I need YOUR help..really CONFUSED...dont know where I should apply

College Search & Selection
1

<p>OK, so I am REALLY confused about how selective of a school I should apply to. Below are my stats, and as you can see...I have a really really low GPA. I don't know how much my good SAT scores, good EC's, good essay, and other stuff make up for the low GPA. I also have a really valid reason for the low GPA which I have been told is not considered a pity reason but rather a legit explanation. </p>

<p>Middle Eastern American Male
!st gen to go to college
Psychology or Biology major</p>

<p>Unweighted GPA - 3.0 (yea i know) </p>

<p>SAT - 2130/2400
Math - 750
Reading - 690
Writing - 690</p>

<p>AP Psychology
AP Enviromental Science
AP US History
AP Economics
AP Political Systems</p>

<p>Rest are honors/gifted</p>

<p>EC's
- Debate Club President
- Debate Team Captain
- Philosophy Club Vice President
- DECA, BETA, FBLA, Interact, and International Club member.
- Mock Trial participant.</p>

<p>Laws of Life Essay Contest winner
Extemporaneous Speaking Contest 2nd Place winner
Literary Meet 2nd Place winner
Intern at hospital
Medical Conference (attending this summer)
250 hours of community service hours (medicine related)</p>

<p>So my question is..how selective of a school(s) should I shoot for?</p>

<p>Top 10, top 20, top 50, top 100? </p>

<p>If I could go anywhere it would be either Emory U, Boston U, Baylor U, or any UC's.</p>

<p>Thanks</p>

2

<p>I think you have a decent shot at BU and at Baylor. You can also try some of the less hot UC's--although now they're all hot. Emory is impossible, all of a sudden. I would go with the top 50 as matches, and a few top 20 as reaches. Do you only want big schools?</p>

3

<p>Depends of how competitive your high school is and what your class rank is.</p>

<p>If you're top 60 percent at a high school with a 2100 average sat score, you'll be able to get into a bunch of places.</p>

<p>If not, well, that could be a hindrance.</p>

4

<p>
[quote]
Emory is impossible, all of a sudden.

[/quote]
lol!</p>

<p>10char</p>

5

<p>ekmom--
Thanks, and I don't want a huge school, but something between 8,000 - 20,000 would be good. BTW you said top 50 would be matches, Boston U is 57 and Baylor U is 75. So would you say those are pretty safe bets?</p>

<p>Also, would you say UC Riverside and UC Santa Crus would be the less popular ones?</p>

<p>jmanco--
Well my class rank is 302 out of 750. Which I know is low but according to my counselor..less than 3% of our class takes even one AP class. Im not too sure how to measure how competitive it is. Its one of the bigger public schools in the area and is located in the richest area of Atlanta.</p>

6

<p>Yeah, I think BU and Baylor would be sorta safe. Just remember, though, in these times there is no true safety. The best idea is to apply a lot of places.
In terms of the UC's , yeah, I think so. Also, you seem strong in speaking and writing so try to contact the profs. in these depts, and consider submitting samples of your work if they accept them. Give them something to remember you by.</p>