Reasonable choices for an average student?

Chance Me / Match Me!
1

<p>Hello everyone, my name is Andrew. I’ve been here for almost a year and I’ve learned quite a lot from CC. Anyways, I’d really like to know about what you guys think about my college choices.</p>

<p>GPA: ~3.75 UW
Ethinicity: Asian Male in San Francisco suburbs, California (low income family)
Rank: ~7/271
SAT I: 1610/2400
SAT II: Math II (600), US History (520), Physics (540)
ACT: 25 (retaking in fall ~27/36)
Intended Major: Kinesiology w/ Athletic Training concentration, Athletic Training and/or Physical Therapy</p>

<p>ECs:
Student Council (4 years): Class VP (9) and Pres (10), ASB Secretary (11) and Pres (12)
Swimming (3 years): Captain (11, 12)
Dance (2 years): High school dance show performer (11,12)
GSA (2 years) - 11,12
Yearbook (1 year): Editor-in-Chief (12)</p>

<p>ECs that I love being involved in, but might be weighted less or not at all
G.A.T.E Club (3 years) - 10,11,12
CSF (California Scholarship Federation, 3 years) - 10,11,12
Principal Selection Committee - 2 Days (Month of June)</p>

<p>Work Experience:
Marketing Assistant Intern - 6 months (10th grade)
Private Tutor - Part Time Tutor for a kid until I graduate (12th grade)</p>

<p>Volunteer Experience:
Okay here’s what I am having trouble with. I volunteer when I can but I’m inconsistent because of time conflicts. I volunteered in various events that takes just a day to finish since that’s all I can afford, time wise. All in all, I would say I did 30 Comm. Service hours all four years. Not alot huh? I was thinking of not putting it in application. Do you agree?</p>

<p>Summer Programs:
Berkeley’s ATDP Program (Summer of 10th grade)
Boston University’s Summer Challenge Program (Summer of 11th grade)</p>

<p>Awards/Recognition:
Awards are really minor and only within school.
P.E. Student of the Month - Feb 05
Academic Award every year in high school
Rotary Youth Leadership Award (11)
G.A.T.E Club Leadership Award (11)
Dance Excellence Award (11)
Science Department Award – Physics (11)
Brisbane Volunteer Work Star Awards (11)
Swimming – Most Valuable Swimmer & Most Spirited Swimmer (11)</p>

<p>Prospective Colleges:</p>

<p>Super Reach
Rice</p>

<p>Slight Reach
Northeastern EA
UC Santa Cruz</p>

<p>Match
University of Pacific
Linfield College</p>

<p>Safety
Holy Names University
Pacific University
CSU East Bay</p>

<p>Your suggestions/opinions

  1. Should I even bother applying to my dream school - Rice University? Seems like I have less than likely I’d be admitted. I was seriously considering on doing Interim Decision, but is it even worth it?</p>

<li><p>Also just curious about the weather in Houston. I really like the weather in San Francisco (foggy, warm, cool & breezy). Is Houston hotter?</p></li>
<li><p>I love the location of CSU East Bay, but I heard its like a commuter school. Is this true? I was thinking of replacing it with Sonoma State since its more of a residential campus. Both of these CSUs are my favorites.</p></li>
<li><p>I’ve spoken with teachers and they said I’m undershooting with my colleges. They think I should apply to more prestigious schools. But I never really liked prestige and rankings anyways - I’m more inclined into selecting a college based on fit. So if anyone has any other suggestions, my criteria is small-medium size, suburban/urban, socioeconomic diversity, financially affordable, kinesiology/AT/PT major, indoor swimming pool, swim club. (I’m aware that not all of these criterias will be met, but meeting most of them or some of them can be okay).</p></li>
<li><p>Should I bother with the ECs that might be weighted slightly lower in the admission process? I heard that GATE club is not that important, but I really hope CSF is seen as a decent EC. I love doing them, but I feel that it doesn’t add much to admission. I don’t want to laundry my ECs so I am just including my top 5 ECs…any thoughts?</p></li>
<li><p>Should I include Volunteer Work Experience?</p></li>
</ol>

