<p>^Since class rank and GPA are closely connected, I’d say yes. The UC’s, for example, put great emphasis on their “ELC” program, which is top 9% of your class. Last year the cut-off was top 4%. Schools like Rice, for example, seem to only accept (unhooked) applicants that are top 5% and USC top 10% or thereabouts. I’m sure there are exceptions, but this seems to be the norm the majority of the time.</p>
<p>Yeah I know I am in the “UC” system somehow by being in the top 5% or whatever in my class. My vice-principal had us initiated into the system so I’m assuming it would be easier to get into a UC? Am I right?</p>
<p>Make sure that you are ELC (eligible in the local context), offered to CA residents only. You would have had to complete a form during your junior year. It will make it “easier” to get into all UC’s and you will be offered automatic acceptance into one or more of the “second tier” UC’s as long as you fulfill some basic requirements and pay the application fee to those particular schools offering you acceptance. Those UC’s become your safety schools, which takes some of the pressure off.</p>
<p>I believe that you have a good chance at every school but rice, which is a slight reach. Plus, engineering is a really popular field, so there will be competition. However, perhaps an internship at a research lab would look good, especially if your project has to do with engineering (like me, mine is engineering with batteries and nanotechnology).</p>
<p>Will being a part of the robotics team and competing in the i believe it’s called “STEM” competition help?</p>
<p>bump…bump</p>
<p>@Fanatic16 – First of all I want to congratulate you on a great HS career. You’ve done a fantastic job. Now it is time to find a good match. Do not give up on engineering just because some folks here say your stats aren’t good enough. We just went through the entire process of application to engineering schools for my son. He was accepted into 5 UC’s and both Cal Poly’s (SLO and Pomona, Honors). Of all the posts I’ve seen here, post #10 from Zelda seems most accurate. Having said that there is a lot of hope. My kid also tests poorly on standardized exams. For example, my son’s first shot at an ACT practice exam resulted in a score that was nothing less than abysmal for an engineering major. Same story for the SAT and SAT 2 subject tests. So, we bit the bullet and hired a great tutoring company. After using the tutoring service, his actual scores for both the ACT and SAT went up high enough to score him in the 97th to 99th percentile in all subjects for both exams. Let me give you a couple of examples: His ACT Math went from a 30 to a 34. His ACT English went from a 25 to a 34. His SAT Math 2 score went from a lowly 690 to – no joke – a final actual score of 780. After hiring these guys, my kid had his pick of 7 outstanding engineering programs. I STRONGLY suggest that you retake all your standardized tests and spend the money on a qualified tutor with a verified track record. Since you are in the Los Angeles general area try out who we used for tutoring. We used this company – <a href=“http://■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■;%5B/url%5D”>http://■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■;</a> speak to DJ Fuller at Tel: (310) 550-0300; or email him at <a href="mailto:dj.fuller@■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■">dj.fuller@■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■</a></p>
<p>Also, as Zelda said look at some alternative schools. We really liked Cal Poly Pomona and you already qualify for that school “as is” with your current scores. They’ll even consider you for the Kellogg Honors college over there. Great school, incredibly good deal and just like its sister school SLO, they pride themselves on the hands on approach. My kid ultimately chose Cal Poly SLO and will start there this September. Best of luck!</p>
<p>Thank u for your advice! I will be shooting for UCSB and Cal Poly (mainly) if I don’t get into one of the service academies. (just attended Naval Baseball Leadership Camp and love the feel of the academy.)</p>
<p>Just for everyone’s info I got my SATs up and ECs, etc. and got into and SIR for Cal Poly SLO. Thank you for challenging me with the helpful posts. Will study ME this fall at SLO and do Army ROTC. Thanks again especially OsakaDad!! Your posts actually helped me choose Cal Poly over my other choices!!</p>