So I have literally been crying and stressing for the whole 2 days since my psat scores were released. I am not the brightest student, but i work hard or work hard to the extent need so please help me and hear me out.
This year i am taking 4 ap classes, Bio, Calc Ab, English, and Apush. i would say my gpa is above a 4.2 at the moment and i really hope that i can get it up. i am in many different clubs and help from time to time. i am also going into a program called the science olympiad which i don’t know if it will help. Yesterday i looked at my psat 11 score and i was very disappointed and broken i would say, i got an 1070. previously i got 1000 and before 1000 i got 1010 so not the best. i am very scared that i wont be able to get into the college i want which at the moment is UC irvine, it is like my dream to go to UCI and i would be the second person in my family to go to college and i really want to pass and not disappoint them but after seeing my psat score i just lost all hopes and cried for hours because i feel disappointed in myself and my family feels the same way. i really want to get it up and make it to irvine. can you guys please tell me how and guide me through this. this is the lowest point in my life because i honestly thought i was ok until today, i have overestimated myself and now i am failing, i really need this opportunity so please help me. i really need it. i feel really bad like to almost a suicidal point because its college and its no small deal, its my future. like hearing even a kid who people call dumb getting higher than me who many consider smart is just like breaking and especially that low score. i am just so afraid right now please give me advices on ap classes and my sat coming up in a little bit like a few months, maybe 2-5 month later, i really need this please. i am so desperate and scared
-thanks in advance
First calm down.
Secondly, focus on your health (including sleep) and your classwork right now. If you get good grades, that all by itself will get you into some good schools.
I think that you are trying to do too much. Think about what you can cut out. Probably you should take fewer AP classes next semester. Perhaps you should not do the science olympiad or cut out a few clubs. I know students who have taken a total of zero AP classes and have still gotten into universities which were a very good fit for them and have done well in life. I happen to be one of these former students, but I know quite a few more (most are friends of my daughters). One daughter had almost no ECs at all until her senior year of high school, got into every university she applied to, and is currently doing very well in university.
You really do not need to do everything. One of the most important things in life is to find things to NOT do.
All of the Universities of California are very good. UC Irvine is very good. UC Riverside and UC Merced are very good. The CSUs are very good. I have in particular worked with a few San Jose State grads but that is largely based on where I have worked over the years.
The PSAT is only a practice. You are not going to show this score to anyone at this point. In particular your PSAT score will not go to universities. When it is time to take the SAT (possibly 9 or 10 months from now if you are a junior) you will have had some time to do some SAT preparation. Preparation is very useful.
Think of the SAT as one thing that will help you find a university that is a good fit for you. You can do very well with a degree from any of the UC’s or from any of the CSU’s.
Relax and you will figure this out, but not tonight. Tonight you sleep. Tomorrow catch up on school work.
Can you try the ACT? Both my kids did poorly on the SAT but did extremely well on the ACT. Some students just do better on one versus the other. Also, there are many threads on here with advice on how to improve the scores. Also, you have a great GPA and good rigor; don’t lose sight of that.
I agree - step one, take a breath! Seriously, focus on your mental and physical health - nothing matters more
Step 2 broaden your perspective, there are lots of colleges in CA where you can get a reputable/marketable degree. With an admit rate around 30% most people don’t get into UCI. Trust me, most of the 60k+ freshmen they rejected last year went elsewhere and are doing fine. Privates like LMU and USD are likely to offer significant merit aid … CSUs are also good options to explore. Many CSUs have honors programs for high GPA applicants which give you smaller GE classes with other high performing students plus priority registration and a few other perks - For example, Sonoma, Chico and CSULB have solid honors programs.
Step 3 - test prep and practice tests, you don’t need to go overboard here but, the test is kind of a weird experience and most people don’t do as well on their fist try.
ACT is also worth a shot.
Keep an open mind, and a broad perspective. If you wind up someplace like SDSU instead of UCI, you’ll be fine…