More about me and my application:
I play soccer since I am 6 years old, I speak 5 languages, I played tennis for 4 years, I organized a soccer tournament for underprivileged kids in Colombia and I am helping officially since 1.5 years older people. In addition to that I did an internship when I was 15 years old. Furthermore I am also a first generation low income student.
I really like USC, Vanderbilt and Georgetown but I don’t know if I’m “good enough”.
You likely won’t get in - but so what. Those are your stretch. Put your best foot forward.
Then you need to find match and safety.
The problem is your GPA is low - and it outweighs the test score at most.
There are also great “safeties” out there for you - Alabama, Arizona, Arkansas, Mizzou, Hofstra (private), West Virginia - they give great merit - and then match schools - Indiana, Pitt.
Are you a US citizen or permanent resident? If not you are considered international and things become much harder. Many schools do not give financial aid to internationals. I think many of the schools listed in the prior post will be unaffordable for an international low income student.
I am a US citizen
Agree^
Apply to schools in the South and Midwest if you hope to receive some financial aid.
Look at the websites and see if they provide scholarships to international students. Many don’t provide funding.
The schools are very competitive.
Thank god I’m a US citizen…
Are you living in the US?
Your written language skills posted here do not correspond with a US citizen, living currently, in the US.
No I’m not living in the US, I have lived my whole life abroad. That’s why I speak 5 languages but I have the birthright citizenship.
The most important thing for anyone her to know is WHY you like those three schools. In any way other than perceived reputation, they are VERY different. What unites the three for you? once other posters understand that, they can guide you to dafeties and matches.
And…congrats on not being one to post and ghost! Too many start threads and never interact with them. You will get MUCH better advice by being involved. Good job!
3.5 weighted or unweighted? If your freshmen year is bringing down your GPA, look at UCs or Cal States, idk comparable schools to vanderbilt, apply to American & GW if you want DC.
I’m personally not a fan of UCs from OOS because they are too expensive for classic large lecture type research institutions. They are an awesome deal instate.
I probably wouldn’t look at CSUs either from OOS because you can do as well at your home state schools. There’s one exception…Cal Poly. It’s still under $200k OOS and they have a very unique way of educating their students, especially engineers.
The GPA is unweighted. I don’t know if the college admissions take into consideration that I am attending high school (gymnasium) in Germany since classes here are way harder than regular classes in an American high school. It’s comparable with AP classes. So basically all my classes are on AP level but I obviously don’t get the credit.
You didn’t answer why those three schools made your list.
You can write it in the - do you have anything to tell us section.
Again, you’re ok to apply to your stretches - but they are unlikely as is a stretch for anyone - you will make you in life - not the school - so come up with suitable alternatives in both fit and finance.
There’s thousands of schools.
I really like Business, political science and economics. Furthermore it’s always a mix of reputation, academics, major and location. For example being a political science major at Georgetown and living in DC would fit very good. For USC and Vanderbilt I also really like the location.
Back to eyemgh question - why those 3 schools.
One is large in LA, the others are mid size in Nashville and Baltimore but very different.
What are your hot buttons - cost, size, major, etc.
I assume geographically you’re rather open.
I suggested them because OP was considering USC, which is arguably just as if not more overpriced than UCs or CSUs if you don’t get a scholarship. (I have heard a few bad stories about fin aid). Not sure what OP is looking to study but Cal Poly isn’t always the best fit. Agree that we can all be more helpful if we know why they like the schools they listed.
UMich
American
George Washington
Howard?
the claremont consortium schools aren’t in LA but are excellent, def worth an application
Grinnell, not because of what you said but because they are so international heavy (even though you aren’t international you are coming from an international school), & give aid without loans
IU Kelly
UVA
I referred to CP only in terms of value. 
Nashville vs. LA…pretty different. Plus, USC is not in a good part of LA.
Dig a little deeper.