Advice for a CA student?

<p>Where would I be a good fit? I've done a lot of research, but unfortunately it seems that the real 'nature' of the college is difficult to understand from a tour, attending a class or two on campus, and looking up information online.</p>

<p>Thanks in advance to anyone who reads. I'm specifically looking for suggestions for other good universities that are relevant to my interests. </p>

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<p>Colleges I've looked into seriously - distance is a total non issue. I'm interested in the Ivies, but haven't done significant research on them yet. </p>

<p>-Cal Tech
-MIT
-Stanford
-UC Berkeley
-UC Davis
-UC Irvine
-Cal Poly San Luis Obispo
-Harvey Mudd</p>

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<p>Online school 9th-10th grade
11th, and now 12th grade in a small (400 student) private California High school. Top student in my class out of 120ish. Male.</p>

<p>Scores:</p>

<p>-GPA is ~ 4.10 adjusted. All grades are A's except a B in the first semester of Physics Junior year.
-SAT is 2240, Reading 760/Math 760/Writing 720
-No ACT
-800 Math II
-790 Physics
-Low scores on chem from 9th grade, going to retake it. Forget the exact number but it was pretty bad.
-700 Biology</p>

<p>APs: US History Sophomore year (3), AP Calculus Junior year (5), AP Physics Junior year (4). No honors. Taking AP Chemistry this year. May work towards completing other AP exams. This is basically the extent of AP classes that my school offers - we have no honors.</p>

<p>Community college courses: all A's so far. My goal is to take Differential Equations in the spring semester.</p>

<p>-Music Appreciation
-Introduction to Political Science (top grade in my class of 80 - got more 10/10 essay scores than the rest of the class combined)
-Calculus II/Analytic Geometry</p>

<p>Current:</p>

<p>-Calculus III/Analytic Geometry
-Linear Algebra
-Astronomy (Physics was filled impacted classes)</p>

<p>(along with 3 high school classes)</p>

<p>Next Semester: </p>

<p>-Differential Equations
-Physics for Engineers & Scientists (basically calculus-based physics)
-Philosophy (being forced into it..mom's friend teaching. lol)</p>

<p>Extracurricular activities:</p>

<p>-Math club leader
-Helped found high school debate club, in charge of organizing evidence and research
-AWANA club leader 3 years (Kind of like en-mass babysitting for Christians)
-Played piano 10 years, play keyboard for youth group</p>

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<p>Personality:</p>

<p>I honestly love learning, especially science. In order, since the fall of my Junior year, I've wanted to major in Economics, Actuarial statistics, Law, Political Science, Mathematics, Astronomy, Physics, Journalism, Mathematics, Physics, Mathematics...Physics. At least for now...who knows what I'll like in my general ed .</p>

<p>I'm a huge follower of politics, mostly for the debates. The mental challenge of pitting my ideas against another when neither of us have any real authority or potential effect on the subject gives me a strange satisfaction. I tend to debate things I totally disagree with so that I can learn more about them - resulting in me changing sides on issues faster than your average politician. That may be hyperbole - I need to take a few more polysci classes, but the potential is here.</p>

<p>I also enjoy difficult professors and classes - usually liking the ones that everyone else hates, and struggling with the ones that everyone else loves. I need a challenge or I tend to get lazy and/or bored, which is definitely one of my biggest personal hurdles.</p>

<p>Thanks again!</p>

<p>You have a pretty solid list of Cali schools.</p>

<p>Have you ever thought about Johns Hopkins, Georgetown or Wash U? Based on your descriptions/wants, I think that each of these could be a fit.</p>

<p>I would also recommend Georgetown. They have one of the best non-Ivy League international relations/political science/economics departments in the country, and they’ve also got pretty solid offerings in the natural sciences. On top of that, you’d have excellent chances of being admitted.</p>

<p>You missed two of the best physics programs in the UC system - Santa Cruz and Santa Barbara. Also definitely check out (and read the posts on CC) the physics major at the College of Creative Studies at UC Santa Barbara. That small program within the university sounds like it could suit you very well.</p>

<p>In addition to my above post - Harvey Mudd could work really well for you, because you could take many classes in government & economics at Claremont McKenna.</p>

<p>My schools are mostly from Cali because it’s been a lot easier for me to get to the campus and see what it’s like. I’m not at all set on sticking around here. </p>

<p>I will look at Wash U, Georgetown, and Hopkins…thanks a lot! :)</p>

<p>Jon</p>

<p>I recommend UChicago. You sound like a perfect fit–learning for learnings sake, loving debate and discussion, always looking for a challenge. They have one of the best math, economics, and physics programs in the country. As part of their Core, you’ll also have to take many humanities courses with lots of discussion involved.</p>