Please chance my list!

Chance Me / Match Me!
1

<p>I know that this isn't the best board to do this, but I'd also like recommendations if possible for other universities in California that I may have a "chance" at. Also, I do realize that Stanford and UCLA are pretty much out of the question. I will be applying to Stanford no matter what just so that I won't have any regrets. Constructive criticism definitely appreciated as long as it's not harsh, hit and run, style. Thanks for any input ;)</p>

<p>
[quote]

High School Type: rarely sends grads to top schools
Will apply for financial aid: Yes</p>

<p>Academics:</p>

<p>GPA - Unweighted: 3.15
GPA - Weighted: 3.20
Class Rank: top 40%
Class Size: 480</p>

<p>Scores:</p>

<p>Definitely not worthy of posting, SAT Reasoning and Subjects. I'll be taking them at least once more, but I won't be able to use them as a bargaining chip.</p>

<p>Extracurriculars:</p>

<p>Significant Extracurriculars: </p>

<p>-Member of Apple Corporation's iPhone developer program (300+ hours; incalculable - I don't really keep track, but I've been working somewhat consistently for over 1.5 years.)
-Camp Leader (see below) (300+ hours)
-Elementary school tutor (2 hours per week)
-Internship at a nonprofit organization's web department for the sum
-FBLA (see below) - team placed 4th at State level for a competition.</p>

<p>*Leadership positions: *</p>

<p>-Camp leader for a camp for children 8-13 years for two summers (likely going to do it again for the summer before college). (300+ hours)
-Semi-active member of Future Business Leaders of America</p>

<p>Volunteer/Service Work: </p>

<p>-Tutor at a library for elementary age children.
-Camp leader during the summer (300+ hours)</p>

<p>Colleges of Interest:</p>

<p>College: California State University, Long Beach, Choice #: 0, ED/EA: No, Athlete: No, Legacy: Yes, Status: Will Apply
College: Pepperdine University, Choice #: 0, ED/EA: No, Athlete: No, Legacy: No, Status: Will Apply
College: San Francisco State University, Choice #: 0, ED/EA: No, Athlete: No, Legacy: No, Status: Will Apply
College: University of California, San Diego, Choice #: 0, ED/EA: No, Athlete: No, Legacy: No, Status: Will Apply
College: University of California-Irvine, Choice #: 0, ED/EA: No, Athlete: No, Legacy: No, Status: Will Apply
College: University of California-Los Angeles, Choice #: 0, ED/EA: No, Athlete: No, Legacy: No, Status: Will Apply
College: Stanford University, Choice #: 1, ED/EA: No, Athlete: No, Legacy: No, Status: Will Apply</p>

<p>Desired College Characteristics:</p>

<p>Possible Majors: Creative Writing, Literature, Computer Science (with as many programs as possible)</p>

<p>Location type: Small City, Rural
Size: Small (Under 2,500), Medium Small (2,500 - 5,000), Medium (5,000 - 10,000), Large (10,000 - 18,000)</p>

<p>Area: California
Importance of cost: Very important (though for now I just want to focus on finding the "right" schools to which I should apply.</p>

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2

<p>What classes have you taken and what is your SAT? (a value is better than nothing in helping CCers help chance you.</p>

3

<p>Thanks for the reply dvtran. Just embarassed since CC <em>is</em> full of “super students” (just my own term for people who can easily get over 2000 or 700 on their SATs (easily being defined as learn well and work well under certain conditions) or at least a few APs per year.</p>

<p>Freshman year:</p>

<p>Standard English
Algebra 1
Keyboarding/health (required by my school; waste of time)
Integrated Science
French 1
Phys Ed.</p>

<p>Sophomore year:</p>

<p>Standard English
Geometry
Biology
World History
Phys Ed.
French 2</p>

<p>Junior year:</p>

<p>AP English Language
Algebra 2
Physics
French 3
Photography
US History</p>

<p>Senior year (not finalized for about a month):</p>

<p>AP English Literature
Gov/Econ
Trigonometry (and pre-calc combined) or Stats
Chemistry
Psychology
French 4</p>

<p>*APs: I only have the two English classes as APs. However, French 4 is a new class this year and it may still be modified to fit the AP curriculum officially, though at present it’s just a standard French year four class. Other APs I would’ve taken but they either weren’t offered at my school or other various factors were at work.</p>

