Hi There!
I wanted to hear some of your opinions regarding my current standing for some of the schools I want to apply to given my very tricky situation. To start off, here are my most updated “Stats”
GPA UW 3.64
W 4.04
ACT:30
Here’s my problem, I attend a STEM-based high school where our courses although all labeled as honors with the exception of 4 AP are taught at a very high level that in other words would be very hard to explain but our teachers use the hardest course materials available but label our courses as honors for the sake of naming convention. (yes, I know it isn’t logical)
Recently I started stressing out regarding applications because of how in comparison to most people on here my stats aren’t the highest comparatively and I just wanted to ask what you guys felt are chances at schools such as
-Columbia ED
-WashU
-NYU
-GWU
Academics aside during HS I funded an international non-profit organization that works with children abroad through a skills-based program. This passion project has been what I devoted my entire free time these past couple years.
Aside from my NPO I am editor of school newspaper and yearbook
Recipient of numerous debate awards from (MUN & JSA)
I know this is an extremely long post (my first one to be exact) so I am very sorry for such a wordy response. I just wanted to see what you guys think are my chances at such schools given my not so perfect scores but tremendous work internationally and locally.
Even though your school labels most classes as “honors” even given their level of difficulty, I think the admissions officer assigned to your area/region will be aware that your honors classes are basically at the AP/etc level.
I dont only think this situation is tricky is because the only schools you listed are some of the top in the country. I assume you are applying ED to Columbia because you want to maximize your chance of acceptance. With a GPA and a 30 act it is very unlikely to be accepted to Columbia, WuSL but GW and NYU are options. If you are a junior in HS you have time to think about your choices for next year but if you’re a senior it will be tough. Look for some more target schools and safties. Hope this helps
B-)
Thanks for the input! Yes, I’m currently a senior and sorry for any miscommunication, the schools listed are entirely the ones that I consider to be reach schools that I wanted to give a shot. I am really hoping that essays and supplements make a dent of interest for the adcom. Right now just going to stay positive and try my best 
Honestly, your ACT about matches your UW GPA. I don’t think you are going to be cut any slack for HS difficulty because of that. I agree that Columbia is extremely unlikely, and WashU is a reach.
Do you recommend anything in particular to counteract GPA? Retake ACT? Totally open to any recommendations
It may be too late to retake ACT. And you’d have to score a lot higher on sections to get to a more competitive 34 composite. My son’s ACT composite went up from 32 to 34 (and SS 35) but he had to get 8 points net on the separate sections to achieve that.