Please help a panicked high school senior finalize her college list!

Chance Me / Match Me!
1

<p>Hey guys!
So, this is what I have so far (these are the colleges that I am applying to or am seriously considering): UCSD, UCI, UCD, UCLA, UCSB, UCSC, UCB, USC, University of Washington in Seattle, University of Rochester, Pomona College, and Claremont Mckenna.
Here's what I would really appreciate from you guys: a yay or nay on each of the colleges on my current list because everybody keeps telling me I should apply to around 5 or 6 colleges and I have...12. Lovely. So, now you can see one reason why I'm so panicked. hahaha. Also, if any one of you guys is familiar with any universities (public, private, in state, out of state. I have no preference) with a strong biology program, send the name my way. please. And, if you guys feel like it, feel free to chance me for any of those colleges listed above ;) . Thanks!</p>

<p>Here are my stats:</p>

<p>High School senior (Class of 2010)
Public school (pretty strong, sends a good number of students to UC's and other well known universities every year)
California resident
Female
Asian</p>

<p>TEST SCORES:
ACT:
Composite: 35
English: 36
Math: 34
Reading: 35
Science: 35
SAT 2:
Biology M: 740
US History: 750
AP:
Chemistry: 3
World History: 3
US History: 4
Biology: 5</p>

<p>GRADES:
GPA (9-11, weighted): 4.29
GPA (9-11, UW, with PE): 3.68
GPA (9-11, UW, w/o PE): 3.48 (yikes...I know :( )</p>

<p>By the way, this is not the UC GPA. I'm not quite sure how to calculate that, but I am positive that these are not my UC GPA. These are just my GPA that is calculated based on my school's criteria.</p>

<p>CLASSES:
9th Grade:
Biology, Honors World Geography, English Honors 1, Geometry, Spanish 1, PE
10th Grade:
AP Chemistry, AP World Hist, English Honors 2, Algebra 2/Trig, Spanish 2, ASB (also known as student government, student council, etcetcetc), PE
11th Grade:
AP Biology, AP US History, English Honors 3, Pre-Calculus Honors, Spanish 3, Physiology
12th Grade:
AP Physics, AP Economics/AP US Government, AP English Literature, AP Calculus A/B</p>

<p>EXTRACURRICULARS:
I have plenty. Way too much, in my opinion. But I have enough extracurriculars, volunteer hours, and leadership experience to fill out my application. I'm just too lazy right now to list them all. hahaha! sorry :(</p>

<p>So, that's all of it. Please help me out. I'm really stressed out right now and I would greatly appreciate your insight.</p>

<p>Thank you!!</p>

2

<p>Keep CMC or Pomona-whichever you like better. Both seems silly
Drop the school in Seattle
Keep Cal, UCLA, and another favorite UC
Add a safety, and you’re good to go
<a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/what-my-chances/795478-new-chances-brown-smith-yale-scea.html[/url]”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/what-my-chances/795478-new-chances-brown-smith-yale-scea.html&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

3

<p>So your ACT scores are quite superb so no worries there. UC’s do not consider freshman year, so if the grades that are bringing down your GPA are there you shouldn’t worry. Because of your strong test scores, I would say that an equally strong essay is necessary to be considered for the mid-range UC’s. Typically you apply to 9 schools: three safety’s, three matches, and three reaches. </p>

<p>UCSD - Match
UCI - Match
UCD - Reach - Low Match (Davis has become increasingly more difficult to get into. I think last year the GPA averaged a 3.8/4.0)
UCLA - Reach
UCSB - Match
UCSC - Match
UCB - Reach
USC - Reach</p>

4

<p>^^I think 9 is excessive
I think 6-8 is more than enough</p>

5

<p>I think it all depends on the student and how decisive you are, as well as if you’re willing to take a risk. I applied to 5 and didn’t take any huge chances.</p>