<p>Hello guys, I want your ideas of my chances of getting into the colleges that I want. I am a junior right now and reside in California. I was born in Somalia plus I have 6 siblings, a part-time job, my family's income is well below 30k, and I'm the second oldest of a first-generation family. My WGPA is 4.2, taking 4 APs(intending to take 6 next year), 1 honors and some electives. ECs include Key club VP, Model United Nations Under Director General and I'm an award winning delegate. I'm also the Sadd VP, Associated Student Body Treasurer , Link Crew Leader, and Red Cross Historian. I got a 5 on the AP World Test last year. I played basketball last year if it matters. I have accumulated a 100-200+ hours of community service and intend to get more. I haven't taken the sat yet but I expect something in the 2000s region. what are my chances with schools like Stanford, Columbia, Duke, NYU, UCSB, UCLA, UCSB, UCSD, Cal, and UCSD? Thanks and any advice would be appreciated. I feel like my background gives me an edge but will it really be able to compensate for my weak gpa? (Slacked off last year) .
Edit: I forgot to mention that I was selected as a Questbridge College Prep Scholar </p>
<p>What’s your UW gpa? Hate to say it, but your expectations are too high. Your background will help, but it won’t get you into Stanford. You could make it into some of the easier UC’s though.</p>
<p>Chance back
<a href=“Chance me for UVA, Duke, and others. WILL CHANCE BACK! - Chance Me / Match Me! - College Confidential Forums”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/what-my-chances/1649766-chance-me-for-uva-duke-and-others-will-chance-back-p1.html</a></p>
<p>First of all, your personal narrative is compelling, and you will undoubtedly get some terrific offers, but perhaps not from all of the colleges on your list. Would you qualify under “local context” (or whatever it’s called) in the UC system? Your GPA is good enough for most UCs, other than Berkeley and UCLA, and so your test scores will matter. If your scores are disappointing, you should broaden your list to include more liberal arts colleges, with “holistic” admissions policies. They are often surprisingly generous toward good students from disadvantaged backgrounds. Before listening to the naysayers here, know that my son’s UC-weighted GPA was barely 4.0 (his unweighted GPA was only 3.3-3.4), and he got into UCSD and Davis as a white, suburban kid from New Jersey. He did not get into Berkeley, and didn’t apply to UCLA, but you have some advantages as a CA resident. Although CA public universities may not grant racial preferences, they can consider unusual backgrounds such as yours. Once you have your test scores, we’ll have a fuller picture. I’d say you have an excellent shot at academic admission to NYU, if your scores are okay, but they are legendarily nasty about financial aid. </p>