GPA:
3.65 UW/ 4.14 W and 4.0 UC GPA
SAT: 1280 (760 math, 520 english)- wont use
ACT: got 29 first time, 32 second, 28 3rd, how will this affect me?
32 (35 enlgish, 35 math, 24 reading, 32 science)
Subject tests: 760 math2, 720 chem
AP: ap chem 4, took calc AB, physics and lang this year (pray), and next year will do stats, lit, compsci
awards: Tutorial club most hours of the semester, Honor Roll all but 1 semester
ECs: swim, CSF, NHS senior year olny (if i make it), tutorial club VP senior year (this year I was secretary), summer tutoring job, used to volunteer at community swimming pool last year
-will hopefully get good recomnedations from physics and french teacher
-chinese male
-income about 80k (if aid is possible that will be gud)
schools:
UCB- chemE
UCLA- chemE or psychobio
UCSD- human bio
UCSB- chemE
UCD- bio
UCI-bio
UCSC-bio
UCR-bio
CPSLO-elecE
CPP-chemE
USC-pysch
Alabama-chemE
Georgetown-bio
Rice-bio
Tulane-biochem
UT Austin- chemE
I most likely want to become a docotr- even though some schools I put as chemE, but if I do go to like UCB I won’t be premed, as its 2 hard. anyway, I really want to be doctor, but I feel like its 2 hard, so for some schools I did chemE for backup. I also like it a lot. I just put elecE for Slo becuase I like it but there isnt chemE.
Guys please chance me and tell me how I can improve.
@watsrongwitme
Do you have any hooks?
not really
the only thing i have that stands out is varsity swim plus volunteer in community pool and tutorial club Vp plus award and summer tutor
no family stuff no disabilities, etc…
GPA/test scores are really low, especially since you are in the really bad demographic-the dreaded Chinese male. Georgetown and Rice are going to be big time reaches because of the low test scores/GPA. UT-Austin is a reach. Plenty of Chinese with high GPA/test scores get rejected from those schools.
Alabama and Tulane may be match/low match. Not too many Asians apply there because frankly the culture is way different from what you’re used to in CA. I can see you getting into Alabama now if you didn’t take another standardized test.
Your first 3 UCs are reaches because you are declaring for Chemical Engineering or Biology. The test scores aren’t going to make the cut for Cal/UCLA Engineering and Biology is impacted at UCSD. The only UCs that are matches are Riverside and Merced.
SLO is going to be a reach for EE. Pomona might be a high match/low reach.
Take 1 more SAT. Add a few safety schools. ACT score dropping is worrisome and most schools do not recommend taking any test more than 3 times.
Did you do your research on the schools? As I mentioned, if you get into Alabama or Tulane, be prepared for major culture shock. Tuscaloosa and New Orleans are nothing that you have been accustomed to.
isn’t true that I pick what ACT score to send?
So can’t I just choose my 32, which I think is strong enough.
Also SAT is still too hard, I got a 1250 on PSAT, and can’t beat 1300 on a pratice test. I think ACT is better for me
Alabama increased its cutoff for its Presidential Scholarship from ACT 32 to 33 for this upcoming year. If you can get it up one more point, you can get the full tuition scholarship and the engineering scholarship. You are probably good for Tulane, but scholarship may be iffy. if you’re serious about Tulane, be sure to contact them and state your interest in attending. Apply ED as that’s the best chance of getting accepted.
The UC’s want all test scores but will take the highest score from a single sitting which will be your 32 composite.
Your GPA is in range along with your ACT score of 32 for the majority of the UC’s. UCLA/UCB are always tough admits.
Freshman admit rates for UC GPA of 3.80-4.19:
UCB: 14%
UCLA: 14%
UCSD: 44%
UCSB: 54%
UCD: 58%
UCI: 65%
UCSC: 85%
UCR: 94%
UCM: 96%
UCB/UCLA: Reach
UCSD: Low Reach
UCSB/UCD/UCI: Match-High Match
UCSC: Match
UCR/UCM: Safety
SLO: High Match
CPP: Match
USC: Reach
Best of luck
any advice on how to improve chances at these schools?
also any other good schools I can get into that are good for premed and also cheap, or give nice scholarships?
The best thing you can do to improve your chances is to bump up your GPA and test scores. Cal States other an SLO do not consider EC’s and for SLO, EC’s only count for about 10% of the MCA points.
For the UC’s, EC’s are important but Very important are GPA/Test scores/Essays and HS course rigor.
UC’s and Cal States give limited merit aid (scholarships), they however give very good need-based aid if you are in-state and qualify for Pell grants-Federal, Cal Grants- CA residents and Middle class scholarship- CA resident. Top applicants to the UC’s can get merit scholarships such as Regents and Chancellor Scholarships.
Here is some information for Regents at UCSD: https://students.ucsd.edu/finances/financial-aid/types/scholarships/freshmen/regents.html
Each campus determines which applicants qualify for these scholarships, so research each UC’s website for further information and details.
it doesn’t specify, it looks super competitive tho
i really want to get inot atleast UCSD tho
UCB (art)-accepted
UCSD (human bio)- accepted
UCI (bio)- accepted
UCD (biochem)- accepted
UCR (biochem)- accepted w/ Regents (5k/yr) scholarship+honors program
heres me with 32ACT and 3.75UW / 4.3W and 4.1 UC GPA
i also got into Alabama chemE with prez scholly, but so they did change it this year, as well as Tulane with 15k/yr
im going to be at UCR next yr biochem with regents… GO HIGHLANDERS!!!
i think you have a good shot at UCD, UCI, UCSB, and a slight chance at UCSD, as I did 2.
UCR is also low match for you, so count on it. Its a really good school… dont underestimate prestige… especially for premed in CA, where competition is crazy. I think you have a chance at UCSD, but honestly don’t choose the highest ranked school, go where you can succeed and enjoy your experience. I had friends going to UCR so its not bad.
Good luck with your admisssions!
To the OP, I would also suggest that you work carefully on your application essays. From your posts, I assume that English is not your native language. The essays need to flow and be grammatically correct. For Rice, you will be writing multiple supplemental essays and you can’t afford to use awkward sentence structure/poor grammar/obvious spelling mistakes. Have an English teacher review everything you write.
I have a feeling that you’re thinking in Chinese while writing English-my wife is Chinese and she occasionally writes the same way.