Chances at California Schools.... & Others

Chance Me / Match Me!
1

<p>I'm a junior from Tennessee (Suburbs of Nashville). Looking at following schools, in order of preference:</p>

<ul>
<li>Pepperdine</li>
<li>Chapman </li>
<li>Occidental</li>
<li>USC </li>
<li><p>UC's?</p></li>
<li><p>Vanderbilt (My dad is a professor there and really wants me to look into it)</p></li>
<li><p>University of Miami</p></li>
<li><p>Others?</p></li>
</ul>

<p>Stats:
- GPA- 3.65
- Rank- Top 10% (Class of 400+)
- SAT I- 1330 (Math: 700 & Verbal: 630)
- AP Exams- European History (3)
- AP Exams to take- Psychology, English Lang, English Lit, US History, US Government and Politics, Statistics, Music Theory, Biology
- All honors/AP throughout high school</p>

<p>EC's:
-FHS Lacrosse- 9th, 11th- Varsity Letter- State Runner-up (9th) (& will play in College)
-Science Olympiad- 9th, 11th- 2nd & 3rd Medals @ State & Regionals (9th)
-Young Republicans- 10th, 11th- Vice President (11th)
-Habitat for Humanity- 11th
-Model UN- 10th,11th- Awards
-Youth Legislature- 11th
-Church Youth Group- 9th,10th,11th- President (9th,10th)
-Boy Scouts- 9th,10th,11th,12th- SPL 9th & 10th- Tenderfoot, 2nd Class, 1st Class, Life, Star, Eagle Scout!
-Order of the Arrow- 9th,10th,11th- Ordeal & Brotherhood Member
-Volunteer- Red Cross Williamson County- 10th,11th- Member Youth Council, Board of Advisors (MANY HOURS)
-Volunteer- Williamson County Republican Party- 10th, 11th (MANY HOURS)
-Volunteer- Campaigns for Bush/Cheney ‘04, Marsha Blackburn, Jim Bryson, & Janice Bowling- 11th
-TARS- FHS Representative, Member of Executive Council- 11th
-National Lacrosse Defensemen Camp- Summer 2003 @ Roanoke College
-Church Mission Camp- Summer 2003 @ Murray, Kentucky
-Church Mission Camp- Summer 2005 @ Nauvoo, IL
-Church Basketball League- 9th, 10th, 11th- League Champions (9th,10th)
-Church Seminary Group- 9th, 10th, 11th
-Guitar Experience- Private Lessons (9th,10th)- Open Mic, Other Appearances, etc.
-Math Club- 9th, 10th- Team 3rd @ State Contest in Geometry (9th)
-Bowling League- YABA- 9th & 10th- Awards
-Mountain Man Extreme Camp- Summer 2003
-Cool Springs Scuba Club- 9th,10th,11th
-Diving Certifications- Open Water, Advanced Open Water, Rescue Diver, Medic First Aid (CPR), Red Cross CPR, O2 Provider, Boat Diver, Wreck Diver, Dry-suit Diver, Equipment Specialist, Peak Performance Buoyancy, Underwater Navigation, & Master Scuba Diver (Highest Recreational Level Available @ Youngest Age in Tennessee)</p>

<p>-Work Experience- Local Scuba Shop- October 2003- January 2005</p>

<p>-Letters of Rec & Essays no problem</p>

<p>-What do you think? Thanks,</p>

<p>Alex</p>

2

<p>The higher ranked UC's will be pretty difficult because you're out of state but you would have a shot at some like UCI and UCR and UCM etc.</p>

3

<p>^^
True. You probably won't make it to either UC Berkeley or UCLA. You have a good chance at UCSD, UC Davis, and UC Irvine. </p>

<p>As for USC, you have a 70% chance.</p>

4

<p>I think you're good for pepperdine and chapman. Dont nkow about the rest, but if you're dads a professor, with your stats you'd get in easy. It's a good school,too...</p>

<p>Yeah, Cal and UCLA.. and even UCSD(if bioengineering or something of the sort) are a looong shot.. but you dotn wanna go there anyway.. mostl ikeley, if you're looking at schools like occidental- small, liberal arts, teachers know your name, stuff like that. You're class rank will get you far, nice job.</p>

5

<p>JTShocker33:</p>

<p>UCLA/UCB: Reach (out of state)
UCSD: Slight Reach (out of state)
UCD/UCSB/UCI: Match (out of state)
UCSC/UCR/UCM: Safe Match (out of state)</p>

<p>Pepperdine: Safety
Chapman: ?
Occidental: Safety
USC: Slight Reach
Vanderbilt: Match (?)
Miami: Safety (?)</p>

6

<p>Correct, I think I'd fit best at a small, liberal arts, teachers know your name, etc school. Pepperdine, Chapman, and Occidental are my top choices. USC is my REACH school, and I'm not too interested in the UC's (Not all have lacrosse programs) I'm meeting with Chapman's Director of Admissions to talk about their school and lacrosse program in March. Thank you everyone so far for your opinions, anybody else wish to chime in? I really want to get out to Southern California, so any other schools I haven't mentioned?</p>

