Hi everyone, my brother is a rising junior, and he hasn’t done too hot the past two years. My family (including my brother) would like to know what he should do to go to a decent college (UCs, some nice CSUs, maybe a private college, etc.). Here’s his profile:
UW GPA: 3.393
W GPA: 3.46
PSAT: 150 something (don’t know exact score)
SAT: currently scoring 1800 on practice tests, signed up for all 4 remaining sittings of the SAT
SAT Subject Tests: 740 Chem, 720 Bio E
Class Standing: Most likely bottom quarter in class of around 520 (unknown)
Asian Male
Courseload and grades:
Freshman
Freshman Lit B/B
Chinese 2 A/A
Java Programming: B/B
Geometry: A/A
PE A/A
Biology B/B
Orchestra A/A
Sophomore
Sophomore Lit B/B
World History B/B
Chinese 3 A/A
Chem H C/C
Alg 2/Trig B/B
PE A/A
Business B/A
Junior Planned
US History
Chinese 4H
Pre-Calc H
AP Bio
Junior Lit
Teacher’s Assistant
ECs:
Essentially none.
He volunteered for like 10 hours
He attended some lecture series at Stanford
No awards
Intended Major: BME/Biology track
What should my brother do to improve his chances for schools like SJSU, Cal Poly SLO, and some lower UCs? My parents are planning to also let him apply to SCU and Pitzer. If you have any other colleges you would like to suggest, please do!
Is there a reason why your brother has no EC’s? Why isn’t he taking initiative into any clubs/sports at his school? I don’t know much, but I believe that EC’s are very important.
@ilovevt As do I. I mean I guess he would kind of have an “excuse” if his grades were good, but they’re terrible. He’s not athletic (I’m a former athlete who cleared up time for school and other competitions), and struggles in school. This is not some type of “older sister who teases her younger brother” type thing. I am actually telling the truth. Teachers suspected some type of LD early on in elementary school following a speech therapy session he had, but my dad refused to get him tested. He spends all of his time on school (my parents have literally thrown money to tutors) but he still does not perform well. He had a private tutor for chem and group classes on the weekend, but he still almost failed the class. It’s outrageous. My dad and my brother used to stay up all night arguing about school (it caused me to be sleep deprived) so that’s why my brother spends all of his time on school work. The only EC he’s ever done was when my dad forced him to join my science olympiad team and then go to a competition.
Sounds more than anything some family counseling is needed and perhaps a private tutor, guidance help, and possibly some academic accommodations.
@jarrett211 We’ve had private tutors before (refer to my previous comment about his chemistry class), but they don’t offer much improvement. They worked for me. Academic accommodations are unavailable to kids without LDs, and since he has not been formally diagnosed or tested, we can’t get those. The only thing we can assume is that he’s “slow”. My mom does suspect something is wrong with him, but she doesn’t know. I agree with her. My dad says that school isn’t his strong suit, and he’ll find something he’s good at. My brother claims he understands everything he is taught in school, and insists on taking advanced and accelerated classes. It’s kind of a status thing at my school. Kids get bullied for grades and classes more than anything else.
I do not think he should use up a valuable spot in his junior schedule to be a teacher’s assistant. He could be using that space for an AP class. If he can turn his grades around this year, it will definitely help. I agree with the other posts that it is CRITICAL for him to get involved in extracurriculars and some community service. Does he have any specific interests or passion? Does he have any idea what he will be majoring in?
@alexameagan21 I mention his intended major in my post. Our school prohibits double enrollment in subjects (i.e. Chem and Physics in the same year, BC and Stats together, etc.). He refuses to go to another elective, and wants to have a free period. He’s trying for USABO this year (although he will be trampled like there’s no tomorrow). He is TAing for his math teacher for the past two years, but he won’t really need any recs… right?
bumpp. would like some more suggestions to where he can go besides SJSU.
I mean if he’s highly motivated to do something about his chances I’d suggest trying to take some CC courses this year at your nearby Community College. And from your post with the classes I’m heavily reminded of Cupertino High in the FUHSD school district.
If that’s the case and you and him attend that school/district I’d suggest he consider looking into raising his overall GPA to a 3.5. Then he’d be eligible for the district’s College Now program which could maybe allow him to attend a different environment where he can achieve better grades and get college gen ed courses done. The program allows seniors to spend their senior year at De Anza community college instead of their FUHSD school.
While doing that he can also apply for freshman applications to colleges and see how that goes. If he doesn’t get in anywhere he wants, he can simply spend one extra year at De Anza and transfer garunteed to Davis if he can keeps a 3.3 GPA at De Anza for any major of his choice. And if he’s closer to a 3.8+ in college gpa he has a good shot for USC, UCSD, UCLA and UC Berkeley.
If he doesn’t attend a FUHSD school I’d suggest looking if he can do concurrent enrollment or something similar. His situation seems similar to mine. I found my lack of motivation at HS attributable to my lack of real interest and motivation. That’s whats driving me now to excel at CC.
Just offering a perspective.
Depending a bit on his SAT - he’s already a pretty strong candidate for every CSU except CP SLO. UCR and UCM are also in-range. 2 honors and an AP is plenty of ‘rigor’ for Jr year.
Bringing his GPA up to 3.6 and SAT to 1900 would probably bring UCSC into reach.
In the mean-time, take a look at CSU Long Beach, SDSU, Chico and Fullerton for starters… Depending on major, Sonoma or Sac could be a good fit too.
Good luck
It sounds to me like your dad is reluctant to get your brother tested because he’s afraid of finding out that there’s something “wrong” with his son. That’s horse manure. The whole reason we have LD tests is so we can find a way to work around such issues, and give kids work that fits their strengths rather than trying to make a square peg fit into a round hole.
If your brother is doing poorly in school, despite spending most of his time on schoolwork and a great deal of private tutoring, that’s not doing him any good. It’s hyperbole to call this wanton cruelty, but I’d certainly imagine it’s very tough on him. I go to a school where about 10% of students have some sort of LD (dyslexia is a very common one), and they all concur that knowing why they were having trouble with “routine” schoolwork was a huge weight off their shoulders. I cannot stress this enough: Get. Him. Tested. This should’ve happened years ago. The results will inform your family’s decisions afterwards, and he’ll know where he stands.
Bump. Brother got a 2140 (690CR/800M/680W). His GPA might drop again. Any hope for a UC?
@basedchem Don’t you mean a 2170?
@QuiteAverage90 oh oops! Sorry, meant to say 2140 (690CR/770M/680W). Got his math score wrong.
If he can get his UC GPA to a 3.4+, I think UCSC will come in range. Also, if he can get a 2200+ (and get a 3.4+), he has a shot a UCSB.
Your brothers grades are not terrible. And with his sat score he will get into college. Sad your family never tested for learning disabilities or ADD. Some of the brightest minds throughout history had learning disabilities. Sad he never got involved in activities.
@QuiteAverage90 He’s not taking the SAT anymore.
Bumping this. My brother finished his first semester junior year, and his UW GPA is anywhere from 3.35-3.41, which means his weighted is anywhere 3.50-3.56 (unofficial). His report hasn’t been delivered yet, so we don’t know for sure. He wants to apply to schools like the bottom 6 UC’s (basically everything bar Cal, LA, and SD), and Pitzer as a possible ED. Again, his SAT score is 2140 (690CR/770M/680W). Does he have a shot at schools like Pitzer, UC Davis, CSUF and other UC’s/CSUs?