<p>I am out of state UNFORTUNATELY but i am working hard to accomplish this dream...And I am only a sophomore in hs so maybe give relative chance? (my gpa and ap's are bound to go up)</p>
<p>GPA: 4.375 (will go up)
Four ap classes by the end of sophomore year....Have only taken one AP test so far it was AP Human Geo freshman year..I got a 3 with no studying but I am studying intensely for the rest of them throughout HS...Will probly have 9+ AP classes by the end of HS
Class Rank: 06/499
Have not taken SAT yet but sophomore PSAT WITHOUT studying was 189..Will study hard for SAT and hoping to break 2100-2200
Should I take the ACT or Sat Subjects? (i dont know much about it or even Sat-II's)</p>
<p>EC: Soccer Team, Student Government Association, Geography team (freshman year), Tutor Program where I tutor elementary esol students, Math Team, Robotics Club</p>
<p>I should point out I am not HUGELY involved in any of the aforementioned activities, but moderately in the "jist" of things. And I am thinking about starting a club at my school and also my friend and I are gonna try to write a political book together (we're socially/politically aware kids). If it helps, I am a persian-american and will be writing about such in my essay (if that helps?)</p>
<p>I think the oos residency is my main qualm with UCB. Stanford seems to be impossible to get into so that is why I am posting. Thanks so much everyone...</p>
<p>I’m no admissions expert, but since Berkeley’s admissions are very focused on GPA and standardized testing, I would say you have a better shot at Cal than Stanford, and maybe better than Cornell as well. That being said, you have really good chances at all three, especially because you are only a sophomore! That gives you plenty of time to acquire leadership positions in the clubs/ECs you’re passionate about, and become more involved by senior year (however your ECs are outstanding regardless—very well-rounded as of now, but will become more “spikey” as time goes on). Break 2200 or maybe even 2250 and you have great shots at Cal and Cornell; Stanford is much, much more of a toss-up. But apply if you love the school, because since you definitely have a shot now, you’ll have a great shot by senior year. Keep up the great work!</p>
<p>thanks lovestone. what do you mean by spikey though?</p>
<p>and are most uc berkeley out of state applicants THAT competitive? i would love to go to UCB, deff prefer stanford (smaller classes), but it just seems that me being out of state ruins it financially (i cant pay 20–whatever thousand a semester or whatever it costs…)</p>
<p>dont worry about the psat score… i got 188 my junior year (w/o studying) and i ended up with a 2220 on the real deal (with some preparation). </p>
<p>if you find you still can’t bump up on the sats, try the acts… a lot of people who are successful with grades find the acts more straightforward </p>
<p>your class rank and grades are good so i wouldnt worry too much… but just keep in mind that ucb is very very difficult oos… the stats on their website are misleading.</p>
<p>i’d say if you break 2200, you’ve got a good shot at cornell, 2250 a great shot at ucb, and stanford is a reach no matter what, but a 2250+ will help greatly</p>
<p>Haha yeah “bump” means either Bring Up My Post or Bump Up My Post, as in to the top of the thread. Sorry about the “spikey” comment—oftentimes, ECs are described on CC as either well-rounded or “spikey,” which means that someone focuses on one or two very dedicated passions (for instance, singing: winning awards, being in choirs or choral groups, studying music for 5+ years, starting a singing group at school, and even more) to show colleges that they have a “specialty” that they can contribute to their prospective school. For some, it’s a sport they might be recruited for; others, it might be student government, extreme amounts of community service, or any talent really. Apparently, it’s a common misconception that students wishing for admission to hyper-selective colleges should simply be well rounded (members of 5+ clubs but no real leadership, dedication, or focus); oftentimes, being well-rounded with clear passions as well is the best combination.</p>
<p>Sorry if that explanation was super redundant haha. I think on CC, ECs are made out to be much more important than they actually are in college admissions; but to colleges like Stanford, they obviously carry a lot of weight to stand out in the crowd of overachievers. You’re doing great regardless, and I’m sure will gain admission to some fantastic colleges. Good luck with everything!</p>