<p>I am a high school junior and I'm wondering what classes to take next year and stuff like that. I want to go to a college in California, Cal Poly SLO and UCLA are my top choices (USC too). I have a weighted gpa of about 3.7 and am looking into architecture or commercial/advertising art (maybe psychology). I have taken many honors classes (precalc and physics this year) and am wondering if I should take AP Calc and AP Physics or just AP Stats next year. I'm also taking a design class and an architecture internship to build up a portfolio or experience. My SAT scores aren't great, but I'm thinking of retaking them (CR:520, M:610, W:580). I still haven't taken my ACT or SAT II, but I'm not concerned since I've heard they are easier. I also don't mind going to community college first (since I still want to have a life my senior year) but i just wanted to know my chances first. I would appreciate any advice but i would like to hear from people who know what they're talking about (i.e. actually GO to the school or at least know someone who does). Thank you.</p>
<p>Seabass, I’m a CA parent…my son was rejected at UCLA three years ago with substantially better grades and SAT scores than you have posted. I would say that your chances of entering Cal Poly SLO or UCLA as a freshman are not great with that weighted GPA and SAT scores. Your scores would have to be in the 700 range and your weighted GPA in the 4.0 range. Please kids, don’t post that you got in with similar stats as the OP and then leave out that you are an athlete or something similar.
I am just speaking generally here.
Given the fact that you say you want a life Senior year, I would not necessarily sign up for all those AP classes. Given the CA budget crisis, I would definitely look at CC for the first two years. I don’t know where in CA you are but I do know personally several students who started at Santa Barbara City College and then transferred into UCLA, UCSB, etc.</p>
<p>Actually, the average SATs for UCLA admitted students last year were:</p>
<p>Critical Reading: 570 - 680
Math: 600 - 730
Writing: 580 - 700</p>
<p>So yes, I’d have you prep, and then retake them. </p>
<p>In addition, one important thing you mentioned was that you may apply for arts or architecture. That means that your portfolio is going to be quite important. So long as your SATs end up in the right general ballpark, if your portfolio is strong enough, your portfolio may get you in. </p>
<p>I very much like your idea of taking the design class, and of the architecture internship. Do those things. They will really strengthen your application, and your portfolio, and again, if you can bring your SATs up a bit, a strong portfolio may make UCLA, USC and Cal Poly SLO in your reach. </p>
<p>I think that, when the time comes to apply to colleges, you should apply to the colleges you want. If you don’t get in, then take the community college route, but really, even if your SATs stay as they are, use your strong portfolio to at least <em>try</em> for the schools you want, because in the arts, it’s not 100% about your SAT scores. Your talent has a significant impact on admissions.</p>
<p>Roaring, I disagree. The UCs and CSUs use a formula and SATs and GPA are weighed heavily. Talent comes in pretty far down the line for these schools.<br>
The stats you site are the average…that includes athletes, etc.
I do agree that the OP should apply to the colleges they want however you do have to add in some safeties and be realistic about chances of admission.</p>