Hello everyone, so as you guys can see on the tittle, I just moved from Mexico to United States about 2 years ago and I was wondering if I have any chance of getting into one of these 4 year Universities. I got a 3.1 gpa, my SAT scores were pretty low ( 790) but this year I strongly believe I did a lot better, all I ask is not to be judged from where I am from, but rather for what I have accomplish, and adding the fact that I couldn’t read, write, or speak any english, after 2 years I’m just getting better at it. I haven’t took any ap classes, but this year I took honors pre calculus, and a college class level called CSUERWC, I’m also attending to a CNA program at my community, and the program is kind of like an scholarship so yes, I had to compete against other students to get it. about 200 students apply for it and only 30 ( including me ) got into the program, maybe I should have done more extracurriculars or take harder classes but remember that I was brand new to the country and didn’t knew about these programs and classes. Please I will read your comments guys, be honest with me and i will thank everyone.
and I’m taking medical terminology, and i took a ethnic studies class from the CSULB last year. I plan to go to pre med and get a bachelors on biology. Second option is to become a nurse, thats why I got into the CNA ( certified nurse assistant) program.
Pre-med is for students who want to pursue medical school after getting their bachelor’s to obtain an MD. And you can become a nurse straight out of college by going to a Nursing school and receiving your BSN. So it’s better to be settled on a career so you don’t spend money on tuition for another degree. Sadly, you’re stats are quite low for the UC’s and I don’t see them accepting a 3.1 with a SAT score of 790. Yes, you are new to the country, which is why I recommend going to a community college and then transferring to a school that you like. Remember to choose one career. good luck.
The California schools will judge you against the other instate applicants. They will look at your scores and grades and determine if you can add to the class, if you can keep up with other students (in English).
" all I ask is not to be judged from where I am from, but rather for what I have accomplish" Well, they are going to judge both. They have a limited number of slots, and the students who have SATs of 1100 want to go to the school too. You will need to put together an application that shows the schools that they should take you over someone with higher stats. You might be better in a community college for two years, giving you more time for education in English, to bring up your grades. There are transfer agreements with the UCs and CSUs.
thank you man. Anyways I will still apply, I have nothing to lost ,I’m at the top 15% of my school too, I know my chances are very low, going to a community college is my last option but I will try to do my best if I go so I can get into a better UC
or since the CNA program has an agreement with my local community college of give us more chances of getting into the RN/LVN at the community college. I might go for that one… I really don’t know, i’m so confused right now, I need help…
Work with your guidance counselor. Do you have all the courses you need for a UC? Can you afford to move away for college.
The California cc are so good that one might be your best option.
I have all the A-G courses required, On my sophomore and junior year these were my final scores
A-G Subject Totals
Subject Years
A History / Social Science (2 Years) 3 ( plus pre calculus honors of my senior year that im taking right now)
B English (4 Years) 3 ( 4 actually)
C Mathematics (3 Years) 2 ( 4 years actually)
D1 Biological Science (1 Year) 2
D2 Physical Science (1 Year) 1
E Language Other than English (2 Years) – ( I took spanish 5-6 for one semester so it counted as 2 years)
F Visual & Performing Arts (1 Year) 1
G College-Preparatory Elective (1 Year) – Im taking a college preparatory elective ( CSUERWC and Medical Terminology)
Total Years 12
Calculated GPA 3.2
I live on Long Beach by the way so LBCC ( long beach community college) is the only cc that I might go since is pretty close, but as I say, I strongly believe I have more potential, so my teachers and counselor told me that they feel I can go to a 4 year college
Personally I feel that I can do it, is not that my english is that bad, a lot of people don’t even know that I am from Mexico and that only have 2 years on the country and they shock when I told them that cause they can’t tell that I am new, except for my accent but thats all.
Go for it! if you can afford the application fees, there’s really no harm in trying. I wish you the best of luck.
The best path toward your goal would be to go to a community college then do a UC or CSU transfer. Since they only accept Junior level transfers, your HS GPA and test scores will not be considered only your CC GPA, completion of the major and GE courses along with any EC’s you are involved in.
For the CSU’s, there is AA-T/AS-T/ADT which can give you priority to your local CSU along with a GPA grade bump if you complete these degrees.
http://www.calstate.edu/transfer/ADT_mentor_applicant_next_steps/
For the UC’s, there is TAG (Transfer Admission Guarantee) which will give you a guaranteed acceptance at 6 of the 9 UC campuses that participate. Complete all course requirements with the required GPA and you are in at one of these UC’s.
http://admission.universityofcalifornia.edu/transfer/guarantee/index.html
So for a reality check if you plan to apply to the UC’s:
Freshman admit rates for UC GPA of 3.00-3.39
UCB/UCLA/UCSD: 1%
UCI/UCSB: 2%
UCD: 4%
UCSC: 18%
UCR: 38%
UCM: 67%
25th - 75th percentiles for SAT:
UCB: 1280-1490
UCLA: 1280-1500
UCSD: 1250-1470
UCSB: 1290-1450
UCD: 1190-1430
UCI: 1190-1420
UCSC: 1170-1380
UCR: 1090-1310
UCM: 1020-1230
You could apply to the non-impacted CSU’s as a Freshman: Dominguez Hills, Channel Islands, Bakersfield, Stanislaus, East Bay
Best of luck.
Yeah man I think I have to keep my feet in the ground… What was I thinking… just moving and already viewing myself on a University was too much, I have accomplished a lot these past 2 years, but is not enough for a college level student. One of my biggest fears is that, what if i get into one of these colleges but I end up failing because I didn’t had enough preparation… I’m just too confused right now, but i’m also really motivated, hope I take the right path… Thank you guys for take your time and stop by to help this student… I really appreciate it
Im going to work my ass off if I go to a community college, take honor classes and doing a lot of stuff so I can get into a good UC college and reach m goal , as I say before, Nursing or Medicine are the two paths that I’m planning to do, not sure which one to follow thought. not yet…
Retake the SAT (register today, deadline for November SAT has passed and you’d be “late registration” which ends soon so the more you wait the longer the odds you’ll be able to have a seat) and send it to UC Merced, you may have a shot. But it’s a reach.
Start working on your essays - look at the questions and draft answers, show them to teachers.
If you truly are motivated as you say, get onto Khan Academy and do their SAT prep every day for 1 hour no matter what, till test day. You need to reach 1000 at the very least. Basically, that GPA wouldn’t be a huge problem if your SAT score weren’t so low. Increasing that score depends solely on you, working with Khan Academy, taking practice tests, perhaps finding a test tutor for a few hours to correct your most egregious misconceptions about the test.
My advice would be to look into pre-Nursing as well as Pre-PA programs if you can bring that score to a 1100, otherwise take advantage of the fact California has excellent community colleges to show what you’re able to do, rank at the top of your class, continue practicing being a CNA to get professional hours, and from there apply to all UC’s and strong CSU’s (of which CSULB is one).
CSULB has Nursing and Kinesiology but both are very selective so only apply if you can bring your SAT up.
Do you know your EFC? Can your parents afford their EFC?
You can apply test optional to St Mary’s of California, URedlands, and Cal Lutheran, but run the NPC to see whether they’d be affordable without putting your parents into debt.
I wouldn’t recommend MYOS1634 comment. I personally believe you’re not ready for to handle college level courses and succeed with good grades if you plan to pursue medicine or nursing. (remember to choose one)