keep at it, having good grades is essential.
Florida has an excellent system whereby all students with minimum qualifications (which you exceed) can take community college classes for free. Take advantage of that.
Can you list he classes you’ve taken so far in highschool, by subject ?
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