<p>SAT - Bad day plus underestimated the length and “difficulty” of the test (pacing was terrible) and just a horrible test taker:</p>

<p>Reasoning:</p>

<p>520 Reading
430 Math
460 Writing</p>

<p>Subjects:</p>

<p>410 French
480 Literature
510 U.S. History</p>

4

<p>Here’s the way I see it. With that SAT score, you don’t really have a shot at any of the UC’s. That said, I realize you will be retaking the SAT. Raise that SAT score, and you may have a fair chance at those UC’s. Next, your subject test scores are not too good. Might I suggest retaking TWO of them (pick the ones you think you can get at least a 600-650 on)? </p>

<p>I’m sorry if I sound harsh, but you really need to work on the SAT and subject tests. Did you consider taking the ACT? If you do well enough, it can be used instead of SAT+Subject tests.</p>

5

<p>Hm. Well I am definitely planning on taking each at least once more. I actually will do that I think - take only two subjects (USH and Lit). However, like I said in my previous post, I’m not a terrific test taker, hence my GPA (part of the reason) and SATs of course. I thought about the ACT, but I don’t think that I’ll be taking it.</p>

6

<p>I have to agree with bsmd11. Sorry, but unless your SAT scores improve dramatically, the UCs are out of the question. Your GPA isn’t particularly helpful either, but there’s nothing you can do about that now, so just focus on studying for SATs.</p>

7

<p>Hm. Is there any way that they would consider my ECs enough to balance the bad GPA and scores?</p>

8

<p>Most unfortunately (And I sincerely mean that), extra curricular activities don’t carry the same weight as standardized test scores and GPAs. They’re really more of an afterthought, something to make or break the applicant from admission, really. </p>

<p>As no one has suggested any (potential) alternative routes, might I suggest taking courses at a community college for two years and then transferring out? Before you say anything, I know that the vast majority of people are adverse to the idea of community college, but a) you stated that money is an important factor and b) you can transfer out to a different (and potentially prestigious) university or college after two years.</p>

<p>I’m personally inclined to believe that people shouldn’t treat the idea of community college as an afterthought, especially in an economy as crappy as this one. Plus, you’ll be taking the same core classes for the first two years in any college you attend (with the exception of colleges with an open curriculum, but they’re very few in number).</p>

<p>There are also SAT optional schools, many of which that can certainly hold their own with regard to academics.</p>

<p>Cheers.</p>

9

<p>Well the problem is that only the very top-most schools look extensively at ECs. Even, I would argue, schools of the level of UC Irvine hardly look at ECs, just SATs and GPA. UCLA does look at ECs somewhat, but they still take people primarily based on stats. Schools like Stanford pay great attention to ECs, but that is only because most of their applicants have 2300+ SAT and 3.9+ GPA. So, unfortunately, your stats will probably keep you out of these schools.</p>

10

<p>I suggest that you work hard your senior year with your classes. Even raising your gpa a point will make you look better. and for your test taking problems: don’t be too negative before tests, mentally prepare, study (obviously), try different methods. fir my spanish class for example, i found that reading vocab words from a list the class before helps me more than going through flash cards the night before. everyone is different.</p>

11

<p>Hello!</p>

<p>I can tell you are a smart girl, but you must realize that realistically, your scores and GPA are not high enough for most of the schools on your list. Some colleges have holistic admissions, but UCs for the most part will sort you or give you a numerical score based on SAT/GPA and rank you before even looking at your extracurriculars or essays. </p>

<p>That being said, there are a number of outstanding universities in California that you may want to look at.</p>

<p>Cal State Long Beach is a great school for creative writing with a lovely location, San Diego State, San Jose State, SF State, maybe UC Riverside if you’re set on a UC.</p>

12

<p>UC Merced takes pretty much every CA applicant with a UC GPA of 3.0 or higher and Riverside takes most. The others would be near impossible now. Even CSUs are getting tough to get into, make sure to apply to the one closest to home whose service area you are in. You will have the best shot there.</p>

<p>I would agree though that a good route may be 2 years at a community college. If you do well you can go to a top UC and scores will no longer be looked at. Even Stanford takes CC transfers every year.</p>

<p>Out of high school UCs are very formulaic and ECs really won’t take the place of appropriate stats. At Stanford even kids with 3.7/2100 and good ECs have virtually no chance.</p>