Would I have a ray of hope in attending Cal, UCLA or UCSD?
3.0-3.2 GPA (basic classes no AP. School offers them tho)
2100-2200 SAT
800 chinese
750 us history
Arrived in US mid of freshman year. Currently finishing 11th grade.
NO EC
<p>I don't think so.</p>
<p>Elaborate please.</p>
<p>Also are there any colleges I can get into? (UC or top 30?)</p>
<p>And is there anything I can do to have a better shot?</p>
<p>nope, colleges would rather take high GPA and low SAT than vice versa.</p>
<p>not really sure.... arrived in the US... hmm.. nope, not going to help. it seems you all go to either US, UK, AU, or NZ. all british countries.</p>
<p>i would say apply to a community college or cal poly.</p>
<p>Uh...sorry, but no ECs and a horrid GPA basically dooms your app. I'd suggest getting into a less selective college and transferring after a year or so. Use that time to prove to your chosen colleges that you are up to their standards. I don't like being harsh, but no ECs? Also, colleges tend to look down on students with low GPAs but high SATs. They view it as a student with potential but not using it, if I'm not mistaken.</p>
<p>Well I help out at dad's company sometime but I doubtr they care since it can be easily faked.</p>
<p>And hmm, well I lived in Malaysia previously for 4 years and was in Hawaii for 2 years before that when I was 7.</p>
<p>Also, I think they messed up my grade because I am barely 16 and I am already finishing my junior year. So if I stay back and retake junior? O_O</p>
<p>PS: Are there any summer programs that will replace your GPA in certain areas?</p>
<p>PS2: How is my chance in UCI?</p>
<p>Vehement, 2 years at a cc is not a bad idea if you want a top tier UC. Can you get into a top 30? To do so I would focus on schools in the South and MW where Asians are few. I would however, wonder what kind of recs your teachers would give someone who chose not to do homework. Will any really say you're hard working?</p>
<p>The combination of low GPA, high school that offers lots of APs and no ECs just doesn't make it at UCs. Frankly, I would be very surprised if UCSB or UCI accepted you. </p>
<p>You obviously have potential as your test scores show. 2 years of doing well at a cc should get you into a top UC. The degree is the same.</p>
<p>Definately I would consider cc but my gpa is 'different' when I showed them to my parents. So if I go to a CC, they will ,hmm, know that I....</p>
<p>And no I don't think anyone would say I am a diligent worker but does the comments of my senior year teachers count?</p>
<p>Vehement,
some LAC's offer merit aid based on SAT's, not GPA. Allegheny (very nice school - we visited) starts merit aid at 1300 (old style) SAT. Hanover College is also looking to boost its average SAT. This could offer an alternative to the CC route.</p>
<p>BTW - be sure to duck what your 'rents discover your GPA isn't your GPA. Although - my son did that once to me freshman year, and looked so guilty I didn't have the heart to nail him for it. You're going to have to face the music at some point, though.</p>
<p>Merit aid as in financial aid? Don't think I need those but is there any top LAC that is famous for its business/econ classes?</p>
<p>I don't think you need a CC at all, Vehement, except maybe as a safety. Your scores and SAT definitely put you in the decent midrange. The only problem is your ECs. You need to get some, fast.</p>
<p>Oh what would be a sufficent number of hours? And do you have any suggestions on what type of EC I should take?</p>
<p>Thanks guys.</p>
<p>PS: Do they care if you type some stuff, hang out at your dad's and his friend's companies?</p>
<p>If you don't need finaid or merit aid it will help. Have the money talk with your folks SOON - a good LAC is going to run 35,000-45,000 per year to attend (tuition + room and board will be less). If they can't pay full freight you need to know it now. You've got options other than cc's, just what they are is going to depend on some of these other factors.</p>
<p>I know it's cliched, but...follow your passion. Do something that you like. If there's no existing club, try to form one. You can't say you didn't try. I don't know about the hours since I'm not an American.</p>
<p>As for top LACs, I think maybe you'd fit in better in a midrange LAC...maybe Gettysburg? I don't know. This question is more for the college selection forum.</p>
<p>I am going undecided and asking for no financial aids so i hope that helps. my folks will pay all of the fees if I am going to attend ivy . Don't know about LAC haha. I guess i can't expect any new BMW for graduation, just hope I don't get crippled. Argh, i envy how chinese/taiwanes gets to go to college based on tests only. But on the other hand, the tests are way harder.</p>
<p>Vehement -
"PS: Do they care if you type some stuff, hang out at your dad's and his friend's companies?</p>
<p>Now, you've got to be doing something when you are not in school. What is the 'some stuff' you are typing, and what kind of company?</p>
<p>Any hobbies?</p>
<p>oh i send emails out to associates. its a company that majors in fish imports. </p>
<p>hobbies? chess, soccer and track (soccer and track tryouts are over)</p>
<p>Vehement, since it sounds like your parents can afford it, why don't you take a post grad year at a prep school between high school and college. This will give you a chance to take some advanced classes, develop some ECs and improve your record, develop good recs and get good college counseling. PM admissionsrep for names of schools.</p>
<p>do you compete at soccer track and chess, or do you just play with your friends casually. If you do some sort of competition, then those are ECs.</p>
<p>And you can def do better than a community college. But even though your parents said they would pay for an ivy, that is not happening.</p>
<p>Vehement,
well, you could be interning in your father's business this summer. Expend a little effort - ask for more work and responsibility. Not an EC - but a job to add to you college resume. </p>
<p>Zagat's idea of a post grad year is a good one, especially since you are relatively young for your grade level.</p>