<p>Hi! So this is going to be a multi-question post, so bear with me! </p>
<p>I'm currently a junior amidst the stress and anxiety of 11th grade and had a few questions about college.</p>
<p>Just to give you an idea of the type of student and human I am, here are just a few, non-specific statistics:
ACT: 32 (practice test taken a year ago, so not an accurate representation on two counts-- retaking in June!)
Academic GPA-- 5 core classes (9-11): UW 4.0, W 4.3 (The weighted doesn't include advanced/honors classes, just AP)
I would say that my extra curricular activities and volunteering are fairly good considering the opportunities and circumstances in my life, though others may have a different opinion.
I'm planning on majoring in biology with a minor in Italian.</p>
<p>My first question is: what kind of schools should I apply to as backup? I live in California, so I am wondering at which UC's I have high chances of being admitted. In addition, I was wondering if you could offer up some other back up schools. One that I am thinking about is the University of Washington-- do you agree that this school is an appropriate "backup" school?</p>
<p>My second question is: This is more of a worry, actually. My school doesn't give out any academic awards other than honor roll, and it is my understanding that the Common App requests a list of academic awards. What can I do about this?</p>
<p>My last question is: My dream school from my research thus far is Rice University. Any advice to achieve this goal?
Again, thank you very much for your help. If you need any supplemental information from me to effectively answer my questions, please reply on this "thread".</p>
<p>To answer your first question, from a first glance I’d apply to schools like UCSD or UCSB as a small safety, as I don’t think anyone falls into complete safety for schools around that caliber. But your chances of being accepted at those schools are relatively high I believe. Wash. U is a good safety, certainly. As for complete safeties I’d say schools like Irvine, Davis, Riverside, etc.</p>
<p>As to your second question, don’t worry too much about that. It’s not a very important part of the application, and it doesn’t ask for strictly academic awards. I included a good amount of debate awards in that section, and it went fine. Don’t concern yourself with that section too much, focus more on the personal statement(s).</p>
<p>Have you talked to your parents about what they are willing to contribute to your college costs? Especially for safety or backup schools, you need to know for sure that they are affordable. To get estimates of financial aid, check the net price calculator on each school’s web site.</p>
<p>Out of state public schools like University of Washington generally do not give much (if any) financial aid.</p>
<p>If you actually do get a 32 on the ACT to go with your 4.0 unweighted GPA, your chances of admission at UCs should be decent at Berkeley and UCLA and high at most of the others. However, consideration of the essay and such makes it hard to make a 100% certain determination, though if you apply to all of them, the chance of not getting in any is remote (unless your application has a major defect that they all care about, like being missing some course needed for UC eligibility).</p>
<p>I have maintained a job throughout high school and will be paying for 50% of the costs. Is there anything I could include in my application to make UCB or UCLA more likely? Thank you for the responses, I am so grateful.</p>