Icky GPA + OK SAT = ?

Chance Me / Match Me!
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Alrighty, folks. Buckle in! Here’s what I’ve got.

I am a rising junior at a good, large (2700+ students) public high school that does not rank its students. I live in Northern California, and have dual Pakistani-American nationality/citizenship. I was born in Pakistan, and speak Urdu and Hindi with native fluency, and Mandarin with adept conversational skills.
I hope to major in something along the lines of Sociology, Social Work, etc. My goal is to work on a MSW afterwards and work in social services!

GPA/ Courses:

The hardest courses I could take in every subject besides math.
My GPA has been… odd! 9-10 GPA UW/W: 3.56/3.59 (Starting high freshman year, low the next)
First semester of Junior year: 3.42 UW, 3.86 W.
I expect my final 9-11 GPA will be around 3.5 UW, 3.7 W.

Honors track for English/History, “varsity” academics, highest GPA in school’s Women’s basketball program.
APs:
Soph: Euro.
Junior: Env. Sci, Lang, USH.
Senior (predicted): Lit, Gov, Psych, Stats, Bio, Chinese, Macro/Micro

Standardized test scores
SAT: Just took last October, 720 CR, 730 M, 710 W (9 essay).
SAT Subject Tests in Math 1 and Lit.

Extracurricular activities, my pride and joy!

Elected to national rights council with major organization.
Founder and president of a club at school relating to social justice in an international context. 140+ registered members.
Treasurer of school JSA, cabinet member, assembly representative, awarded best speaker gavel. I also write for the national paper of JSA.
Science Alliance mentor, the lovely kid I mentored last year took first in his category (proud mom feeling)
Work 45+ hours/week during summer with art/science camp kids, youngest to be hired by the company.
Polyglot! I study Arabic and Farsi at home with my parents, Inuktitut on my own, Chinese at school. The only non-native speaker in the program.

Hooks? I’m unsure. First in family to attend school in the states. Identical twin. I like puppies.

Chance me for as many as you can:

Willamette
CUNY Macaulay Honors
New College of Florida
University of Minnesota Twin Cities
University of Wisconsin Madison
University of Texas Austin
University of Washington

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I think everything is a math/low reach except for Macaulay Honors. I live in NYC and see NYC students get rejected with 2300 SAT and 4.0 gpa. Its extremely hard to get in without being a NY resident. Also, you won’t get the free tuition because you live in CA.

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I agree with somewheresmiling. If you can keep that upward GPA trend going, I think UW would be a good fit for you, and you should consider applying to its Honors Program. It has a very diverse international student body and (for what it’s worth) the #3 graduate school for social work, according to US News.

http://grad-schools.usnews.rankingsandreviews.com/best-graduate-schools/top-health-schools/social-work-rankings

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@somewheresmiling‌ Thank you for the insight, I couldn’t find much on Macaulays admissions, but you helped clear it up :smile:

@UWfromCA‌ UW is actually my first choice/dream school so it’s quite relieving to hear that! Although, since as far as I know, my GPA falls below regular admissions mid-50%, do I have a shot at Honors? (I’d love to apply :smiley: )

Thank you both!

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You have good stats but I didn’t see class rank and I’m assuming you would be at the college of liberal arts at most of these schools with your intended majors. I know rank matters at UT and U Minn a lot. I got into U Minn Liberal Arts but not biology(I assumed I applied for Bio but I don’t remember). You should definitely get in there and have a good shot at all those schools for at least getting accepted. I only applied to UMinn because they sent me this free express app. I have a similar SAT score but I’m only top quarter at my school. I’m from Texas but didn’t apply to UT. Top 7 percent is dumb and I don’t want a big state school anyway. Did you decide against Liberal Arts Colleges? Just wondering because I hope to end up at one and I’ve seen a few of your chance posts for LACs.

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Your 2160 SAT first try is great and should put you in the running. If you can get your unweighted GPA up to the 3.75 to 3.8 range next year, your chances would improve significantly. It’s a “high match” to “reach” for just about everyone, but it’s a unique program, and you’re a unique applicant!

These are the 2014 stats from the FAQ section of Honors Program website:
High school GPA (middle 50%): 3.87-4.00
SAT (middle 50%): 1950-2200
ACT (middle 50%): 30-33

Even if not admitted to the Honors Program as a freshman, you can also apply soph year and/or pursue departmental honors in your major as well.

Regardless, it should be a “match” for admission, and since it has excellent programs in social work for both undergraduates and graduates, it would be a great choice. Good luck!

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@Jmbakh‌ My school doesn’t rank! However, for UM-Twin Cities, I really liked the CEHD Family Social Sciences program and thing that I might have a chance at their honors. & Yup, I found that LACs just won’t work for me, asides from New College of Florida (perhaps).

@UWfromCA‌ I’m working on that GPA! Thank you for the information- I’ve been eyeing the Honors essay prompts- do you know if they change every year?

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I think they’re all matches except perhaps the Macaulay Honors~