OK, the same as title. I'm a Junior now and I'm beginning to worry about colleges. I'm in an international private school in Memphis and I'm an international student from China and I came here last year. Now, I'm taking IB full diploma with 4 HLs which is really challenging for me. And after I estimate my GPA I think I can get a GPA between 4.3 and 4.6(weighted). However, I'm pretty bad at any tests on English, such as the English and reading part in the ACT test. I only can score about 21 in both section while I can score 34 on math and about 28 on science. So overall my ACT is about 26 but it is still not enough to get in to my dream university,UCLA. I just want to ask that do I have any chance to get in UCLA? Except for my scores, I also do some other activities like Basketball team,club president, 40+ volunteer hours, host of Chinese New Year Festival... AND BTW since I'm going to spend 3 years in the US high school, am I still apply to colleges as an international student?
Order of importance for the UC’s: GPA/Test Scores/HS course rigor/Essays and EC’s.
Average ACT for UCLA: 31
English/Reading scores are an important indicator for doing well in any college although it looks like you seem to doing fine in your HS courses. If you do not have these skills, it may be difficult to succeed in a faster paced environment. If possible, hire a tutor to work on these two areas.
There is no reason not to apply, just be aware that it may not be possible to fulfill that dream unless you can get those scores up.
Good Luck.
Thanks