Freaking out about the future

Chance Me / Match Me!
1

<p>To start off, this is my first post on CC even though I have visited this site regularly for a few months. I just wish I knew about this site sooner. I know my stats aren't that terrible but they're not that outstanding either. Going through the threads on this site, I know there are students who are so much better than I am. Some freshmen even have better stats than me and I am currently a junior. </p>

<p>GPA (unweighted): 3.88
GPA (weighted): 4.16</p>

<p>AP Exams
Calculus AB: 5
World History: 5</p>

<p>SAT:2090 (I will retake it, I aim for a 2150-2200)
CR:720, M:680, W:690</p>

<p>ECs So Far (including this entire school year, all of them are ongoing)</p>

<p>NHS (1 year)
Key Club (3 years)
CSF- California Scholarship Federation (1 year)
Red Cross Club (1 semester)
Foreign Film Club President/Founder (1 year)
Cashier at Little Caesars (1 year)
Reading tutor at elementary school (About 1 semester)</p>

<p>Current Classes
AP Bio, AP US History, Eng 3, Spanish 3 (I will take Calc BC over the summer and Stats, AP Gov/Econ, Eng 4, AP Chem, and Physics next year)</p>

<p>Schools I am thinking about
UOP (pre dent program)
Upenn (I know..far reach..how can I get closer?)
UC Berkely
UC Davis
USC
Brown (Another far reach, I dont think I really have that much of a chance but I want to try and reach for it so that if I fall, I can land on a better safety)</p>

<p>I know I should plan to take the SAT Subject tests and improve my SAT scores. But what else can I do to improve my chances for college admission? I thought about shadowing a dentist and volunteering at a hospital but what else can I do? I am still a bit undecided on my major. Ideas please!</p>

<p>I know this is long, but PLEASE HELP :'(</p>

2

<p>hahahaha welcome to the death trap/ addictive site of CC… I spend more time on this site then doing HW!!! I would def try to raise your scores. A perfect score would guarantee admittance but it will help. </p>

<p>Your GPA is fine and dont compare yourself to FRESHIES. they were literally just born. Aps are not really offered Freshman year so they would have taken easier classes. </p>

<p>You dont really have unique EC and its seems like you do not stick with that long. Commitment to EC is very important. especially with selective college. It can make or break a decision. I would also pursue leadership roles. </p>

<p>Also have an interesting essay. Good luck!!!</p>

3

<p>double post awk…</p>

4

<p>UPenn: Reach
U Pacific 0-5 DDS: Match/high match (pre-dental works on the 1600 scale)
U Pacific 0-6 BS/DDS: Match
U Pacific 0-7 BS/DDS: Low match/Match
Berkeley: High match (is 4.16 your UCGPA?)
UCD: Low match
USC: High match</p>

5

<p>I think my UCGPA is 4.27</p>

6

<p>carolyn</p>

<p>First of all – don’t freak out. Your grades are good as are your SAT’s. Ultimately, if you do your job (a list of Reaches, matches and safeties; spend time on your essays, etc.) you will get into an excellent school.</p>

<p>So, what can you do as Junior to increase your chances – </p>

<p>Obviously get the best grades you can.</p>

<p>When you took the SAT, how did you prepare? Did you use a book, take a course, etc. Preparation can raise a score. Have you done a diagnostic, to see where likely areas for improvement are?</p>

<p>Have you considered the ACT – some students do better on the ACT than on the SAT. Also for many (though not all) schools, if you take the ACT, you don’t have to take any SAT II’s.</p>

<p>Talk about your list of schools with your GC. Talk about them with your parents (especially if you will need financial aid. Don’t get your heart set on a school, if you are unlikely to be able to afford it).</p>

<p>Does your HS offer assistance in writing your essays. If so, try to get a draft done early. (Now wouldn’t be a bad time – the college counsellors are likely to be somewhat slow after the Senior Class admissions are done). If you can catch people when they don’t have as much on their plates, you’ll get more attention.</p>

<p>Finally, for each school that you’re interested in, see if you can get data from the common data set (google <name of="" school=""> common data set). You will find a lot of information about what the schools are looking for. One thing to look for specifically is how much “demonstrated interest in the school” is a factor. If it is a factor – well demonstrate your interest. Visit if possible. In any case, if colleges visit your HS, go to a presentations to learn about the schools.</name></p>