So I’m stressing out over college. Seems like the only thing on my mind. So my story: basically I’m a junior in a school in South Carolina. It’s a pretty big school, offering over 12 AP classes and I’m thinking of graduating a semester early. I’ve taken nothing but Honors and AP classes. Some of which include AP Lang, AP Lit, AP Calculus AB, AP Calculus BC, AP Computer Science and AP Environmental Science. So far so good, all of my AP’s were A’s except for Calculus AB, I got an 88 as the final grade (keep in mind an 85-92 is a B in SC). My class rank is 35/827, so top 4 percent. My ACT score is a 30. I have a job, I do volunteer work and I’m starting on creating my own foundation for kids in need. I also have a summer job as an intern at a biotech company in south San Francisco. I really want to take AP Chem and AP US History but with graduating early, it’s impossible. Also I’m thinking about majoring in one of the sciences or going into business. Haven’t decided yet. My plan (if I graduate early) is to enroll in a community college in SF and take some classes to get basic classes knocked out and also work at the biotech company…that’s IF I get accepted to UCB or Stanford. But my main question is: will graduating early and not taking AP Chem/AP Bio/APUSH hurt my chances of getting into Cal or Stanford? Or should I just graduate with my class?
There is a good chance that UCB and Stanford will not let you go to a CCC before attending there. That would make you a transfer student (and no in-state rates at UCB if that’s what you’re trying for). Graduate with your class. It’s much easier to manage.
Your enthusiasm is apparent, but your plan has holes.
You have no idea if S or UCB will accept you. UCB is $50k+ for OOS students. Will your parents pay that? Will your parents pay whatever S says they should pay?
Graduating early and moving to SF won’t do you any favors. It’s doubtful that you could earn enough to support yourself. And again, what if neither UCB nor Stanford accept you?
Have you asked your parents how much they’ll pay each year?
I would recommend you consider retaking the ACT if you are aiming for UCB and Stanford, 30 will not cut it. If you plan to major in science, then AP Chem/AP Bio should be on your list of HS classes. If you graduate early and take classes at a CC, you will no longer be eligible to apply as a Freshman but as a Transfer student as indicated by @Erin’s Dad. Stanford is nearly impossible to get into as a transfer student and UCB requires Junior level standing. I do not see any advantage of graduating a semester early. Take those AP classes, continue to work hard and do well and enjoy Senior year…
Berkeley does admit many junior-level transfer students from California community colleges. However, a top-notch college record is needed for admission (high school stuff is not required for junior-level transfers, although AP scores may be used for some requirements in some cases – see http://www.assist.org and departmental web sites). Also, moving to California for school, particularly as a dependent student with non-California-resident parents, will not get you California residency for tuition purposes.
Stanford admits very few transfer students at all. Although many of the few whom it does admit come from community colleges, it appears that many of those come from non-traditional backgrounds (e.g. military veterans).
What is wrong with finishing high school normally?
Also, since you are able to get a summer job at a biotech company in the San Francisco area, it appears that the benefit of going to a school local to that area is less for you than for others. I.e. if you can get that while still a high school student, what prevents you from getting a job at such a company as a student at Clemson or USC?
Easiest is to graduate with your class and take the AP courses.
Moving to SF is more risky. However, if you do, you could take some CC courses if you make sure UCB or Stanford will accept them as college credits (find out from the CC). My brother attended Foothill CC (Los Altos, near Stanford) and then transferred to UCB (computer science), so it is possible.
I’m not relying on admission to any OOS schools. I’ve got family in the Bay Area that have extremely good connections and they’re also offering to cosign for me. I come from a low-income family, will UCB or Stanford offer good financial aid for me as an OOS student?
UC’s give little to no FA for OOS students so expect your costs for UCB to be around $55K/year. Stanford does give good FA if accepted.
@ucbalumnus Clemson and USC are the two instate schools I’m applying to as back ups if I don’t get into a UC school. They’re just not my first option considering they’re not as well known as Cal and Stanford. Money is probably the last thing on my mind when it comes to schools right now, considering my family in SF really want me to make it out there so they can help me out and help pay for my tuition.
Oh and what if I don’t take classes at a community college and just work for this company? Would Stanford and Cal think I’m a lazy student? But I’ve weighed my options and decided against early graduation. AP Chem at my school is one of the best AP classes it offers (the teacher is incredible) and it could help me out in the long run. Still trying to decide between an investment banker or surgeon, so I have to choose between AP Bio and AP Chem.
Have they explicitly told you that they will cover your costs including out-of-state tuition for attending a California public university?
Given how expensive medical school is, it may be better to conserve your and your relatives’ money for the expensive medical school costs if you choose to pursue the medical route.
I agree with @ucbalumnus - UCB not worth paying OOS tuition if you’re planning on going to grad school anyway. Save the money and apply to UCB for grad school (more valuable than doing undergrad there). I’d recommend just applying to Stanford EA and see what FA you get.
“Still trying to decide between an investment banker or surgeon”
If I may, you seem to have taken advantage of your opportunities. Congrats! I believe it’s very wise not to graduate early – you only diminish your overall chances at top schools. As for your career aspirations, perhaps you can tone down the all or nothing, glamor career language? It can betray a lack of sophistication versus a strong commitment to being a great scholar and student which is what top schools will be looking for
In general, I bet most high school students think that medicine, law, engineering and IB are the only worthy careers out there. You don’t want to be lumped into that group of shallow thinkers.
If you’ve not already wrapped your mind to it, I hope the idea of getting a quarter million in loans for UCB no longer sounds reasonable to you. (btw, no bank would loan you that much and no relative would cosign that either)
Also, a 30ACT won’t cut it for Stanford either
Keep asking questions. Good luck
Don’t graduate early. Spend the extra semester taking those last AP classes, and work on that ACT score. A 30 frankly isn’t very competitive for Stanford (people with 35s and 36s often get rejected). It’s not impossible to get admitted with a 30, but a 33+ would be better.
I’m also not an expert on CC, but as I understand it if you graduate from high school, attend CC, then apply to Cal, you’ll be considered a junior transfer applicant. This comes with it’s own set of requirements which will end up messing with your timetable - you’d probably have to spend a lot longer in CC to fulfill class requirements for a transfer to your specific major. Stanford would probably also see you as a transfer applicant and their transfer admissions are even more strict than freshman admissions.
In summation, graduate with your class, work on your ACT score, and apply as a high school senior instead of a CC student.
Not familiar with CC or Cal but I believe Cal does admit people for spring semester (usually someone who was involuntarily deferred from Fall.) You may want to look into that. They may be more likely to take you if they have actual admissions (as opposed to deferrals). The people deferred do not get housing for Fall but can do a Gap semester or take classes at Cal or a local college (I forget) but you may want to look into it.
Unless you have major hooks, you need to raise the 30 as everyone said.
The AP Chemistry class sounds amazing and may be worth staying.