<p>I'm a senior from Guam, USA, and up to now I still have no idea of what colleges I want to go to. My parents are planning on moving somewhere in California soon, probably around San Diego. Many of my friends and classmates say they're going to college in California. I also have some relatives and friends who live there. So naturally, I'thinking of going to college in California. </p>
<p>My stats:
SAT - 1400 (750V 650M)
SAT IIs - taking them Saturday, hope to at least 600 on each
GPA-3.9 RIC-#2(might go down, but still in top 10%)
No Honors or AP classes, though all my classes are supposed to be 'honors level'
ECs: computer club president, yearbook layout editor, youth group leader, bowling team captain, plus like 7 other clubs</p>
<p>Right now I'm thinking of the UCs (UCSD, UCB, UCLA, UCSB) and USC for possible match/reach schools. Because I'm out-of-state I'll probably have a hard time getting to the UCs though. Some people are also telling me Stanford, but I don't think I have a shot there (or do I?). Are there any other top California colleges? I know I'm missing some. Is there a site with a list or something? As for safeties, maybe USD, USF, and SDSU or other non-UC state schools.</p>
<p>But still I don't want to limit myself to just California. Do I have a good chance at the Ivies or other prestigious schools? </p>
<p>This is really kinda late to start making a list of schools, isn't it?</p>
<p>UC Berkeley
Stanford
CalTech
UCLA
Pomona
Harvey Mudd
UC San Diego
Occidental
UC Santa Barbara
Pepperdine
Claremont McKenna
UC Irvine
UC Davis
University of San Diego
Cal Poly San Luis Obispo
Loyola Marymount</p>
<p>I urge you to look at the colleges in the Claremont University Consortium. Depending upon your interests and personality, you will likely find a school in the consortium that you find attractive. While Pomona is the most selective of the group (they accept roughly 20% of applicants), you can receive a fine education at any of the other schools in the Consortium, which include Claremont McKenna College, Harvey Mudd College, Pitzer College, and Scripps College.</p>
<p>Outside California but on the west coast, I suggest that you check out Reed College in Portland, Oregon and Whitman College in Walla Walla, Washington. Academically, both have excellent reputations.</p>
<p>If your parents are definitely moving to CA - how long will it take you to establish state residency? How will that affect admissions? In an "ordinary" state, that would be my recommendation - just to save money if nothing else, but usually that will give you a leg up in admissions as well.</p>
<p>Claremont McKenna College is on par with the ivies, so if you want to go to school in California you should definitely look into it (<a href="http://www.mckenna.edu%5B/url%5D">www.mckenna.edu</a>). As for your stats, they are a little low. Admissions have been very competitive lately, so you should consider retesting. Keep your grades up, too- you might have to fight your way through a wait list.</p>