please tell me my honest chances at these schools

Chance Me / Match Me!
1

<p>I'm applying to Claremont Mckenna, Pomona, Upenn, Stanford, UCBerkeley, UCLA, UCSD, and UCDavis. </p>

<p>I have a 3.5 9-12 gpa uw, w i don't really know
I have a 3.7 UC gpa uw, 3.9 weighted
Aps:
European History: 4
US History: 5
Biology: 5
English Language: 3
World History: 3 (took just the test w/o studying)
US Government: taking right now
Chemistry: taking right now
Calculus AB: taking right now
Literature: taking right now
Psychology: taking right now</p>

<p>SAT:
2010 (in one sitting) 700 reading, 640 math, and 670 writing
2060 with best from each section: 720 CR, 640 math, 700 writing
SAT II:
World History 750
Math 2C 660 (considering retaking)
Biology M 700 (retaking in dec)
Literature (took in Nov)
*taking the ACT in Dec, hoping for 34+ because i've been getting consistent 32/33 on practice tests</p>

<p>ECs
Track and XC for 3 years
Volunteer with key club, animal shelter, library, science summer programs
First degree black belt
MUN: Got a couple of awards here but dropped out of the program because I wanted to take AP European History (I'm a history buff) and I could only choose one or the other.
Internship at ADP, an accounting company where I intern with the tech support crew
Whos Who among high school students for 3 years (should i put this, i hear from people that it's a scam)
National Honor Roll
Received an award in French from the "National Association of French Teachers" or something similar to that, can't tell from the crest
AP Scholar with Distinction
Was offered an internship at UCSBs marine science institute because I kept asking but could not go because it was too far away
Wanted to take summer programs in marine biology (my intended major) or molecular biology (other intended major) but my family was going through a family crisis and could not afford to</p>

<p>I'm hoping to get good recs from my AP English and AP Biology teacher and from my counselor.</p>

<p>Pomona is my dream school, I really want to go there! </p>

<p>I know my GPA isnt' stellar and my SATs are too low for these elite schools but I would just like to know my chances, thanks!</p>

<p>Forgot to add that I'm Asian, from a low income family, and the first generation to go to college (my sister was the first in our family)</p>

2

<p>Sounds like you already know. Davis looks good and maybe SD.</p>

3

<p>well I was more or less looking for my chance at Pomona, Berkely or Stanford. I know these are big time reaches for me but I was just wondering, especially with Pomona because I hear they don't put as much emphasis on grades then on their possible contributions but thanks</p>

4

<p>berkely looks good to me
ur gpa is a bit low
but you look to be a solid candidate</p>

5

<p>There's nothing wrong with applying to these reach schools - just be sure you have some solid back-ups that offer the kind of programs you're looking for.
Take a look at Cal State Monterey Bay if you're serious about marine science.<br>
Also, you should add Santa Barbara to your UC list. I wouldn't consider Davis a safety if I were you. Personally, I think Monterey Bay has a better marine program than either of them.</p>

<p>And no one can tell you your chances. Don't believe them if they try.</p>

6

<p>Occidental College has strong biological science programs including marine biology and good merit aid for qualified students . DD was really focused on Pomona until she visited Oxy which became her first choice-She has a friend over at Scripps so she visits the Claremont Colleges but she is very happy with her choice.</p>

7

<p>I see thanks momcalling and ASAP. Guess i'll take a look at Monterey Bay and Occidental College, but I remember hearing somewhere that UCDavis has the best marine biology program but guess I was wrong. And I'm also thinking of maybe majoring in literature, which I hear Pomona is awesome for. So I'm guessing this means that I wouldn't have a good chance there huh :(</p>

<p>oh I forgot to add that I'm currently taking Oceanography at my local JC and I, along with my friends, organized our schools first ever Ocean Science Bowl team and are competing this year.</p>

8

<p>koolaznpygmy:</p>

<p>Assuming you are a California resident,
UCB/UCLA: Slight Reach
UCSD: Match
UCD: Safe Match</p>

9

<p>Flopsy;
I noticed your highlighting the chances of CA residents chances at UC colleges.
My son is interested in both Ponoma and UC Berkley.
Is there a preference or not on out of state students?
Private schools vs UC schools?</p>

<p>Thanks
rb</p>

10

<p>The University of California has a legal obligation to give preference to in-state students. It's harder to get accepted if you are OOS. Pomona is private and will not give any particular preference to in-state applicants. In fact, they might give a slight preference to OOS applicants to improve the geographical mix of their student body. (Pomona College is a private liberal arts school that is part of the Claremont Colleges. California Polytechnic, Pomona, is a public tech-oriented university in Pomona. I'm not sure which you meant.)</p>

11

<p>I've never heard anything about UC Davis having any notable marine bio program. Don't take my word on this, but I'd recommend double checking your info. Also, the Claremont Colleges have no marine bio program. Regular bio, yes. At least one introductory marine science course, yes. More than that? Not that I know of. At least not anything particularly noteworthy.</p>

<p>While "wanted to..." information is helpful in letting other posters get a feel for your interests, you probably already know that it doesn't qualify as an EC.</p>

<p>Nothing stands out as particularly striking, but nothing stands out as horribly out of place, either. I can't see predictions being very helpful to you because of that. You look good and you seem to know your own strengths and weaknesses. Good luck!</p>

12

<p>UCB/UCLA: Slight Reach
UCSD: Match
UCD: Safe Match</p>

13

<p>rskibum:</p>

<p>I agree with Rick Tyler.</p>