Answered by Edward
First things first, don't worry too much. I worked in admission at a selective liberal arts college for four years and counseled a number of students in your situation. You will get in to college, and I have a feeling that you will get into a good one, too. Your grade trend is what schools would like to see (well, they would usually like to see a consistent grade trend across the board - but if there is going to be a change in direction, the change had better be upward, which you say you have). Keep your schedule rigorous, keep up your involvement. Most colleges are going to be looking at your transcript only through your junior year (but they will look at what classes you are taking your senior year). With that in mind, if your extracurriculars are overwhelming you so that you can't do as well in your classes, you need to focus on the classes and your grades. Take as many practice tests as possible (ACT and SAT) - there is nothing else that will prepare you as well as being familiar with the style of the test. Plan to take the test at the end of your junior year and again at the beginning of your senior year (before November). You list some amazing schools - and there are many others in your neck of the woods that I would strongly encourage you to consider - Northeastern, Bennington, Hampshire for example. Visit the schools, talk with the admission staff (they are nice, and their job is to help you apply to the school - use them!), and enjoy the process.