<p>Hi! College Admissions is bit of an nervous topic for me. I am a very well-rounded student with good academic standing, however my test scores need some strengthening. I am not sure what colleges are in my reach, I think I am aiming too high. My "reach" schools are Georgetown, UC Berkeley, and UCLA. I'm scared that my college application is not good enough. This is what I have so far:</p>
<p>GPA: 4.0 / all four years first honors
SAT: 1790 (planning to retake)
ACT: 26 (DEFINITELY planning to retake)</p>
<p>Current internship at my local congressman's office
ASB secretary
Social activist club president
International UN delegate
California Association of Student councils - Governmental Affairs Programs Representative
Part of choral group - performed at Carnegie hall
National honors society
National arts honors society
Music honors society
Varsity Cross Country</p>
<p>I want to go into politics, perhaps a majoring in Political Science, Governmental Affairs, etc. </p>
<p>also, my ACT essay score is 11/12. Does that matter?</p>
<p>It depends on the school whether the essay score matters. You should focus on either the SAT or the ACT, not both(especially if you are a rising senior). Take some practice tests and see which score is easier for you to boost up. Another option is to start looking at test-optional schools, because your GPA/course load is exemplar. Georgetown, UCB, and UCLA are definitely high reaches right now with the scores you have. </p>
<p>I assume your are IS for CA. What can your family afford? Are you graduated already?<br>
</p>
<p>You might ask, “good enough for what?” You’re not going to major in astrophysics, so you don’t need a high math or science on the ACT. You need a decent reading score. Your writing score is excellent, and if you major in polisci or something in the social sciences, you’re going to do a lot of writing. You’re already a 4.0 student in a CA public. What’s not to like about your application? It’s going to be great.</p>
<p>Everybody needs reach schools and you have three right there. They’re a lot more realistic colleges than most 17yos have for reaches. You’re going to do very well in college and get a great education wherever you go. </p>
<p>Chill out. You’re looking really good. Look at all the terrific colleges on that list that @Lilliana330 gave you. You’re majoring in polisci for crying out loud. I wouldn’t wish it on my worst friend because it’s not all that hard to get A’s in polisci.</p>
<p>And chances are you’re going to raise one of those test scores and be in even better shape. Keep breathing, OP, you’ve a good education in front of you.</p>
<p>For UC calculate your UC gpa. Sure, they will look at all your transcript. But weighting only occurs 10 and 11tb grade. These averages include many students that might have all sorts of different profiles-- these are only averages. However you can see that it is going to be competitive. You should apply widely within the UC and CSU system. After that you can pick some other colleges that you like but your scores as they stand will not likely get you into selective privates unless you have something else that is compelling. Are you reading Fiske Guide and learning about different schools? Are you into Catholic education, visited USD, SCU etc? What is your parents budget for your college looking like?</p>
<p>Berkeley
<a href=“http://admission.universityofcalifornia.edu/campuses/berkeley/freshman-profile/index.html”>http://admission.universityofcalifornia.edu/campuses/berkeley/freshman-profile/index.html</a></p>
<p>Admit rate — Overall 17.3%
Admits 12,795
Applicants 73,771
California Residents (% of admits) 65.6%</p>
<p>Averages</p>
<p>High School GPA 4.18
ACT Composite Score 31
SAT Critical Reading 677
SAT Mathematics 703
SAT Writing 691</p>
<p>UCLA
<a href=“http://admission.universityofcalifornia.edu/campuses/ucla/freshman-profile/index.html”>http://admission.universityofcalifornia.edu/campuses/ucla/freshman-profile/index.html</a></p>
<p>Admit rate — Overall 18.2%
Admits 15,760
Applicants 86,521
California Residents (% of admits) 57.9%</p>
<p>Averages</p>
<p>High School GPA 4.17
ACT Composite Score 30
SAT Critical Reading 675
SAT Mathematics 703
SAT Writing 689</p>