<p>Okay I did bad in high school. My gpa was a 2.05 and my SAT score was only a 1680.</p>
<p>I went to CUNY City Tech as a result and I turned my grades around. I've got 48 credits and my gpa is 3.91 including A's in Calc 1, 2, 3, Chemistry and Physics.</p>
<p>I studied hard for the SAT all over again and this time got a 2240: 750 M, 790 W and 700 R.</p>
<p>I joined the Math club here and am the treasurer.</p>
<p>I'm going for Mechanical Engineering. </p>
<p>I'm applying to Columbia, Brown, Cornell, NYU, Upenn, URoch and USouthCalifornia. Do I have a shot at any of these?</p>
<p>My fail safe is Stony Brook which is pretty much a guarantee.</p>
<p>THanks</p>
<p>P.S If you have any advice on how to improve my chances, that would be greatly appreciated.</p>
<p>Well, that’s really cool that you improved so much! Colleges love that! First of all, you need a lot more EC’s to get into those schools. It also depends on how good your college essay is too. There are a lot of applicants like you that apply, but are rejected because they see the same type of thing most of the time. These type of schools want to see something diverse so do something “mind-blowing.”
I’m going to have to say ‘reaches’ for all the ivy’s. For the others i’d say a low reach or a high match. If your a junior, remember you have one more year to do something outstanding. And btw, don’t get all sad if you get rejected by any of the ivy’s, remember, more applicants apply than get in (even though it happens to like all schools lol)
good luck!</p>
<p>My dream college right now is Upenn. It’s close to where I live (NYC), I’m a low income student and they pretty much will provide a full ride, they have a great dual degree program that’s going to allow me to get an economics degree as well. It’s in the beautiful city of Philadelphia and its a university that’ll give me a real challenge, unlike the university I’m at right now.</p>
<p>It’s really the only college that meets all my needs and I really want to get in badly.</p>
<p>“I went to CUNY City Tech” Then go to CUNY Queens for 1 year and get into Columbia SEAS via 3-2 engineering. With a 3.5 college GPA and required engineering prerequisites, Columbia SEAS admission is guaranteed.</p>
<p>Yeah I considered that option as well but Columbia doesn’t guarantee 100% financial aid need for transfers. I was terrified that I wasn’t going to the aid that I need so I didn’t pursue it.</p>
<p>I would talk to someone at Penn about it. Transferring depends more on the department than a freshman application would. </p>
<p>I would also consider the Queens/Columbia option, and talk to their financial aid office about what need would be met. If you are low-income, they might meet 100% of your need, it’s others who only need maybe 25% of the total cost who might only get 80% need (20% of the cost).</p>
<p>(btw, getting in to graduate school for most programs at most Ivies is easier)</p>