Hi,
I am a junior in high school and am starting the college search. I live in California. My weighted GPA after this year will be a 3.66 and my weighted GPA for sophomore and junior year will be a 3.875. My ACT score is a 27. I have a lot of extra curriculars; I am an Eagle Scout, I have many hours of service work, I was captain of my club sport for two years of high school and I was on a varsity sport team twice sophomore year and once junior year. I also have my own photography business - I sell my photos online as well as at the local farmers market every weekend. I am planning to apply for a business major. These are my top reach schools that I really would love to get into.
UC Santa Barbara
Cal Poly San Luis Obispo
Cal State Long Beach
USC
Pepperdine
How good of a chance do I have getting into these schools? Has anyone got in with similar stats?
One last question… My mom thinks it would be good idea to apply to the harder schools with a photography major because I could send in my portfolio which is extremely developed and is very professional. Once I get in I can apply for a minor in business or try to switch my major. Please let me know what you guys think! Thanks.
@jimmycinnamon
There is no sense in sugar-coating it for you, so I will just be direct. USC is virtually out of the question with those stats. I think you have decent shots at UCSB, Pepperdine, and CSLB. I don’t know enough about CPSLO to comment. Certainly nothing to stop you from applying to USC as a reach, as long as you know it is pretty unlikely. But hey, I have never seen your portfolio, so who knows. I just think that even if you are great as a photographer, they will be afraid you will struggle in your academic classes.
Totally understand. UCSB is my #1 choice. Does anyone know where I can find stats on people who got into the UCSB art program (GPA - ACT scores)?
USC :Reach
SLO/UCSB: Low Reach
Pepperdine/CSULB: Match/High Match
For USC, UCSB, SLO your GPA and ACT score are below the average. Your photography business would make a good essay along your good portfolio (if they would take into consideration), so it could bump your chances a bit for UCSB but you really need to get your ACT score into the 30+ range and work on your GPA.
SLO admissions does not take EC’s too much into account so see no boost there.
Do most of these schools even have a photography major besides CSULB?