Type of high school: public rigorous among the top bay area schools
Gender/Race/Ethnicity (optional): Asian female
Other special factors QUICK QUESTION! my mother has an associate’s degree from de Anza – do I still qualify as a first-generation student? I’ve heard mixed feedback for this question.
Intended Major(s)
Accounting
Medical Laboratory assistant (not avail in all colleges maybe some CC’s)
Chemistry (forensic science)
GPA, Rank, and Test Scores
Unweighted HS GPA: 3.565
Weighted HS GPA (incl. weighting system): 3.68
Class Rank: none
ACT/SAT Scores: 1390 DID POORLY just got score tOdAy!
Coursework (AP/IB/Dual Enrollment classes, AP/IB scores for high school; also include level of math and foreign language reached and any unusual academic electives; for transfers, describe your college courses and preparation for your intended major(s))
AP Spanish Lang (5)
AP Spanish Lit
AP Music Theory
Awards
Music theory with merit
ABRSM Level 5 violin with merit
Spanish NCEA (I think) bronze medal
Extracurriculars (Include leadership, summer activities, competitions, volunteering, and work experience)
Junior counselor Salvation Army summer camp
Stevenson House volunteer
YCS volunteer
(total: a little less than 250 hrs)
Essays/LORs/Other
Drafted them but probs still at a 6/10 quality; will improve over summer
Cost Constraints / Budget
none
Schools
Safety
SJSU
SFSU
CSUEB
Likely
Menlo college
Santa Clara University
University of SF
Match
will apply to some but only looking to be chanced for safeties/likelies
Reach
Extra comments are also appreciated!! Looking to attend school in Bay area (sort of cost constraint i guess: will be paying for myself; part time job, etc.) THANK U SM
SJSU also considers alternate majors, so definitely list one when applying.
SFSU would be a Safety since it is not impacted. SJSU and CSUEB could be safeties depending upon your impaction index for each major at SJSU and if any of the majors of interest are not impacted at CSUEB.
All Cal states will be test blind for the 2022 admission cycle, so SAT/ACT scores will not be considered.
I’d probably add Sonoma and Chico for their more residential feel and traditional college experience. Sonoma is small by CSU standards and has a great on-campus housing and feels like a private. I know Chico is a couple of hours from the Bay Area but, it is N Cal the have a great accounting program and housing will be somewhat cheaper than near SF/SJ.
Colleges may vary in their definition of “first generation to college”. Many define it as “no parent with a bachelor’s degree” (e.g. UC, CSU), but some define it as “no parent who attended college” (e.g. California community colleges).
Have you run the Net Price Calculators on any of the schools for afforability?
Private schools, even commuting without significant aid will be cost prohibitive. USF and SCU will probably be unaffordable since your stats are not high enough for significant financial aid.
What is your EFC?
Is there a reason your parents cannot contribute your college costs?
Will they let you commute from home?
What is the closest CSU to you that is commutable?
Most students will start at their local community college and work to help save money for transfer later.
Hello! Sorry for not responding for so long. My parents will not contribute to my college costs because they think I need to learn how hard it is to earn $$ and appreciate what they’ve provided me with.
I ran the NPC for SFSU and it came out w/ ~3k aid, which I think will be very helpful.
I will most likely be living at home or in an apartment next to the school, or maybe even on campus if I attend a UC.
SJSU is the closest CSU to my house.
Thanks so much for your advice
Thanks for your feedback. I am trying to stick to in-state schools (except maybe WashU) b/c of commuting, etc. I will check those schools out, though !
just got score tOdAy!