Am I holding myself back?

State Forums
1

<p>I want to study mechanical engineering, and I'm thinking of these schools to go to.</p>

<p>UCSD
Cal Poly
Cal Poly Pomona
UCI
UCR </p>

<p>I have a "good" GPA (I don't know what defines "good") of 4.2 (this is the calculated UC and CSU one). I've taken rigorous courses; I will have taken 9 AP courses by the end of this year (my senior year). I have "decent" (again, I don't know what "decent" is but it sounds appropriate) SAT scores (1760). I'm ranked 11 out of 500 students in my class. I've been in cross country for four years. I have NO extracurricular activities.</p>

<p>My dream school is Cal Poly and UCSD. Some say they are a reach for me. But if I don't get accepted to them I think I might just go to Cal Poly Pomona. It seems more appropriate (plus it's semi-close to home) for engineering than UCI and UCR because it's a polytechnic school, but it doesn't seem like I belong here (academically speaking). </p>

<p>I need someone's opinion. I will be applying soon. Please help.</p>

<p>I don't want anyone saying, "this depends on you." I'm not scared to take a risk and go to a college that can alter my life completely. I feel like if I do take the "safe" route by going to Pomona, I will being missing out on an opportunity of a lifetime. </p>

2

<p>Cal Poly SLO and UCSD are extremely competitive for ME. My younger son had 4 friends apply this past year with great STATS: UC GPA 4.2+ and SAT scores 2100+ only 1 got in to SLO and UCSD. Your SAT needs to at least 2100 to a have good chance at both those schools. Your Stats would be a match for CPP and UCR. UCI would be a high match.
Go ahead and apply but I recommend you retake the SAT in October. Good Luck.</p>

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<p>The program at CPP is underestimated by many people. </p>

<pre><code> In 2013 U.S. News & World Report ranks Cal Poly Pomona’s undergraduate program 14th in the nation (for Master’s-granting universities), and mentions that Cal Poly Pomona “has one of the top ranked engineering programs, and graduates roughly 1 of every 14 engineers in the state of California.”
Cal Poly Pomona College of Engineering - Wikipedia
</code></pre>

<p>You definitely need to retake the SAT, even for Pomona. I would not consider it a safety.</p>