Do I have any chance??

Applying to College
1

<p>I am totally crestfallen.
I never took any Pre-AP/Honors classes in my freshman year...none at all
I guess I can't blame myself because I didn't know that you could take honors classes since I had just moved to US at that time.
My sophomore year was flooded with low A's
Junior year- the only good year...I am currently making a GPA of 4.51.
I hate to disclose my cumulative GPA which is about 3.8
I am in top 10% of my class and can probably score over 2100 on the SAT I.</p>

<p>My problem is that my parents want me to go to somewhere like Duke, Vanderbilt, UCB, or Carnegie Mellon and I know that I don't stand a chance of going there. Not with such a low GPA that I have and without much EC either.
Should I do community service for about 80-100 hours in order to compensate for not being a leader of a club/organization??
I don't know, I am so distressed...wished we moved here earlier
What would you guys say?
Do I stand a chance in getting admitted to any of those colleges?</p>

2

<p>are you saying 3.8 weighted or unweighted? If it's unweighted then you do stand a chance at the places your parents want you to go.</p>

3

<p>If you like the schools your parents suggest, by all means, apply there. Just have some safeties and matches you apply to as well. Your school counselor might have some advice about your chances or recommendations for schools to look at.</p>

<p>Don't do tons of community service if you don't really want to. Find some activity--anything, really--that you like, and do it. If there's an interest of yours which has no club or organization, start one! That's a better way to show initiative and leadership than hours of volunteering just to pad your resume.</p>

4

<p>weighted, I know it's horrible</p>

5

<p>austin:</p>

<p>Assuming you are a California resident,
UCB: Slight Reach</p>

6

<p>If you get some more EC/ Volunteer hours under your belt, id say your in good shape for Berkeley, if you are instate. They do not count Fresh Year. </p>

<p>And for all your colleges, If possible you should try to use the fact that you moved from outside the US as some sort of hook.</p>

7

<p>Same, you're looking good for Berkeley, 3.8 is average cumulative GPA for acceptees, you're right on track if you can get to or above that, should turn out fine.</p>

8

<p>GPA of 2.8/4.51 IS NOT LOW.</p>

<p>A 2100 SAT score IS NOT BELOW STANDARD either, EVEN at the Ivies.</p>

<p>It all depends on your ECs, personal interests, essays, maybe a kickass hook, along with a 2100 SAT side dish and a "decent" GPA to get you into the ivies. </p>

<p>I have much lower stats than you, but I never felt discouraged to submit my application to Harvard this December. </p>

<p>There are a NUMBER OF of kids who have a 2000-range SAT and average GPAs who have been accepted by numerous ivies. In fact, your academic qualifications at the moment is just RIGHT for the top 25 schools (as long as you bump up your EC involvment). This year, there were a number of kids who receive PERFECT SAT scores and PERFECT GPAs getting rejected by the ivies.</p>

<p>So, cheer up.:)</p>

9

<p>Seriously, my SAT was below 2000 and my weighted GPA 4.03 and I got into Berkeley.</p>

10

<p>A weighted GPA of 3.8 is not "horrible." I honestly think you have a shot at Berkeley as it stands.</p>

11

<p>Yeah, I had a 30 ACT and a 3.47 unweighted/4.0weighted gpa and I got into Tufts this year. Good luck!</p>

12

<p>I am not that popular so I don't think I can be a leader of an organization.
How do you open your own club/organization?
How many students do you have to aggregate in order to open a club?</p>

13

<p>Strykur - SAT < 2000 and 4.03W GPA ==> UC Berkeley?
What do you think got you in besides the stats? Personal Statement, or Essay or Strong ECs, or all? Do you mind sharing a little? Thanks</p>