A Question of Possibility

College Search & Selection
1

<p>Well, I'm currently a HS Junior, and just now starting to explore what colleges I actually want to attend. As of now, however, I'm quite unsure what caliber of colleges I could actually qualify for.</p>

<p>I live Phoenix, AZ, so the typical ASU/UA are a given - in fact, they're required to accept the top 25% of Arizona graduates. I'm currently in the top 10% of my class, but currently trying to regain my spot in the top 5%. I have a 3.6GPA unweighted, and my school doesn't calculate weighed GPA at all. I'm currently taking AP Calc A/B, with plans to take B/C next year. I've taken AP Physics (B), AP Euro (A), AP US History (A), and plans for AP Comp & Lit and AP Calc AB and BC, for a total of 6 AP classes, which are almost all the ones offered at my school. I haven't, however, taken the AP exam for Physics and US History as I missed the deadline (the teachers barely even mentioned it). Outside of my AP classes, the majority are honors classes.</p>

<p>I just took the ACT today, so not sure about the scores. I scored a 190 on my P-SAT (no studying), with my SAT scheduled for June 2nd (with plans to study, of course).</p>

<p>The bad part is that my extra curricular activities are non-existent, along with community service hours. I do work an average of 20-25 hours a week at a job, so it's not like I'm sitting at home or anything.</p>

<p>At this point, what schools would be in the realm of possibility? UCLA? Berkeley (ha)?, UT at Austin? Any observations are appreciated.</p>

2

<p>UT is not a difficult school to get into.</p>

3

<p>Well that’s nice to hear. I’m not really decided on a college, and not really familiar with the school rankings, so any recommendations not included are also appreciated (even if they fall outside the south-west)</p>

4

<p>Your EC is your job.</p>

5

<p>Great. So my job counts as extra curricular? That eliminates my greatest fear. I’ve been working there since summer 2006. So, what colleges would you recommend with my stats? I’m thinking either Economics or Engineering as my major.</p>

6

<p>How far away do you want to go?</p>

7

<p>I’d like to stay in the West most likely, but wouldn’t be opposed to traveling farther if the opportunity arises.</p>

8

<p>Not my geographic area of expertise…</p>

<p>Whitman, Colorado College?</p>

<p>Had to say until the ACT comes back. Any academic areas of interest?</p>

<p>Have you ever toured a large state school vs a LAC? Which type of environment do you like?</p>

9

<p>I’ve toured both Arizona State and University of Arizona, and I’d think I’ll like the “big school” feel. I’m interested in Engineering/Computer Science, but also Economics/Math. After taking the ACT today, I’d feel confident getting a 27-28. I’ll probably take it again with hopes of a 30-32. I went in today feeling rushed (didn’t expect the test to be that fast), but I felt pretty confident on the questions themselves (especially math).</p>

10

<p>Based on your scores UCLA and UCB are kind of a reach for you - have you looked at UCSB? You should also look at San Diego State - it’s gotten much more competitive and they have an honors program that my D was admitted to last year (didn’t attend). Her scores and GPA were just like yours. University of Washington, UT Austin (good choice).</p>

11

<p>One of the things that hurts a lot of studnets takting th ACT and SAT is the pace of the exam. That’s why I strongly recommend that before you take the SAT, you actually take at least one sample SAT exam as you would in real life - timed, in silence, with just the one break, etc. Get familiar with the timing as part of your test prep, and you’ll be far better prepared for the exam in real life. </p>

<p>Until we know your SAT and ACT scores, it’s not possible for us to tell you which schools might be good targets for you, especially since one of your possible majors is engineering. I need to know your CR, Math SAT scores - especially your math. </p>

<p>It sounds like some of the stronger engineering programs could be within your reach, depending on your SATs/ACTs. Keep in mind that many such programs will require you to have taken some SAT II subject exams. That’s in addition to your AP exams. </p>

<p>As you are right now, I have no doubt that you’ll get into ASU and AU. And both are strong schools overall, and good in engineering, should you choose that major. Other western schools that you may want to keep in mind could be: Harvey Mudd, UC Berkeley, UCLA, Stanford, Cal Tech, U Texas Austin, Rice, Texas A&M College Station, U Washington, UCSD, USC, UC Davis, U Colorado Boulder, Iowa State, Cal Poly Pomona, UCSB, UC Irvine, Colorado State U, San Jose State U, U Iowa, U Utah, Washington State U, Cal Poly SLO. Which ones depend on your SAT/ACT scores, in part.</p>

12

<p>University of Iowa and University of Kansas are great schools and they would be good safeties for you. I’d definitely look at these.</p>