@Gumbymom Thank you for your help!
You’re ACT actually isn’t really a weak point, but I want to say your GPA is, however, I don’t know the scaling of your GPA (every school is a little different, what does the valedictorian usually have so I have a better idea of scaling). You’re EC’s are fine so you have a good chance at all the UC’s (plus you live in call). As for Brown, JHU, Rice,and Washington in St Louis, they are almost all equally ranked. The problem with them isn’t their ranking- like I said your ACT and SAT II’s are fine, but the schools are all pretty small-meaning they don’t accept that many students. Applying to them all is super helpful because you never really know who is applying where, so even though certain schools may be ranked higher, you might have a better chance just because of their size. For JHU, I personally don’t think it makes a difference- I was debating the same question myself and just chose Bio because it’s so much more broad. When I visited, the students told me the classes are essentially the same, and it doesn’t really make a difference because the majors are so similar (obvs if you were debating bio or history that would have an effect). Pick whichever one you feel more comfortable with. I hope this helps! Maybe we’ll end up going to the same school haha!
I think you have a good shot at UCLA, (not nursing) WashU, and possibly Berkeley. Brown and JHU(they’re very research focused) are reaches, as they are for everyone! But all these schools are super high and pretty unpredictable, so I’d add a safety or two. Also, I’m first gen. too and in my knowledge, it’s not a hook unless you’re first generation college too. I’m not.
You’re a highly qualified applicant, and at this point, I think you’ve done everything you can.
@paxer101 Thanks for your input! Our school ranks by deciles because our school is very competitive (located in Bay area). The school also does not provide many AP classes, so that explains my somewhat low weighted GPA. BTW, how was the campus in JHU? I heard from my classmates that student life there isn’t that great.
@anxiousmom Thanks for your insight!