<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>I think you, like lots of kids, need to give some thought to what having a life means. Does it mean a really fun senior year or does it mean getting into a great architecture program and having a great next 70 years?</p>
<p>For either of the schools/programs you mention, your scores need to come up significantly and you need to have the most challenging senior year you can manage. So decide if you want to give up some fun now or later.</p>
<p>Not that you can’t have a “great” next 70 years if you don’t get into one of those programs…It’s just better, potentially.</p>
<p>You get the great 70 years not from the school but from the attitude of always going the extra mile.</p>
<p>You can also have a great next 70 years from the attitude of always balancing the present and the future.</p>
<p>Definitely retake SATs and ACTS, and get some tutoring. With your AP classes, it seems as if you can get a better score. Unfortunately, SATS seem to be quite (overly) important in getting into great colleges. Your GPA is pretty good, too! Not everyone does better on the ACT–it’s different and requires a different kind of studying (my DS did worse on ACT than SAT).</p>
<p>Oh dear! This may come as a shock to you, but even after you graduate from college, you are still going to have to work your butt off to get ahead in your career. This idea about “having a life” is not going to get you far in this world. I don’t mean to be disrespectful, so please do not take this the wrong way. And I think that hmom5 also gave you great advice.</p>