Okay so I don’t have a lot of resources to ask so I decided to give this a try.
About me -
3.25 gpa with 3 APS all passing with A and B.
Secured a reoccurring Paid internship at a Major international company as a business development intern(since junior year)
A business recommendation letter from directors and CEO of that company(company income :3billion euros per year)
Volunteered a lot
Current job as a referee
Currently a senior
Goals-
Apply to a UC such as USC or UCLA. Backup schools such as Tulane or Boston U or NYU.
I didn’t take my education seriously until junior year which I regret, but I’m hoping there’s some hope out there. I’m hoping to write an inspiring failure essay with help of a lot of my teachers which I hope will help the colleges know more about my personality. I plan on majoring in engineering and business admin. Some advice or recommendations would be much appreciated.
You’d be stressing far less if you’re more realistic. Work hard but relax by adding some real safeties to your list. Given your GPA, your listed schools are more like reaches than matches or safeties.
What state are you from? What can your afford? Is the GPA weighted or unweighted? If weighted, how does your school weight and what is your unweighted GPA?
I don’t think that your “backup” schools are safeties (although I don’t know anything about Tulane). Other than Tulane, I don’t think that anything you listed is less than a reach. Do you have any actual safeties in mind?
If you are from California, there are a ton of good UCs and CSUs that probably include “out of reach”, “reach”, “match”, and “safety” among a long list of very good schools.
I don’t know if NYU, BostonU are considered backup schools . Tulane might be a good option. You haven’t posted your Test scores and you can check each schools website to see if your GPA and test scores are in line with the average applicant. Take time to write clear, well constructed essays. Get feedback on your essays. You never know until you try.
UC’s are very GPA focused so below a 4.0 UC GPA will be a tough admit for most of them. You have good EC’s along with your internship but they will not make up for lack luster academics.
I would target UC Riverside and the Cal states for the best chances if you are a CA resident.
Since you are a California resident and you said that your Junior year was much better than your first two years, it is worth mentioning one other fact that is going to help: At least according to many other posts on CC, the UC’s don’t consider your freshman year of high school. This should help your GPA some.
You need to compute your UC GPA and compare it with the list that @Gumbymom posted above. With 1400 SAT and assuming that dumping your freshmen grades improves your GPA, you might have a good shot at UCSC. In February when the snow is flying around my house and you are out looking at banana slugs I will be jealous.
I can give the link for the information on the UC GPA admit range. These are 2016 numbers and the 2017 numbers are not available yet. Historically these ranges have been pretty consistent and although the UC’s are very GPA focused, GPA is only one part of your application. If the rest of your application is outstanding, then your chances will improve.
Regarding your statement about financial aid, you cannot apply or do not plan to apply? Do you have $30K/year to attend a UC or are within commuting distance of any UC’s? Tuition only is still around $14K/year.
Cal States are a bargain at $7500 tuition/year again if you are within commuting distance.