Decent GPA, Good Test Scores, OK EC's, Searching for Colleges

College Search & Selection
1

<p>I'm an ordinary high school student (junior) looking for some advice. I've just started to consider the application process and I'm hesitant on which schools I should be aiming for.</p>

<p>In the first semester of my freshman year, I failed at my classes (4 B's and 1 C out of 7 classes), ending up with a total GPA of 3.53 UW that year. But my sophomore GPA is a 3.92 UW, 4.42 W and my current junior GPA is 4.0 UW, 5.0 W. I'll probably be applying for college with a GPA of 3.82 UW, 4.32 W. For the SAT I I scored 2330 (M=780, W=790, R=760), and I've gotten 800's on the Chemistry and Math II SAT II's. I've received a 230 on the PSAT as well, and I assume that this is enough for at least commended status, hopefully semi-finalist as well.</p>

<p>As for EC's, I've only done a few, and they're quite weak-Academic Team, Science Olympiad, a club that talked about diseases, volunteering at the library (haha), and tutoring both regular and special ed students. The only position I've ever held was VP of a club that went weekly to special ed schools and tutored them. I am applying to several summer programs (SSP, Salk/LSSI, SDCS, SIMR, NIH), and expect to go to one of them too, if that counts for anything.</p>

<p>I understand that colleges will see an upward trend in GPA as a good thing (kind of), but I don't know which colleges I should be looking at. My freshman grades have dragged down my overall GPA, so colleges that usually accept my range of testing scores don't match my GPA, and vice versa. In addition, my EC's really do leave a lot to be desired. I've considered the UCs, but other than that, I really do not know which schools I'd fit.</p>

<p>So, tl;dr, crappy freshman grades and EC's, but good everything else. Which colleges should I be considering to apply to?</p>

2

<p>I think you’re a good applicant for a vast majority schools, so can’t really recommend anything because I’m not sure what kind of school you’re looking for. Ivies and other extremely selective schools would be a reach but you should still apply because you might get in. Otherwise, just apply to schools you really like and you should have lots of acceptances come senor year :)</p>

3

<p>With your PSAT, you will make NMSF…that’s for sure.</p>

<p>What is your likely major and career goal?</p>

<p>What kinds of schools do you like?</p>

<p>What is your budget for college? How much will your parents pay?</p>

<p>If you need need-based aid, do you know if you’ll qualify for the aid you need based on your parents’ income and assets?</p>

4

<p>In the UC system (you’re in CA, right?), you are likely to fantastically well. The freshman GPA will not be as critical, and they are using a formula based approach where your test scores will have a big impact. The EC’s are also not as heavily considered --though you seem to have enough for many of the top schools anyway (good luck with the summer program apps!). So for your instates, you should consider UCB, UCLA, UCSD, etc…depending on what you are interested in studying…</p>

<p>What are your academic interests? What is your family able to afford? Do you qualify for need-based aid? </p>

<p>Your PSAT’s are enough to make semifinalist (2011 was a 219 in CA–they’ll release cutoffs for 2012 in August), so I’d add U Southern CA to your list to research. They have a half tuition scholarship available for NMF (21K this year). There are loads of other NM sponsored schools to consider as well, but this would be a great school that’s close to home for you to consider.</p>

<p><a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/national-merit-scholarships/1199607-national-merit-semifinalist-qualify-scores-class-2012-a.html[/url]”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/national-merit-scholarships/1199607-national-merit-semifinalist-qualify-scores-class-2012-a.html&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

<p>Your upward trend is a positive, so don’t worry too much. You will do well in admissions! Look at schools that have a holistic approach to admissions, and there are also schools that are known to be less concerned with freshman year (Princeton has that rumor on CC but there are others if you search threads).</p>

5

<p>Yeah your scores and GPA are wayy too low. Look at your local community college for a couple years.</p>

6

<p>I’m not exactly sure what I’ll major in, but I’m sure that it will be science related, like Chemistry, Biology, or Medicine, which I’m interested in. </p>

<p>I don’t really care about school size, but I’d prefer to be in a middle to large sized one, since I don’t do well in small classes, and in the city or the suburbs.</p>

<p>As for my college budget, I come from a rather well off middle class family, and my parents have sent aside a college fund, so I’m not expecting too much of need based aid, but I do plan to apply for some scholarships.</p>

<p>And, CuriousNigerian, er, are you trolling? I was quite sure that I’d be a match for UCSD, which is conveniently located as well.</p>

7

<p>Yes, that was a ■■■■■ comment --aren’t they adorable? Just ignore.</p>

<p>I agree, you are a match for UCSD, and may also really like UC Davis (UCB is a reach, but add it, it’s a reach for anyone). You have some great UC options essentially. You may also really like Pomona! Apply to Stanford as another reach, and I’d look at Rice too. Not sure if you have interest in venturing very far from CA, so am only suggesting schools that are closer to home. Go visit Pomona if you can!! </p>

<p>And apply to USC for National Merit scholarship (you are very likely to be a NMF). Apply EA since you are more likely to receive additional $$ along with the NMF scholarship if you apply early.</p>