International student studying in local high school in US chance me for these schools

Chance Me / Match Me!
1

Hi everybody, I am currently a high school Junior who is looking at a couple of colleges. I am a Chinese Canadian student who is currently studying at a local high school in New Jersey. I moved to New Jersey from China freshman year and attended an IB international school. I have lived in three countries and went to all types of local and private schools. I even attended a boarding school in China where I was inducted as a ‘young pioneer’ (Communist organization). I have a low GPA because I suffered from depression during 9th grade. During freshman year my parents got divorced, my grandma and aunt whom I love greatly tragically died within a span of a few months, and when I first moved to the U.S with my mom freshman year, my English wasn’t strong so I didn’t have any friends. I was shy and scared to talk to anybody even though I am a outgoing extrovert and not being able to express myself freshman year due to language barriers and shyness really hurt me mentally and emotionally. After 9th grade as I improved my English I also improved my grades and started participating in clubs and activities. I also got out of my comfort zone and made tons of new friends. I’m looking to go to the schools listed below. Can anybody chance me? I would appreciate it a lot. Thank you and God bless.

(I will be most likely be applying as a international student due to nationality)

University of Washington- Seattle

UC Irvine

UC Davis

USC

Northeastern

UW GPA: 3.3

W GPA: 3.9

Old SAT: 1680 (going to take ACT in fall)

Chinese Sat II: 800

Going to take SAT II World History and US History in the fall

Taking 4 APs next year: AP GOV AP LIT AP MEH AP PSYCH
Chinese AP test: 5
ECs:

4 Years High School/AAU basketball
-played in national tournaments in Florida and Philadelphia

Asian Culture Club (3yrs)

Fusion Club (2yr)

Model UN (3yrs)

NHS

100+ Hours of Volunteering at Chinese school, Kumon, and others

2 years of Piano

4th place in Chinese cultural contest at Seton Hall University in NJ

Ran small resell business of reselling clothes, shoes

Changing name when turning 18

Became religious (started going to church every Sunday)

Fluent in two languages. Understands some French

Due to being from Beijing, I go back to Beijing every summer and help tutor English to kids in the neighborhood

2

Great ECAs but a little low on the GPA/ SAT, and unfortunately, that matters the most to colleges. Just wondering, how did you convert your IB score into a GPA? IB scores are a separate thing altogether. At the moment I would put match: UWash, Irvine & Davis, reach: Northeastern and super reach USC. If you get your IB score up to a 36-38 ish (predicted) and SAT (/1600) of 1300+, Northeastern and USC are doable. Make sure you nail your essays– good luck!

3

Thank you Soulfu Lemon. I never converted by IB scores when I moved they just let me do over and start everything over again.

4

I would put UCI and UCD as Low Reach since they are very GPA focused and the average UC GPA is 4.0+. SAT scores need to be bumped up into the 1300+ range for the best chances. Are you able to afford the costs for these schools, $55,000/year and no financial aid?

https://rogerhub.com/gpa-calculator-uc/

5

^ I agree with Gumbymom about UCI and UCD and also note that at Washington, the average UW GPA for enrolled freshmen entering in 2015 was around 3.8, the average SAT was 1855 (middle 50% = 1650-2020) and the average ACT was 29 (middle 50% = 26-31).

6

Your SAT scores need to be improved for your chances to increase. If you apply as an international you won’t be eligible for financial aid. Will your mom be able to pay the tuition ($30-$50K USD per year)??

If not how long would it take for you to establish residency in the US?

7

@sgopal2 It will take me around august to establish residency in the US and my mom is able to afford 50k per year of tuition. Thank you.

8

I would suggest to wait until you are a permanent resident (green card holder). It will make admissions much easier for you. Are you going to establish residency in NJ or CA? If you are a current NJ resident, it will be difficult to get into the CA schools.