<p>SAT: Don't know yet.
MATH II 740, US History MAY, Literature MAY</p>
<p>AP: European History 4
Junior scores will be in before apps are due (Prediction: > 4 on all)
Self studying Human Geography</p>
<p>Sophomore:</p>
<p>English 2 Honors A/A
European History AP A/A
Spanish 3 A/A
Biology 1 Honors A/B
Algebra 2 B/B
Psychology <em>/A
Research (Qtr.) A/</em>
Strength and Fitness A/A</p>
<p>Junior:</p>
<p>US History AP A/A
English Language AP A/A
Comparative Governments AP A/*
Psychology AP A/A
Precalculus A/A
Model United Nations A/A
Research (Qtr.) A/*
Cultural Anthropology A/A
Survey of Art History II A/A
Chemistry Honors A/A</p>
<p>The stars mean it was just a semester course.</p>
<p>Senior:</p>
<p>American Government AP
English Literature AP
Environmental Science AP<br>
Calculus AB AP
Economics AP
Model United Nations</p>
<p>Extracurriculars:</p>
<p>Model United Nations (11, 12)
Capitol Convoy @ Sacramento (11)
Poll Worker in Local Election (11)
USC Wrigley Institute for Environmental Research (Summer 10, Summer 11)
Cells Wholesale: E-commerce Retailer (Co-founder)
Internship Law Offices of ******* (Summer 11)
Internship ******** Insurance Company (Summer 11)
UVa Summer Russian Language Institute (Summer 12)
Cross Country (9)
Weightlifting (10)</p>
<p>College Credits:</p>
<p>University of Virginia: Russian Language (12 units)
LA Harbor College: Cultural Anthropology (3 units)
LA Harbor College: Survey of Art History (3 units)</p>
<p>Awards:</p>
<p>MUN Cerritos Conference - Excellence
MUN Mission Viejo Conference - Outstanding Delegate
Principal's Honor Roll (10, 11)
AP Scholar with Distinction
California Scholarship Federation Seal Bearer (10, 11, 12)
Reflections Awards for Musical Composition: 2nd Place</p>
<p>Your stats look good. With a strong SAT, you have an excellent chance at every UC, although sometimes admissions are a bit less predictable for Cal/UCLA. You seem like a good CMC candidate, given the political-theme of your ECs, as well as your general well-roundedness (again, this depends on strong SATs). As for Pomona and Stanford, they're semi-unpredictable for anyone. There's little about your application that's especially eye-catching, but you do show consistence, dedication, and achievement, which is no small feat. Score well, write good essays, obtain strong recommendations, and applying will be neither a waste of time nor money. It's hard to say much more without SAT scores, since those can really tilt an application one way or the other (especially one which, while VERY strong, doesn't have a lot of "flash" to it).</p>
<p>Good luck!</p>
<p>(ETA: USC seems like a very safe bet, as well, especially given CA residency and your past research involvement).</p>
<p>I'd apply out of state but it's too cold or too southern. And fyi, I excluded my freshman grades because they are a majority C's and some D's. The schools I am applying to aren't very concerned about them and I don't want to concern myself with them either :).</p>
<p>Student615 has very good advice, but I have one minor quibble in that USC does not give preference to in-state applicants. In fact, it's generally easier to get in out-of-state because USC is looking for regional diversity. Additionally, I wouldn't call it a safe bet without first having an SAT score to refer to. If the Math II score is any indication, the OP should be within range.</p>
<p>Woops, accidentally got logged into my friends account. I did wrigley through a chemistry and biology summer program where a spent a few days there.</p>
<p>
[quote]
i think you are in for usc
match for all the ucs except
stanford reach
claremont mckenna match
pomona slight reach
[/quote]
</p>
<p>Would these still be the case if the OP got an 1850 on the SATs? Not saying that will happen, but aren't you jumping the gun on telling the OP that he is in without first seeing SAT scores?</p>
<p>SFGiants, thanks for the push to clarify :-)</p>
<ul>
<li><p>When I say USC seems a safe bet, I do mean "given reasonable SAT scores."</p></li>
<li><p>Also, I did phrase things poorly when referring to CA residency, and SFGiant's comment seems quite logical. What I intended was not so much that USC gives in-state preference as much as it is that they are familiar with the various high schools, with programs like CSF, and so forth. Almost 100% of applicants from my CA HS were admitted to USC, and though nobody fell <em>widely</em> outside of the normal range, it was understood that our school had a reputation of which USC was aware. In fairness, this could either hurt OR help the OP.</p></li>
</ul>
<p>Your application looks good as a whole, but keep in mind i'm a bit paranoid since I'm applying to Pomona and Claremont next year, so i'm a bit of a perfectionist... anyways.</p>
<p>A couple concerns:</p>
<p>While frosh grades don't matter much, they do matter. However, strong senior grades might offset those C's and hopefully not D's... Stanford is the only one who excludes frosh grades.</p>
<p>Strength: Unlike me, your standardized test scores look solid :)</p>
<p>Concern: While your EC's are unique and pretty good in general, it seems that a lot of them are during the summer, which may hurt you. and it doesn't seem like you have a hook unless your research was beneficial or you are published.. These may hurt you when compared to someone who has a passion</p>
<p>Hopefully you have good essays and recs because they might be the deciding factor... i'd say Pomona is a reach. Stanford is a Large Reach. Claremont Mckenna is a slight reach. UC's you should be so high match for UCB..</p>
<ul>
<li><p>Though I also pointed out the lack of obvious "hook" in your application, I should qualify that statement, especially in conjunction with other posts. In fairness, all the "hook" does here is make it a lot easier for CC posters to judge your chances! Don't stress, b/c obviously most applying (and most accepted) students are not going to have published research or other crazy things. Having it helps you, but lacking it can't hurt. Schools are generally good at remembering that the people they're admitting are, above all, high schoolers. I think I phrased this poorly, but I hope you understand what I'm trying to say...</p></li>
<li><p>On a less positive note, don't be so quick to shrug off your freshman year grades. I had very similar circumstances (with valid but vaguely stated reasons), applied to some of the same schools, and I can assure you that they did care. It also really hurt my chances of merit aid across the board. It won't hurt you at the UCs, but CMC and Pomona will pay attention, especially if you lack a valid excuse. This isn't to say that it will make or break anything, but these grades are not invisible.</p></li>
</ul>
<p>Thanks for the responses. My excuse for my freshman grades is decently valid -- is there a place on the app, excluding the essay, where this can be explained?</p>