<p>In response to the idea that I was giving “contradictory advice”, I think that there is no harm in the OP applying to a reach school. That’s why they are reach schools. When I said OP should be realistic about his chances, I meant that he should not bank on getting into Brown if his GPA is low, and should obviously apply to match and safety schools he would be equally happy at. I don’t think “going for it” while “still being realistic” are contradictory at all, quite frankly. It just describes pretty much all of Ivy League and other top school admissions.</p>