Courses:Took all ap courses offered + dual enrollment. 3 AP’s (4 is the maximum, I didn’t want to take AP Stats - too easy), Linear Algebra, Calc 1 - 3, Engineering Physics 1 - 2 and college level social science classes in dual enrollment.
School: A really low performing school, the “overachievers” go to our state flagship. Only 4 AP’s are offered(I took 3 of them) and no honors are offered.
SAT: 2050 superscored; (630 CR 800M 620W) - My school averages a 1300 on the SAT, not sure how this will affect the weight.
SAT II’s: Chinese w/ Listening: 800
ECs: -President/founder of computer science club
-President/founder of finance club, 1 Varsity sport(not recruited)
-Worked a job for over 2+ years(contributing all my earnings to my family)
-200+ hours of community services
-Network security research with University of Washington’s CSE department
-Managed a 20k portfolio averaging 12% returns(started from 8k)
-Math and sciences tutor at my local community college(only high school student tutor).
Rec’s are 9/10 at best but probably going to be an 8.
Hooks: First-gen, Low income, Upward bound, had a job for 2+years?
Personal statement is good according to all of my proofreaders. (Wrote about overcoming poverty by working a job to support my family financially.)
UMich does not superscore. What is your highest single sit score? For Computer Science, you may apply to either LSA or CoE. LSA would be a lot bit easier than CoE to get in. However, your SAT is near the 25th percentile of admission even with superscore. Your GPA is around the admission average for LSA but below average for CoE while your course rigor is good. Considering the low admission rate from OOS (20% or less), UMich would be a low reach to reach for you.
Your SAT scores need to be above the average admitted student because the averages include admitted athletes and low SES local area students who have “contracts” with the uni’s.
@wingear, the UC’s are public universities which means that OOS students, regardless of income, pay full fees of $55K per year. The UC’s are funded by California taxpayers. You won’t qualify for Cal Grants or monies from the State of California because your parent is/are not a tax-paying resident of California.
If you are low income, federal funding like a Pell Grant will not begin to cover anywhere near these costs.
You can only borrow $5500 freshman year. $6500 Sophomore year and $7000 for Jr. and senior year. You need 10 times that amount.
Parents can only take out huge loans for what they can qualify. If your parents are low-income, they won’t be able to qualify for these types of loans. Scholarships for OOS students average about $2000.
Sorry, but the finances don’t look doable. You can’t attend if you can’t pay.
@“aunt bea” Yes I understand. I already applied so I am just trying to see my chances since this anxiety is killing me I also applied to a lot of scholarships. (accumlated 20k atm)
@“aunt bea” Thank you! If their fin aid calculator is correct, I would be covered 100%. Because of this, USC is my top choice atm. Do you think I have a chance?
Turn in your FAFSA no later than March 2nd. The Free Application for Federal Student Aid opens on Jan 1, 2016 (in a couple of days)! You have to turn in all of your parent’s documentation before the March 2nd deadline. Do not turn it in late. You may qualify for a Federal Pell grant, but, the really cool thing is that USC uses the FAFSA to see where you would fit in with their scholarships, and sometimes, they automatically put you into anywhere that has funding. And because you are from Washington, it adds to the diversity of their freshman class, so that is an advantage for you.
I also applied to a lot of scholarships. (accumlated 20k atm)