Good Testing, Below Average GPA Needs Help Bigtime..Thx

Chance Me / Match Me!
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<p>Okay, I'm really new at this whole college deal, and I'm starting late so I need help. First, I'm not sure where I should be applying in terms of reaches, matches, safeties, etc. so if you have any good ideas in addition to the list I give, please tell me.</p>

<p>GPA: 3.65ish not including senior year, in which I'll get a 4.2ish. I have a strong course load in science and social studies, but I'm subpar in foreign languages. I have a strong upward trend.</p>

<p>Testing:
SAT I (First Attempt): Math 650 Verbal 690
SAT I (Second Attempt): Math 610 Verbal 800
SAT II (Only took once): Math IC: 620; Writing 700; US Hist 790
ACT (First Attempt): 30 (Eng 33; Reading 35; Science 26ish; Math 28)
ACT (Second Attempt): 33 (Eng 33; Reading 36; Science 32; Math 30)
Which scores should I submit to UC's, and which to privates? Are my II's sufficiently crappy that I should go with the ACT when possible or what?</p>

<p>EC's: Just the average crap - nothing awe-inspiring. Founder/pres of a teen issues club, volunteered for a program that seeks to instill respect into middle schoolers, piano, varsity track, sports editor for school paper, etc.</p>

<p>Recs/Essays: I know I will have one great rec from my English/Journalism teacher who loves me. Not sure about who I'll get additional recs from but they should be pretty good. I'm a strong writer, with a lot to write about for the essays so I would expect those to be pretty strong as well.</p>

<p>Tentative list of schools to apply to (Input realllly welcomed):
Boston College (Match)
Cal Poly - SLO (Match)
Oberlin (Matchish -- legacy should help)
UCSD (Match-Reach)
Middlebury (Reach)
NYU (Reach)
Amherst (Uber uber Reach)</p>

<p>Basically I need a safety and a couple matches, I think I have enough reaches. My preferences geographically are based on a proximity to snow or the beach. That is why I love the Northeast; one is right in the snow, while still being on a coast. Anyways I really need help so thank you verrrrry much.</p>

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<p>what do u intend to major in?
Boston College match
Cal Poly - not sure
Oberlin -not sure
UCSD match
Middlebury Reach
NYU match (not stern?)
Amherst match</p>

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<p>While I'm not 100% sure of what I intend to major in, my current ideas are either some sort of writing based major for a career as a writer/journalist, or more likely a biology major as a pre-med student.</p>

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<p>I hate bumping my posts, but please? Anyone?</p>

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<p>Cal Poly- match-safety
UCSD- match</p>

<p>Don't know about the others</p>

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<p>Are you in the top 10% of your class?</p>

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<p>My school doesnt rank but its definitely a hard school, so I'd guess would be in the top 15% (not sure where though).</p>

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<p>I think that your GPA is not that bad, especially if you come from a rigorous hs. Is it public or private?</p>

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<p>Here's my humble opinion of your school choices:</p>

<p>Boston College...Match
Cal Poly - SLO...Match/Safety
Oberlin...Match
UC-San Diego...Match/Reach
Middlebury...Reach
NYU...Reach/Match
Amherst...Reach</p>

<p>I'd recommend adding a few of these to your list, most are match/safety or safeties:</p>

<p>Lewis & Clark
Willamette
Evergreen State College
Colorado C
UColorado-Boulder
Mt. Holyoke (if woman)
Smith (if woman)
Scripps (if woman)
URochester
Wheaton C (MA)
Clark U
Villanova
Rollins
St. Mary's of Maryland
UMiami
UWashington-Seattle
Western Washington U
UPortland
Loyola (IL)
Tulane
College of Charleston</p>

<p>Again, just a few more suggestions by the water or in the snow belt. Hope this helps point you in the right direction. :)</p>

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<p>Im a guy for ur info, but thanks for the great post. I've been considering the Northwest as a sort of backup to the Northeast so I really am gonna check into those Lewis and Clark and Willamette type schools. THnaks a lot.</p>

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<p>No prob, dude. :)</p>

<p>Other schools that slipped my mind:
Pitzer (one of the Claremont Colleges)
U of San Diego
U of San Franscisco
Loyola Marymount
UPuget Sound
Goucher
Stetson.</p>

<p>Again, good luck with the search.</p>