Hi guys. After a lot of thinking, planning, and talking to my counselor, I came up with my finalized college list. Let me know what you think!
Female from CA
Intended major: Biochemistry
GPA:
9-12: 4.35/3.80
10-12: 4.57/3.80
UC GPA: 4.07 HOWEVER ~ hoping all goes well this quarter, my GPA when I apply will be:
9-12: 4.40/3.81
10-12: 4.63/3.81
Test scores:
35 ACT
SAT Math II 770, Chemistry 720, will be taking Bio M in Nov.
APs: Physics 2 3, Bio 4, Chem 4, World 4, APUSH 4, Lang 5, Psych 5, Calc AB 5, Calc BC 5
Extracurriculars:
Hospital volunteer (~150-200 hours)
Co-editor of cultural newsletter
Vocal musician of 12+ years
Interned at comp. biochem lab over summer; did cancer research
Possibly will start interning at wet lab in a few weeks
do you really need 4 safeties? Assuming your family can afford everything on your list, it seems a bit larger than you need. While I realize the UC’s are one app, it’s still a lot of app fees. 15 schools is a lot, personally I would try to cut it down as it doesn’t need to be as large as it is.
@eandesmom I am trying to apply to a lot of safeties since I’m very paranoid. But yes, I do agree it’s a lot of money; I’m just scared I won’t get into any of my matches. Which schools would you suggest I cut out?
However, as your list currently stands, you will be getting into a lot of schools. If you have included some just for the purpose of having additional layers of assurance, these should probably be eliminated at this stage.
@merc81 That’s certainly good to hear. But like I said, I’m just really paranoid…I feel like I should have a lot of safeties/matches just in case. Better safe than sorry right?
@wormholes : The main aspect to your current list is that it appears nicely improved from the one on your last thread, in that more schools seem to be included for well-thought-out reasons. As a lark kind of prediction, though, I’d say you would be accepted into at least eleven from your list as you it have posted here.
@Futuremed17 That is a lot of money. I guess I will narrow it down. Any suggestions of what I should take out?
@merc81 Haha yes I definitely took all of your great advice and modified my list into something quite a bit shorter and much more affordable. Is there any one of the three categories in which you think I have too many schools?
If I knew more about the UCs and Cal States, I’d be more confident in suggesting you remove all but the two or three you would most like to attend. However, perhaps these schools really can be somewhat aleatory in their decisions, so I’d be reluctant to advise you against your own sense of caution.
@merc81 Yeah, my top 3 are Berkeley/LA/SD but all three are quite competitive, especially the first 2. I think I have a decent chance, but I’m not banking on them. How do you think my chances are at the Ivies and CMU?
Wormhole, UNLESS you are a first generation college student ,as well as a Calif resident , UCB, UCLA, And UCSD should NOT be considered matches. Nor should USC, which rejects thousands of NMSF’s each year .
For USC in particular, you need to show GENUINE interest in going there , since accepting you means they would be giving up )$120000 over 4 years .
So unless you would be HAPPY to go to any of your safeties, I suggest you find some more match schools where you have a 40% or above chance of acceptance .
@menloparkmom I am a CA resident but not a first gen. I am aware that UCB and LA are likely high matches/low reaches, but I thought UCSD was a match? Is there a reason why UCSD wouldn’t be a match? My stats are pretty close to/above their averages, and I am not applying for a capped major. I thought the same for USC. Anyways, I will try and find more matches. Thank you for the response.
Your stats are well within the ordinary definitions of “statistical matches” for USCD, BUT various UC campuses set aside a very hi % of spots for FIRST generation students- at UCB last year is was 40%!!!, UCLA was 30%. A friend of mine is a college counselor here in Calif, and last year so many of the stellar ,non first generation kids that SHOULD have gotten into UCB or UCLA -were shut out. I dont know how much that is changing this year, but I would not count on it being lowered by much, if at all.
There simply isnt enough space at those 3 campuses for all “qualified” Calif residents.
A match should mean an acceptance rate around 40%.
USC last year was 18%.
Not a match for ANYONE.
@menloparkmom WOW! I was not aware of that. Where were you able to find that info? I didn’t know first-gen students had THAT much of an advantage. Are these students up to par with non-first gens in terms of stats or is their bar set lower? Also, would you say my chances at UCSD would be improved considering I interned with a prof there? Also good to know about USC. Thank you for all the answers!
from my friend, the college counselor. Shes been in this business for 30+ years, knows her stuff, and she and other college counselors were frankly unhinged when they found out the % of first generation students that the UC’s were planning on admitting at various campuses at a UC / college counselor conference last year.
“” I didn’t know first-gen students had THAT much of an advantage."
they DO, at the UCs that are hardest to get into.
“Are these students up to par with non-first gens in terms of stats or is their bar set lower?”
I dont know but I suspect that a “finger is put on the scale” for first generation students, especially those who come from poorer circumstances.
"Also, would you say my chances at UCSD would be improved considering I interned with a prof there?’
It might help. but the admissions criteria are not transparent and it may not mean much.
Be sure you mention that in your USC application, as it demonstrates to your passion for Bio-Chemistry.
AND if you can, get a LOR from that Prof to send to the admissions offices AND to the dean of the Chemistry depts at all the private colleges you are applying.
@menloparkmom Wow, I see. That’s rather disconcerting to hear, and IMO it’s unfair to those non-first gen students. I will definitely ask the prof for a letter of rec for USC, CMU, and Ivies - he/she is extremely well-known and accomplished in the field. How would you say my chances are at CMU/Ivies? Is there any point in even applying? Also, I forgot to mention in the previous answer that I was considering UCSD/LA/B/USC matches based on my school’s Naviance, but I’m guessing that’s not the best indicator. Thanks once again.
I don’t understand applying to all 4 of those Ivies except for “prestige” regardless of fit. Brown and Columbia are academic opposites, Cornell and Columbia are location opposites, and UPenn has a little in common with the other 3. I know kids apply to all of them, but it shows the applicant hasn’t really figured out “fit”.
