<p>So, I did this a while ago but didn't get any responses; here I go again! I really would appreciate some feedback this time! </p>
<p>I am currently a junior in a Sacramento Area public high school. High school is okay, average.</p>
<p>*Freshman: 4.0 GPA (No AP's offered - Took all CP classes) CP English, Student Govt, Spanish 1, Biology, Geography, Geometry, Health/Safety.</p>
<p>*Sophomore: 4.2 GPA (Took the 1 AP class offered, 1 Honors, and all CP's) AP European History, Honors English, CP Chemistry, Student Govt, Spanish 2, Spanish 3, Algebra 2.</p>
<p>*Junior: so far 4.33 GPA: Spanish 4, Anatomy/Physiology, Student Govt, AP Art History, AP Lang and Comp, Honors Pre-Calc, US History and Sociology at Community College.</p>
<p>*Senior: probably about a 4.5 GPA; Expected Schedule: AP Spanish, AP Human Geography, AP Govt/Econ, AP Literature, AP Psychology, Student Govt, AP Stats, and 2 more Community College Classes</p>
<p>*Top 5% of class
*15/515 Class Rank (expected to rise to top 5 or 10)
*ASB Vice President of my school (ASB President next year??)
*Intern in California State Senate
*Capitol Hill/D.C. Congressional Page
*Varsity Track and Field athlete
*Speech and Debate Champion
*Youth Commissioner in my city's government which handles over $700,000 that is dispersed to local non-profit organizations
*Started my school's Junior State of America chapter this year, where I am President
*CSF member
*20+ hours of community service with a local Children's hospital
*20+ hours at Elementary schools with Special Education Students
*20+ hours at local Retirement Home
*Extensive work with Make-A-Wish Foundation
*20+ hours at local Rehabilitation facility
*20+ hours with local campaigns, and a bit of time with other various organizations.
*EXCELLENT personal letters of recomendation</p>
<p>PSAT last year as a sophomore: around 170 (but very high in reading/comprehension), with literally no preparation. I took a sample one with kaplan that was very accurate with last year's PSAT results and recieved a 198; just took the real one last month and pretty sure I got over 200.</p>
<p>I am extremely passionate about politics, so I would like to study Political Science and minor in International Relations/Business. Possibly minor in Spanish.</p>
<p>So far, in order of preference, my lists are:</p>
<p>Reaches, partially realistic:
1. Stanford
2. Harvard
3. Princeton
4. Yale</p>
<p>Realistic:
1. USC
2. UCLA
3. UCB
4. NYU
5. Columbia
6. Georgetown
7. Pepperdine</p>
<p>Do I have a chance at any of these schools? Am I on track? Is there anything specific I can do to set myself apart from other applicants? Any other suggestions?</p>
<p>*And I know it may help that I live in California for the UC's, and I know they say it doesn't matter but for what it's worth I am 1/2 Mexican, 1/4 Armenian, and 1/4 Yogoslavian.</p>
<p>ALSO... hypothetical situation: I got into USC and Stanford. Both cost the same. I LOVE LA, not so much the Bay Area. I want to pursue an acting career also, so obviously the best place for that is LA. I feel like I will enjoy going to USC more but then again I don't know much about student life at Stanford. Is it worth it the bite the bullet and go for the prestige and so-called better education, or should I go to USC and pursue my other interests?</p>