<p>Major: Chemistry/Biology/Biological Sciences/BioChemistry
Southern California Resident
Ethnicity: Iranian Male
SAT: First Time (1820/2400) Second Time (1920/2400) Third Time (1960/2400) Fourth time (Took it in December HOPEFULLY OVER 2000/2400)</p>
<p>Freshman Classes:
English 9: B A
P.E.: B A
Health/Geography: A A
Geometry: A A
CP Biology: B B
French: 1 A A</p>
<p>= 3.67 GPA</p>
<p>Sophomore Classes:
Chemistry: A B
P.E.: A A
Algebra 2: A A
AP Euro: C B
French 2: A A
English 10: A A</p>
<p>= 3.83 GPA</p>
<p>Junior Classes (am currently in the second semester/Am projecting 2nd semester grades)
Pre-Calc/AP Calc: A A
AP Chemistry: A A
French 3: A A
AP Environment: A A
AP US: B A
AP English(First Semester)/Advanced English 11 (Second) : C+ A
Introduction To Theater Arts Community College : A</p>
<p>= 4.25 </p>
<p>Senior Classes (plan to take)
AP Literature
AP Biology
AP Economics/Early Release
AP Calc BC
AP French
AP Government</p>
<p>Extra-Curriculars:
Young Democrats President 2 Years
Rubiks Cube For Noobs (Treasurer)
CSF Member w/ Honor Badge since 7th Grade: 6 Years
Science Olympiad 2 Years (Webmaster)</p>
<p>although numbers do matter, taking the SAT for four times might look fishy to those top UCs, which I wouldn't suggest doing so. In deed, I was told by an admission representative not to take the test for so many times. It only shows you are playing with chance. Plus, your previous three test scores didn't really show a huge jump. These are just my suggestions.</p>
<p>i agree w/ jovil, 4 sats will not hurt for lower tier colleges but it hurts alot for privates...not quite sure regarding ucb and la's policies now due to their suggestion on conducting holist. evaluations</p>
<p>poverty counts as personal obstacles but has nothing to do with how many times you take the SAT. How they treat for things like low income statues is that they will understand that you might recieve less help in terms of your educational opportunities. For UCB and UCLA, although numbers still mean something to them, they really sought to find individuality among different applicants. In that sense, if you take so many times for the SAT, obviously they will know that you are just aiming for the numbers, which is something they dislike. My advice is that three times is more than enough (there is not much differences between 1960 and 2000. If you are gonna take the fourth time, then maybe 2200 is what we are talking about here). At least that was what the representative from berekeley told me. Hopefully, you have written a kick ass personal statement that really shows who you are and your passion for learning because that's what makes people get in there. Apparently there is something called admission by exception. If UCB (not sure LA) really likes an applicant, but the applicant's stats is a bit low, they can accept this applicant to the spring term (this takes about 6% of the applicant pool).</p>
<p>you lack volunteer hours and a job to pull your borderline stats in for ucla.. especially if you want to go into science. </p>
<p>Also, I wouldnt suggest applying to all those campuses.. I'm pretty sure each campus within the UC System can see which other ones you've applied to.</p>
<p>With UCLA, UCB< UCSD< UCI< UCD, UCR seems like you're willing to settle for anything.</p>
<p>I really want UCLA or UCSD. I honestly wouldn't mind UCSD. Sure it's not a big sports school to watch (I don't play lol) but I really like the 6 college system. LA is just a whole different world!!</p>
<p>You don’t have anything outstanding at all. Your the average “low-income” applicant they see all the time. 170 hours is lacking. Most people dedicated over 300+ hours + went into fields of their interest, ie: research projects, internships, etc…</p>
<p>UCLA/UCB are low reach imo. </p>
<p>Taking SATs 4 times is definitely a BAD strategy. ALL the people have said take no more than three times. Fourth time is just gambling.</p>
<p>Your score jumps from SAT shows you didn’t prepare enough for each new attempt, therefore a fourth try wouldn’t do you ANY better.</p>
<p>None of your ECs reflect your desire in any science fields, and depending SOLELY on poverty level is quite stupid.</p>
<p>I didn’t depend on my low-income for a family of 5, I took my time with things I did that would make the application appeal more optimal for their standards. </p>
<p>UCSD is a reach. UCLA/UCB are low reach and the rest are all matches.</p>
<p>I am not sure how a family of four on a 20K budget can afford taking the SAT 4 times, but if you really are that low income you should look into the questbridge program. You should also open it up beyond the UCs to some Liberal Arts Colleges and universities that offer need based aid (full rides in many cases). </p>
<p>Also, Cali is super competitive you should look out of state. </p>
<p>As for the UC’s </p>
<p>Cal and UCLA are reaches
UCSD is a slight reach
UCSB, UCD and UCI are matches
UCR and UCSC should be no problem but likely it will be one or the other. </p>
<p>You should definitely do Questbridge if your family income is legit.</p>
<p>I have gone to the Stanford Meet and Greet and the admission rep. said that it’s ok to take the SAT’s several times. Someone asked him point blank if it hurt his chances. He advised that he take the highest scores to the admissions Dean to get a person admitted. Also if you attend a CA high school you may be eligible for ELC ( eligibility in local context) if you are in the top 4% of your class. They will notify you during the summer prior to your senior year. It will guarantee your admission to certain UC’s like Davis, Irvine, Riverside. I will be attending UCLA in the fall.</p>
<p>Taking the SAT’s four times is a very bad strategy. If you want to transfer later to a private school, those four static scores won’t look good on your application. 170 hours of community service is very minimal and not impressive. There are tons of applicants who have (400-500)+ hours of community service. However, writing a good essay will help.</p>