I just took the SAT in June and got a 1,470/2400(I know it’s horrible), but my weighted gpa from 9th-11th grade is 4.36, so almost a 4.4. I’m ranked 35 out of 512( not super high, but up there). I am planning on taking the SAT again in October; however, I am confused at what colleges in California look at more because if they look at my gpa it’s good, but if they look at my SAT score it’s really bad.
How much can you and your family afford? Are you a California resident? There are several privates such as Whittier College, University of Redlands, University of La Verne, Azusa Pacific that would accept you, but they can be expensive. With your GPA you would be competitive at many of the Cal States such as CPP/SJSU/Sac State/Sonoma/Chico since the Cal States use only GPA and SAT/ACT scores. Also for the Cal States, you need to calculate your CSU GPA which only uses 10-11th grades: https://secure.csumentor.edu/planning/high_school/gpa_calculator.asp
There are many schools in which you can gain an acceptance, you just need to do some research. You might want to try the SuperMatch feature on this website, You can input region/unweighted GPA/test scores etc…
Good Luck and study this summer for the SAT. You might also want to try the ACT. My older son had a very competitive GPA but average ACT score (26). He gained admission at 5 UC’s and 3 Cal States and 2 privates, so it is possible.
I am a CA resident and my parents could help alot more if my college was in town (I don’t know exactly how much they can), my gpa 10th-11th is not that far off from my other one it’s 4.375. Should I only try to get in to CSUs at this point?
I would look at the UCR/UCM and UCSC as possible UC’s and if get your SAT score up into the 1700-1800 range, you could add UCI. UC’s are very GPA focused, so I think you could get into UCM and UCR pretty easily. As for Cal States, they are great options and they rely only on your CSU GPA and test scores for admission. My younger son did not have a competitive GPA for CS but good test scores for the UC’s, so he mainly focused on the Cal States. He was accepted into UCR and 5/6 Cal States he applied. He is happily attending SDSU. It really depends upon your major and where you would feel is the best “fit” for you. Older son had a comparable GPA but the low ACT score. He applied as an Environmental major and got into 5 UC’s and is attending UCD. You just never know where you willl be accepted. There is no reason not to apply to a variety of schools, just make sure you have some solid matches and safeties on your list.
Note the CSU/UC GPA is capped at about 4.4 (8 semester bonus points, just 2 semester for grades 10/11) so, your GPA is really outstanding. It suggests your should be capable of a much higher test score. I’d encourage you to retake the SAT and consider taking the ACT, it is a very different test and may yield different result.
Assuming you’ve calculated your GPA correctly, you’ll likely make it into all the CSUs except Cal Poly Slo.
I’d also encourage you to apply to a few UCs, UCSB, UCR, UCSC and even UCD and UCI could happen…
An improved SAT/ACT would open many more doors.