Chance me? Troubled past....

Colleges and Universities A-Z University of Southern California
1

<p>Major: Biomedical Engineering</p>

<p>URM: African American Female</p>

<p>Hooks: Homeless on and off during high school and moved high schools 4 times</p>

<p>Academics: 3.8 UW 4.4 W (so far)</p>

<p>(hoping for by end of senior year):
8 AP
14 Honors
3 College Courses</p>

<p>Freshman:
A/B - English I Honors
B/C - Geometry Honors
A/A - Biology Honors
A/A/A - PE/Health/PE
A/A - Art/Theatre
A/A - Spanish 1</p>

<p>Sophomore:
B/A - English II Honors
B/A - Algebra 2 Honors
A/A - AP US History
A/A - World History Honors
A/A - Chemistry
A/A - Spanish 2
A/B - Journalism/Anatomy & Physiology Honors</p>

<p>*Junior:</p>

<p>A/ - AP Microeconomics/AP Macroeconomics
A/ - AP English Language and Composition
A/ - Honors Physics
A/ - Honors Pre Calculus
A/ - Honors Spanish 3
A/ - Honors Procedural Programming
A/ - Intro to Information Technology
A/ - Research 3
A/ - New Media
A - Driver's Education</p>

<p>Scores:
*SAT Composite - 1900 (practice test. I will take the real one in January, hoping for a 2000)
SAT II US History - 640
*SAT II Math II -
*SAT II Physics-<br>
*SAT II Spanish - </p>

<p>AP US History - 4
*AP Microeconomics-
*AP Macroeconomics -
*AP English Language and Composition -
*AP Computer Science A -
*AP Physics B -
*AP Spanish -
*AP Calculus AB - </p>

<p>Extracurriculars:
Varsity Track and Field
(400m Award)
-3 Years
President of Art Club
(Lead creation of school mural)
-3 Years</p>

<p>*President/Secretary of Key Club/GSL
(Lead Recycling Committee)
(Started charity for homeless children)
-4 Years</p>

<p>*Debate
(Best Speaker)
-4 Years</p>

<p>Academic Team
*(Award)
-4 Years</p>

<p>Karate
(Champion Karate Best Student)
(Martial Arts Assistant Teacher)
(Black belt)
-15years</p>

<p>*National Science Honors Society
-2 Years
Volunteer:
(400+ Volunteer Hours)
Library Volunteer Tutor
-4 Years</p>

<p>*Hospital Volunteer
-Certified CPR
-2 Years</p>

<p>Homeless Sheltor Volunteer
-4 Years
*Art Museum Volunteer
-2 Years
Awards:</p>

<p>Distinguished Honors Award
*AP Scholar with Honor
Honorable Volunteer Award
*Debate Best Speaker Award
*Academic Team Medalist
Champion Karate Best Student
*Regional Science Fair Medallist
Microsoft Certification Award
National Honors Society Certificate Award
National Science Honors Society Certificate Award</p>

<p>Work Experience:
*Part-Time Job
Intern at The Expressionist Magazine
Assistant at Champion Karate and Dance
*Owner of iPhone App Design Business (hoping for by end of senior year)
*Engineering Internship</p>

<p>Reaches:
1. Columbia
2. Cornell</p>

<p>Matches:
1. UC Berkeley
2. UCLA
3. USC
4. Rochester</p>

<p>Safeties:
1. UC San Diego
2. UC Irvine
3. Florida U</p>

2

<p>I’m not sure about your chances because I can’t personally weigh your life’s obstacles with a usc admission officer. But, honestly I just want to let you know that your profile is inspirational. It’s so awesome to see someone get through hard times and succeed! Whatever happens, best of luck to you!</p>

3

<p>Your numbers are fine for the most part and your story is wonderfully inspirational - more power to you, and best of luck wherever you go.</p>

<p>The only thing I noticed was that your SAT score of 1900-2000 is a tiny bit on the low side, although that’s the only real weakness I see. But that’s overshadowed by everything else, so by all means apply to all of the above schools and then some should you be so inclined.</p>

<p>Good luck! ;)</p>

4

<p>Are you at a California high school? Are you a senior? Do you know your UCGPA?</p>

<p>I’m not sure if there is such a thing as a “match” at Cal and UCLA, but good luck! Looks like you are a junior. </p>

<p>Here is the UCLA admitted freshman profile;
<a href=“http://www.admissions.ucla.edu/prospect/adm_fr/Frosh_Prof12.htm[/url]”>http://www.admissions.ucla.edu/prospect/adm_fr/Frosh_Prof12.htm&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

5

<p>How the hell you managed to keep a 4.4W while being homeless is beyond me. Incredible.
I have 4.0W and lead a very privileged life.</p>

6

<p>Thanks for all the answers! I’m working on my SAT but I’m predicting a score of 1940-2040 based on my practice tests. Wish me luck I test on Saturday! I’m also planning on taking to ACT where I’ve been doing a little better on practice tests like maybe between a 29-31 score is predicted. I will take that test in 3 weeks.</p>

<p>And ill probably write an essay about how I managed to juggle being homeless while still being dedicated to my school work. But I’ll make sure it doesn’t sound like a son story.</p>

7

<p>If you are set on majoring in BME, you should make sure all the schools you are applying to offer what you are looking for. Columbia, USC, Rochester, and UCI all offer BME. UF offers BME, but you have to meet certain requirements and apply your junior year, so admission is not guaranteed. The past 2 years they accepted 20 or 30 students. UCB, UCLA, and UCSD offer BioE which is very similar, but there are slight differences. Cornell offers Biological Engineering which seems to be focused on biological systems, the environment, agriculture, etc. and not on medical applications. </p>

<p>It is really hard to predict your outcomes since your circumstances are not typical. I commend you for accomplishing so much while facing many challenges. I think if you present yourself well, you will be a strong applicant for most schools. I wish you the best of luck. :)</p>