Hello everyone!
This is only my second post so bare with me if this is not in the correct area (although I think it is).
I currently attend a local community college in Texas, and am going to be transferring soon. I have a slightly non-traditional situation and I would like some advice in regards to my chances of acceptance to some Universities in Texas per these circumstances. I will also include my current stats.
I am currently a Biology major as well, and plan on going to Optometry school
CURRENTLY:
GPA 3.63 (It was a 3.8 but I started taking my math and science classes… there are A’s in there, but quite a few B’s as well)
Honors College
Phi Theta Kappa
2 years worth of undergrad research in Roatan Honduras regarding the decline of coral reefs
^^^^Presented at a few different conferences because of this research.
^^^^Won a BOE award for this research (Board of Education)-I beat out grad students as well as seniors at private univ.
***EC: Honestly until I started college I was not very involved, so I am lacking in this department. I have some hours, but not many.
ALSO, I only received my GED before college due to a terrible family situation (my mother actually withheld my HS transcripts from me when I was 17 and I could not enroll in another HS. I had truancy officers after me so my mother and I were given an ultimatum to withdraw (none of that was my choice by any means by the way. I wanted to finish high school).
I also do not have any particular talents besides being dive certified and being academic oriented.
Kayaking/diving/disc golf/ hiking are my hobbies.
I really would have done more, but starting college I took 18 hours, then 16 my first year. I started getting more involved and doing volunteer work last semester and will continue this semester until I transfer, but I am not sure if it will be enough.
I will more than likely transfer next year, so I have this semester, and next semester as well as this summer to get my volunteer hours in.
Now that I have babbled on… here are some of the schools I am interested in: (please also advise me if they are decent schools, as I am looking into what is in Texas to stay closer to my family)
Baylor University (super expensive, I know, but I have guaranteed admission per my GPA, Honors and research)
TCU (Texas Christian University)
Rice (I know that is definitely a reach but what is the harm in applying?)
St. Edwards University (Private as well)
Midwestern State University…( need info on credibility)
Texas State…(need info on credibility)
A&M
UT Austin
Texas Tech (I basically get a free ride because of my GPA and research exp. but need info on credibility)
Tarleton…(need credibility)
SFAU
Sam Houston
UTA (UT Arlington)…(I was advised I would be accepted into their Honors program but visited campus and was weary about the schools credibility. I read a least 40 student reviews of UTA and they all advised that t was awful)
I know this is a lot of information but all of the research I have done on these schools is so mixed, so I would like some REAL advice from you all, not advice from their websites and “student reviews”.
So what are my chances??? What should I work on??? and Which schools should I just nix out and not bother with???
Thank you all so much for your help!!!