I don't think I've got a chance at the schools I'm applying to...

Chance Me / Match Me!
1

Hi guys,
I’m currently 16, and a Junior in a California Community College. I’m applying to: USC, Northeastern, Tufts, Pomona College and Stanford. I’ve recently been told (rather harshly) by my counselor that I’ve got no chance of getting into these schools. These are my stats:

Major: Chemistry
3.92 GPA (63 units)
32-34 ACT (I’m predicting)
60 hours of volunteering at a Food Bank
200 hour internship with a private company
Tutoring my peers (at my community college)
Teaching young kids to read
7 years worth of Swimming
100 hours MUN
Internship with a lab
Volunteering for the American Cancer Society (My favorite)

My essays will probably be about how my survival of cancer allowed me to cultivate interest in Chemistry, in the hopes of one day finding a cure. I will also be elaborating on my volunteer work with the American Cancer Society.

I’m the first in my family to go to college, and it’s always been my dream to go to one of these schools.

Please tell me what you think. If you guys think that I’ve got no chance, I’ll probably set my sights a little lower (think UC Davis, UC Irvine etc.)

2

So you’re in community college?

3

Yep. I’m in my fourth semester.

4

I think Northeastern is possible, I don’t know about requirements of the others Colleges in your list.
Good luck.

5

So you will be applying as a transfer student? Can you afford these schools?

Stanford is pretty much out of reach.

6

Thanks for the responses so far, guys!
Yeah, I’m a transfer student, haha. I don’t really mind not getting into Stanford, seeing as only ~30 transfer students are accepted a year. I’m also pretty sure that the applicant pool is self-selecting.
As to the financial aspect, I have a really low EFC on my FAFSA (000050), which means that I should be able to get near full financial aid.
My main concerns are PC, USC and Tufts, seeing as I don’t really know where I stand with them (they don’t offer too much information on admitted transfer students.)

7

@BBoy99 No on Stanford. Maybe on Tufts and yes on Northeastern. I don’t know why you wouldn’t get into Northeastern.

8

@BBoy99 The problem with Northeastern is it won’t be affordable. You need to add safer options.

9

USC does have a program that promotes transfers from CA community college, and your chances are much higher if you are first gen/URM. You should contact admissions, attend a Discover USC session, tour the campus, and see if it’s a good fit for you. Take the ACT asap.

10

Forget Stanford. You can apply to the others as reaches. I would concentrate on UCs.

11

D’s friend and classmate at UCB graduated high school at 16 having earned two AA degrees through concurrent enrollment and started UCB at 16.

Not sure I can offer you any meaningful chance predictions regarding transfers. Your stats seem great. Perhaps, the comment was more about the selectivity of your targets and and less about your qualifications as a student?

My experience is that GCs will sometimes be cautious to ensure a student has options come fall.