please help a very confused junior!!

Chance Me / Match Me!
1

<p>Hi, I am a new member here. I am a Chinese American living in California. I go to high ranking public high school in Cupertino. I am very confused about my chances at the different universities i look forward to. And I am thinking i need more guidance on extracurricular activities. </p>

<p>colleges I plan to apply for:
UC Berkeley
Stanford
UCLA
UCSD
(I think i need more, please help me on that)</p>

<p>SAT I:2000(CR: 540, W: 700, M: 760) (I don't think I will retake)
SAT II: planning to take chemistry, math, and maybe history in may/june
as a junior, I am taking Chem AP, AP US History, French 4 H, Pre Calc H, Concert Choir, and British Literature.
I took Computer Science AP and Chem H in sophmore year
Next year as a senior, I plan to take Biology AP and Physics Honors for sciences and also Gov't AP(1 sem), Econ AP(1 sem), English AP, and Calc BC AP for my AP classes next year.</p>

<p>Got 4 for my Comp Sci AP Exam.
GPA so far up to first semester of junior year:
unweighted: 3.853
weighted: 4.088</p>

<p>Since I know that for UC's they use the 8 semester system for AP/H classes, i'll post in more in detail.
in sophmore year, with 2 ap/h classes out of 7 classes, i got 1 B in first semester and 2 B's in second semester. (A's in rest)
in junior year, first semester, with 4 ap/h classes out of 6 classes, i got 2 B's. (A's in rest)</p>

<p>Extracurricular (I don't know if some of them really count):
I worked at the company that my father worked in in China in the summer after freshman year for around 5 weeks. I got a recommendation letter from the engineer who was in charged of helping me there.</p>

<p>I am an active member in CSF(California Scholarship Federation) and have 50 hours+ already.</p>

<p>I had been the Vice President of Chinese Club for one semester.</p>

<p>I am a member of Badminton Club. (Tried out for badminton last year, but didn't make it)</p>

<p>I am also a member of Tri-M Music Honor Society.</p>

<p>I write poetry and fictional stories in my spare time.</p>

<p>Please guide me on the various things I need to work on in order to become a more hopeful applicant into the various universities I apply to. I still haven't fully decided on my major yet. I was thinking of either majoring in chemistry, biology, or literature. I might have finance as a minor.
Thank you very much for your coming replies.</p>

2

<p>I will say that you EC is lacking a little but don't join clubs just so you can put it on your application, do it because you like it. With the little EC you have try to seek more leadership positions and get involve in a community service activity as well.</p>

3

<p>Don't worry, I only join clubs that I find interest in. =) if i join a leadership class in senior year, would it be too late? I am not sure if I still have chances to go for officer positions in various clubs. But this coming semester, I think I am planning to volunteer at a hospital that my friend recommends. And do you think maybe I can join some writing competitions since I like writing. I also want to join some summer programs related to the medical field, but they're all so competitive.</p>

<p>Can someone please chance me on the schools I listed? I also need guidance on adding more schools to the list. For now, I think I might add USC and Harvard.</p>

4

<p>With a 540 CR score, you have zero chance at Harvard, so don't bother unless you plan to retake this test and really add a lot of academic awards.</p>

<p>Here's the scoop: With a 4.083 UC GPA, you are a match at UCSD, and a slight reach at UC Berkeley and UCLA. Your problem--which you realize--is that the ECs aren't up to snuff for the last two schools mentioned. Accordingly you need to work on them. In particular, look for academic competitions (sciences, math, debate) in which you can compete and excel. Also, being active in a team sport--especially if you are the team captain--helps. School government is another area that can be where you show your leadership. Starting a club does the same.</p>

<p>The UCs grade on only the sophomore and junior years (although if you are accepted they will rescind the admission if you screw up senior year). You will need SAT scores in the 2000+ range for UC Berkeley and UCLA, 1950+ for UCSD, 1850+ for UCD, UCSB,and UC Irvine, and 1700+ for UCSC. You are already as good as accepted at most of the schools below UCSD. Since you have a 2000+ SAT score, you are in range for the top schools as long as your SAT IIs are also good.</p>

<p>Other schools that are possibilities if you can get a high SAT score and do better on the other APs you take are Cornell and Georgetown and Michigan.
Also, consider NYU, especially if you plan to major in business (finance in particular). Stanford is out unless the SAT is 2250+ and USC is a match at this point, but you will need a 1930+ SAT score.</p>

<p>Good luck and let me know if you need more info.</p>

<p>P.S. I would also plan to retake the SAT CR test in any case. Getting the score up to at least a 600 would be a gigantic help for your chances at UC Berkeley, UCLA, USC, and UCSD. Also, I live in the Silicon Valley area, so I know how good the Cupertino schools are--and that should help your chances.</p>

5

<p>if you aren't going to retake the SAT, then don't apply to standford. Or atleast take the ACT...</p>

6

<p>On my comment on USC:</p>

<p>I meant to say that you need a 1930 SAT (which you already have) plus two SAT IIs in the 650 range. (which I expect you to get)--which is why I rated you a match.</p>