Low GPA/good test scores. Chance at UCs + others?

Chance Me / Match Me!
1

<p>GPA: 3.36 uw, 3.7 w
SAT: 2090 (600 cr, 750 m, 740 w)
SATII: Math II - 750. Physics - 780. Chem or Bio in Fall: hopefully 700+</p>

<p>Ethnicity: Egyptian, but I can apply as black >:]</p>

<p>Grades:
SOPHOMORE:
Alg 2: C, A
Chem H: B, B
Span 3: D, C (i know, it was an extremely MISERABLE experience)
Band: A, A
World Hist: C, B
World Lit: B, A</p>

<p>JUNIOR:
Law: A, A
Physics H: A, A
Java: B, A
PreCalc H: A, A
American Studies (US Hist): B, A
American Studies (Amlit H): B, A
+ Summer:
AP Bio: A</p>

<p>Senior Year(next yr) + APs/testing:
AP Gov: 3-5
Brit Lit
AP Comp Sci }
AP Calc BC } Will attempt to get 5s on all, because of my strong STEM interest
AP Physics C }<br>
AP Bio (test only): 4-5</p>

<p>ECs:
- 100+ hours volunteering with Interact
- Varsity track top 6 at school in my event (100m)
- Very prestigious school drumline/Marching Band (well known in nation)
- Science Bowl
- doing FBLA next year for Comp Sci/gaming events and more
- currently making an online pvp 2d shooter game with 2 others. Will hopefully make it into an Android app
- This summer, I will for sure do ONE of the following along with AP Bio(not sure yet because still waiting for acceptances/replies):
1) Science research at either Boston Rise program, or University of Florida SSTP,
2) Internship with family friend at Stanford for genetics, NASA, Space Systems Loral for satellite system management, or a local gaming company for development
3) Summer classes at a UC campus in something Bio/Chem related
- Hopefully a science internship as well during the fall of senior year</p>

<p>MAJOR: obviously STEM related, but more specifically something like Biotechnology, Nanotech, nuclear physics, etc. something that applies programming as well, like Bioinformatics</p>

<p>SCHOOLS:
Carnegie Mellon, John Hopkins U, all UCs excluding Riverside and Merced, Cal Poly SLO. </p>

<p>I know my college basically depends on doing something amazing for my ECs (this summer!)</p>

2

<p>Did you retake the D? You’ll have to for UCs. I wouldn’t bother wi Berkeley or UCLA, but you have some shot at the others. An amazing EC would help, but not sure what you can do that’s amazing in a single summer. Amazing ECs tend to be passions people have pursued over time.</p>

<p>CMU and JHU are significant reaches, you should add some more solid matches and one of the lower UCs or a less competitive CSU as a safety.</p>

<p>You will not be considered AA as an Egyptian.</p>

3

<p>Oh yes, I forgot to mention that. I’m taking a semester of Spanish 3 this summer.</p>

4

<p>Can I get more input, guys? I’m REALLY eager to see where i stand, because I have a limited time left. <33</p>

5

<p>apply by all means, because you never know</p>

<p>however…i’ll be honest. gpa trumps SAT score every time at the UCs.</p>

<p>and even then, your SAT score is still weak, since you have a 600 in CR. you should retake it and try to get at least a 700. </p>

<p>i think that everywhere is a reach, to be honest. can you explain the D with a compelling story though?</p>

<p>at least it’s good that you show an upward trend. that might work in your favor. </p>

<p>and why didn’t you include your freshman year grades?</p>

6

<p>my freshman year grades were weak as well, but i don’t think that they matter? definitely not for UCs. and I’m not sure if it helps, I have legacy at UC Davis because my sister went there.</p>

<p>Why did i get a D/other bad grades? (this is going in my application essay for SURE)
My grades weren’t that great because I was depressed and lacked trust from my parents and others. However, one magnificent day in January, I stood up to my parents, stating that their academic expectations of me were deteriorating me; I decided I wanted to start pursuing my STEM based dreams and goals, which called for a newborn academic success.</p>

7

<p>Legacy does not help at UCs.</p>

8

<p>bump 10char.</p>