Chances for some colleges

Chance Me / Match Me!
1

<p>Hello. Just joined the site, and I need your advice.</p>

<p>I'll start off with basic academic stats:
My Junior year GPA is 2.8 unweighted (awful, I agree), but with an increasing trend since Freshman year, as my Freshman year GPA was around 2.1. My goal is to achieve a 4.0 GPA by the end of the semester.
My ACT composite score was 24 (awful, I agree), but again I wish to replace it with a better score on the SAT which I will take this November.
No extracurricular activities whatsoever. However I have +300 hours of volunteer hours at a local child-care center (in case they matter, even by little).
3 on the AP chemistry exam. Indeed not extraordinary, but according to my teacher I was the only one from that class to pass with a 3 or more on that exam. Surprised yes, but I still am in doubt of whether I should mourn or rejoice.</p>

<p>And some miscellaneous stats in hope to appeal holistic admissions:
18 years old, senior in high school. I was held back a year when I first immigrated from a different country, because I couldn't speak English back then.
Fatherless since age of 10. Lives with a singe mom and a sister, somehow sustaining indulgence-allowing life with less-than-minimal income. <-- yes. Less than minimal.
A compelling essay, if I say so myself.
Again to boast, I think of myself a competent persuader. I believe I can score a strong expression on any admission interviews, if I have a chance.</p>

<p>Some "selective colleges" I dream to attend are:
Occidental College
UC Berkeley
Harvey Mudd
Scripps
... and any small, selective liberal arts colleges with strong reputation on science and literature in the west coast really.</p>

<p>If otherwise then I'll be delighted to attend my state university or Maharishi University of Management, but I believe I have nothing to lose by opening up for opportunities. My doubts lie on ASU, for it is too big and has some alienating reputations. And MUM for it doesn't offer my major. Otherwise, MUM would have been my dream college.</p>

<p>So in conclusion; ambitious, yet with incompetent specifications. I apologize for making it too long (and boasting too much haha). Its becoming a habit.</p>

<p>Any advice, bitter or sweet, will help. If you've come this far to be reading this sentence, I appreciate your effort greatly. Thanks.</p>

2

<p>Harvey Mudd: High reach
Scripps: High reach
Occidental: Reach
ASU: Safety</p>

<p>For Berkeley, come back here after you removed freshman year off the GPA…</p>

3

<p>Thanks, Catria. So very slim, but I do have a chance at those colleges. Just learned that Scripps is a women’s college, so I assume I can’t enroll :(</p>

4

<p>You admitted yourself that your statistics are pretty bad. You can sure as hell try, but I’d assess your chances like this (using your current statistics):</p>

<p>UC Berkeley: Very High Reach
Harvey Mudd: Very High Reach
ASU: Low Match/ Safety</p>

<p>I’d say that there is an incredibly slim chance that you could pull off either of the first two if you manage to score higher than a 2300 on your SAT.</p>

5

<p>Realistically, your stats are pretty low for those top schools. Try your GPA without freshman year and see what that does for Berkeley. Otherwise, might want to look at more schools in your number range. However, your unique personal hardships could factor some into decisions, I’m not sure, and I don’t know if it would be enough, I’m not an admissions officer. </p>

<p>I understand what it’s like to visit college confidential and get all dreamy-eyed and I really don’t mean to be harsh!!! I’m sure you’re an awesome person, it’s just that schools really care about who you are on paper, and the numbers do matter.</p>

6

<p>Berkeley may very well not care about freshman year in high school, but UW without freshman year is still ~3.1-3.2…</p>

<p>Berkeley: High reach</p>

7

<p>I see. A possibility is all I needed. Thanks for all the great advices!!</p>