<p>I am a 16 yr. old female… going to be a senior at a competitive high school in southern California…</p>
<p>SATs:
1st try: CR 650, W 720, M 560
2nd try: CR 720, W 630, M 600</p>
<p>SAT IIs:
Biology E- 630
US History- 750
Literature- 660</p>
<p>ACT:
1st try: 29</p>
<p>APs:
English Language: 4</p>
<p>GPA:
Freshman Year: UW 3.8, W 3.8
Sophomore Yr: UW 4.0, W 4.2 (2 honors classes)
Junior Year: UW 4.0, W 4.42 (3 honors, 1 AP class)
Senior Year core courses:
AP Gov
AP Spanish IV
AP English
Honors Physics
Math Analysis</p>
<p>Extra Curriculars:
Club Soccer (since 6th grade)- 2 year Captain
HS Soccer (3 year Varsity)- Senior year Captain
California Scholarship Federation
Red Cross Club
High School Volleyball (2 years -Captain)</p>
<p>Awards:
Scholastic Acheivement Award (10th grade)- issued by teachers
CIF Academic All-League (2 years)
Most Improved Player (HS Soccer-11th grade)
Best Defensive Player (HS Volleyball-9th grade)</p>
<p>I would appreciate ANY suggestions for things I should focus on or highlight in my application </p>
<p>I applied to Cal Poly this last year (and got in!) and the application was very grade and test score oriented. The only thing they asked about extra curricular activities was approximately how many hours per week I spent on them and if I had any leadership positions. They also asked how many hours per week I spent working and if it was major related. There is also no essay, so it is much harder to distinguish yourself from other students as it is with a UC or private app. </p>
<p>So for Cal Poly (and other state schools), you should do your best in your classes senior year and maybe try taking SAT or ACT again, though your scores look good enough to get in. Also, Cal Poly doesn't count SAT II or SAT writing scores. </p>
<p>Another big factor is what major you're applying for. The departments decide who gets in, so if you're going for engineering, architecture, or business, it's harder to get in. </p>
<p>Cal Poly is a great school, but you should know what you want to major in because you have to declare your major and it can be difficult to change it (depending on what it's being changed to). </p>
<p>That said, you definitely have a chance to get in.</p>