Hello
I came to the US during my Junior year. I had hoped my GPA would be great but it seems I have failed and now I’m going to be stuck with a GPA of 3.2. I had no AP classes (Did not get any because I was new to the country). I have a high SAT score, atleast that’s what others say, 1440. I am going to try very hard to get a perfect score throughout the summer.
Now the problem is I want to get into good colleges (Ivy Leagues, Caltech, UCB/UCLA etc. etc.) But with a GPA of 3.2 I don’t think I would get into any good college. I’m considered a california resident.
I wanna get into a well renowned college, and I feel like I’m doomed. Should I go to a community college? And then transfer to an Ivy league with a great community GPA? Or should i try to get into schools like UC Riverside and then try to transfer? Is it possible?
Any type of help is appreciated! I really need to know and plan for my future.
You better go to a CC first and then try your luck with the top schools you dream about, otherwise, it is extremely unlikely for you to get admitted to those! Frankly, in your current status, even if one of those schools makes a mistake and admits you, don’t accept. You would not survive the competition if you get in now!
Allow time to yourself to improve, in an easier environment first (cc?) and then if you could improve enough, the doors may open to you.
^ I agree. In CA you are fortunate to have a real chance of getting into UCB and UCLA from your CCC. Show there that you can handle the harder work of college.
Is the 3.2 GPA your cumulative GPA for high school? Or for only junior year?
You’re not going to get into ivies or a top UC with that GPA.
You could go to a CC and then TAG into a UC, or you could go to UCMerced or UCR and do fine.
What is your major or career goal?
Not being able to get into an Ivy level school is far from being doomed. I suggest you do the following…
–Talk to your parents about any constraints (ex. financial, geographic etc.)
–Talk to the guidance counselor at your HS. Get ideas, if your HS has Naviance that can be a useful tool.
–Get your hands on some college guide books (Fiske is my favorite, Princeton Review is also good) which can probably be found at your HS guidance department, the library etc. and start reading.
–Think about what you want in a college (other than “prestige”) and what you might want to study
–Look into 4 year colleges you could get into (and afford) with your profile and compare those to the option of starting at a CC.
sounds like there is nothing good in between the Ivies and CCs.