My final "Am I screwed" thread

Applying to College
1

<p>First of all thanks to anyone who actually reads all of this.. haha. I have a few questions that I really need answered. Is my lack of rigor going to destroy me for the schools I'm going to apply to? Should I take a rigorous senior year schedule (and which classes), or should I just accept the fact that I am screwed and go through the community college route?</p>

<p>Schools I am applying to: (Applying as a Japanese Language and Literature major)</p>

<p>UCLA
UCB
UCD - top choice
UCSB - top choice
UCI
U of Washington, Seattle
U of Wisconson
U of Oregon
SDSU</p>

<p>Courses:</p>

<p>Grade 9
-English 9 A, A
-Geometry A, B
-Japanese 1 A, A
-Japanese 2 A, A
-Drawing and Design A, A
-P.E./Health A, A
-Video Film A, A</p>

<p>Grade 10
-Algebra 2 A, A
-World History A, A
-Biology A, A
-English 10 A, A
-Japanese 3 A, A
-Japanese 4 A, A
-Marketing A, A
-Sculpture A, A</p>

<p>Summer
-Japanese for communication 5, at UCSD</p>

<p>Grade 11
-Pre Calculus A, A
-US History A, A
-Chemistry A, A
-English 11 A, A
-Japanese 5H A, A
-AP Japanese A, A
-Imaging A, A
-Painting A, A</p>

<p>Grade 12
-Japanese for communication 9/10, at UCSD
-Pre Calculus Honors
-AP Calc AB
-AP Lit
-Gov/Econ
-TA for Japanese x2</p>

<p>Stats:</p>

<p>SAT 1, 1940. 680M, 660 CR, 600W
SAT 2, Taking Japanese/Math 2 in the fall
AP Japanese, 5</p>

<p>Me:
-White
-Upper Middle Class
-School offers all the AP/Honors classes
-Volunteer at Japanese preschool ~200 hours
-Varsity track 3 years, 2 year letter
-Japanese Honor society</p>

<p>Thanks again for reading all this and <em>attempting</em> to answer my questions!</p>

2

<p>I won’t lie; you’re rather unlikely to get into UCLA or Berkeley, for the reasons you are worried about.</p>

<p>But if you’re a California resident (which I assume you are), you should have no problem getting into Davis, UCSB, or Irvine. Seriously, you have an almost 4.0 GPA, a pretty decent SAT score, and ECs which actually demonstrate interest in something (rather than “oh hey I joined 10000000 clubs because I thought it would look good”).</p>

3

<p>thanks amarkov, much appreciated.</p>

4

<p>wow i must admit, your ecs fits perfectly for your intended major. You should be in for SDSU and the lower UCs, UCSD is a high-match according to your stats, and as for Berk/LA, as long as your essay is above average and shows your passion about japanese/japan, you are a fair chance. Afterall, (not that Im mocking language majors) language majors have lower average stats than lets say, premed.</p>

5

<p>So basically you only have 2 weighted classes up to 11th grade? And I assume your weighted GPA is slightly above a 4 right? The thing is, if you look at the UC admission info on college board, class rigor is amongst the most important decision factors.
And your SAT is definitely low for the higher UCs.
I’ll say you have a great shot at UCSD if you improve your SAT.
Good luck!</p>

6

<p>University of Washington - IN.</p>

<p>No questions about it.</p>

7

<p>The college class you took will also be weighted, so that makes two weighted classes plus three scheduled for senior year, for a total of five. I think many UCLA/Cal applicants will have more AP’s, but if you write one of your personal statements about how you developed throughout HS and matured into a more rigorous schedule, then you have a chance at all of those schools. It will depend on your major/department. I think your SAT is right in the 2000 range that get admitted to the top UC’s. All you can do is apply and wait it out. Write great essays! That is what will push you over the hump. Remember that at the UC’s, anything that is not listed on the application and is disclosed in your personal statements, is used towards admissions. Your lower GPA, higher test score profile is similar to ADD or LD students. The UC’s will give you extra consideration for overcoming challenges so if you have anything to tell them, I would suggest doing so. For example, at Cal, any applicant who discloses a disability or other medical problem is invited to participate in a supplemental application process which includes a review of first semester senior year grades and allows two letters of recommendation. Best of luck. Keep your grades up first semester!</p>