<p>-JTShocker33</p>

7

<p>You might want to consider the University of San Diego (USD) as well. It one of the most beautiful campuses on the west coast, a good size (7,000 undergrad and grad) and a strong academic reputation. It would be a safety for you.</p>

<p>In regards to lacrosse, it’s a club sport at USD. The Toreros are pretty good. They finished 8-3 last year and landed first place in the Division B - South Conference 2004 Standings in the Western Collegiate Lacrosse League (WCLL). You may want to check out the WCCL web site for information about college lacrosse teams in Southern California.</p>

8

<p>USC shouldnt be your reach school. USC is mildly competitive, NOT EVEN CLOSE to berkeley or UCLA (even more so for out-of-state students)</p>

9

<p>Thanks Bubbles</p>

<p>I'm keeping USC as a reach for me. Pepperdine and Chapman are still my top choices, Occidental and USD not too far behind. Any other thoughts?</p>

<p>-Alex</p>

<p>PS- Pepperdine is a reach for anyone....they're #1 in "Crap-shooting"</p>

10

<p>^ does anyone care to elaborate on Pepperdines "crap-shooting" habits? does this mean they are somewhat random in their selections??</p>

11

<p>They give new meaning to "random" They've been known to admit applicants with lower stats and more emphasis on church. Everyone knows the horror stories of conservative Pepperdine not allowing A&F posters and whatever. True, it is a very conservative school and is very focused on Chuch of Christ. Actually, I'm more interested in Chapman because it's less focused on their Disciples of Christ affiliation than Pepperdine. If you are going to apply to Pepperdine, I've heard you need to seriously stress your church activities. Being their denomination helps as well...</p>

<p>-Alex</p>

12

<p>^-^ </p>

<p>Thanks
-Alex</p>

13

<p>Get some extracurriculars and maybe you'll have a shot.</p>

14

<p>Anybody else have thoughts?</p>

15

<p>cool we re applying to like all the same schools
im a californian, similar stats: 3.7, 1270 SAT, top 10 public high school in CA</p>

<p>ECs:
-rep of american cancer society teen board
-youth action council member (habitat for humanity, food banks, relay for life, relief funds, etc)
-after school program tutor for underpriveleged elementary kids
-california scholastic federation (state honor roll thing)
-copy editor of school yearbook
-secretary of key club
-3 years with church youth group
-3 years spending a week in Tijuana building homes for families with church
-4 years in the academic talent development program at UC Berkeley
-2 yrs soccer (in school), 10 years outside of school
-1 yr swimming
-3 yrs in chorale program
-600+ hrs community service total</p>

<p>APs:
AP Calc AB
AP Psychology
AP Biology
AP French 5
AP US History</p>

<p>3 recs: junior eng teacher, senior gov/econ teacher, counselor</p>

<p>I also applied to Pepperdine, Chapman, USD, UC's. I didnt apply to VU or USC tho. My first choice is Pepperdine, then USD, then UCSB, then Southern Methodist University. I think we both have good shots at Pepperdine and Chapman. Youre as good as in at Chapman. As far as UC's go, it'll be tough for you as an out of state applicant. You have a good shot at UCSB, not so sure about UCSD, UCB, or UCLA. And USC, well USC is getting insanely competitive. Everyone at my school is applying there. I believe their averages are 4.0 GPA (they weight and twirk the GPAs their own way) and 1300 SAT, so you have a fair chance. I know that USC is really big on legacies. If you have any family that attends or attended, that will definitely help. Also, leadership is a huge factor. I knwo someone who had average stats~3.5 GPA, 1270s and got into USC, I believe mainly for her leadership experience and her interview. Good luck with everything....</p>

16

<p>JTShocker - don't listen to the posters above that said you cannot get into UCBerkley or UCLA! </p>

<p>It is very easy to get into Berkeley/UCLA. Almost every student in California can get into those schools through the Community College system. If you do 2 years at a cheap CC, say Deanza College, and maintain a 3.5+ GPA, you are almost guaranteed into Berkeley/LA, and you are 100% guaranteed at all other UC's. This way, you save tons of money, and can squeeze into any UC you want :) Hope this helps....everybody in Cali does it, so you can as well. Just drive across the border and go to a CC and you'll be fine.</p>

17

<p>Badabing let me know about your letters. Did you interview with Pepperdine or Chapman? I'm split between the two, so waiting for something to push me towards one or the other. Thanks!</p>

<p>-Alex</p>

18

<p>Anyone, Anyone?</p>

<p>Thanks,</p>

<p>Alex</p>

19

<p>If you like Christian schools, consider Westmont. Also, have you looked at the Claremont Schools at all? Pitzer is definetely not a reach for you but you would be able to take classes at Claremont McKenna and Pomona if you went there, and the campus is beautiful.</p>

20

<p>Average SATs for the entering class of 2004 at USC was 1350 with a gpa around 4.0</p>