<p>Thank you guys. Sorry for the long post - it’s becoming a habit.</p>

2

<p>Other than your underachieving test scores you have a great chance everywhere, I'd say that if you could raise your act score by 3 points you could get into Rice, and many other top 50 schools. Forget the csu's and the other no-namers you have on your list, you have a 3.75 gpa it will get you in at alot of places. Although it might look like theres grade inflation at your school because of your test scores.</p>

3

<p>I didn't read past your 2nd line...</p>

<p>7/271 is not average. Don't be so pathetic.</p>

4

<p>i wouldn't consider uc santa cruz a slight reach...i'd say a match. but if you can get some of your SATs up you'll have a great shot at a lot of the top schools/and top UCs (since GPA matters more for UCs). you could probably aim for more "difficult to get in" schools.</p>

5

<p>actually, what's you weighted GPA?</p>

6

<p>My weighted GPA is around 3.85</p>

<p>Thank you for your time to reply everyone. Up until to this point, I got the impression that because of my SAT scores, it hinders me from getting admitted. It's my fault that I listened to my GC all these times and never got a second opinion. Which is why I'm here to get those opinions. Well, I've been informed by my guidance counselor and once by UCB Rep that since I don't have an 1800/2400 (or a 1200/1600 on old SAT) or an ACT of 28, I barely have a chance/have great difficulty in middle tier UCs. So I've been targeting the colleges lower in admission requirements than the middle tier UCs. I'm so frustrated right now that I actually believed them. </p>

<p>I know that my weakness is these standardize test scores. You see my school is an underperforming school - have sucky academics to put it bluntly and never really hone critical thinking approach to students. I do believe that my school has grade inflation - the highest score we have in terms of SATs (from what I hear) is 1850. That tells a lot about my school..</p>

<p>But I really appreciate the encouragement. I've been studying for the ACT and really taking the time to study it when I get the time. To put it out there, when I really try the practice tests without worrying about the time, I could really get low 30s (30-32) as a composite score. With time, I could barely break 26. I'm aware I cannot work under time pressure, but does anyone know how to deal with it?</p>

<p>Okay well back to my original posts' questions (ignore the average stuff. I guess I'm not a bad applicant I thought I was).</p>

<p>I appreciate the help everyone.</p>

<p>Okay.....a long post once again...</p>

7

<p>You're NOT a bad applicant - but your standardized test scores really do hurt you considerably.</p>

<p>Here is a list of SAT/ACT optional schools: <a href="http://www.fairtest.org/optinit.htm%5B/url%5D"&gt;http://www.fairtest.org/optinit.htm&lt;/a> This list includes a lot of schools that are a much lower tier than you're looking at, but also includes some great schools, such as Bowdoin and Middlebury, Muhlenberg, etc. You might have a better chance at getting into a higher tier school by using this list :D</p>

8

<p>i don't think you should go to college-you're no too bright if you think that your stats are "AVERAGE". Honestly, go back to 10th grade and take a stats course.</p>

9

<p>You just have to hone your standardized test taking skills. First you should learn the different types of questions. It seems that you've passed this step because you've been getting high scores during practice. The next step is to test yourself in a test taking environment (timed tests). Then, when you're consistently scoring well, you'll be ready.</p>

10

<p>If you're serious about those majors, particularly athletic training, take a look at U of Iowa. I've got friends there and they think it's a steal. Maybe a little larger than you're thinking about, but it's in a great college town and less than $30,000/year for out of state. And with your class rank and ACT you're almost qualified to get into the Honors Program:</p>

<p><a href="http://www.uiowa.edu/admissions/undergrad/honors-opps/frst-yr-reqs.htm%5B/url%5D"&gt;http://www.uiowa.edu/admissions/undergrad/honors-opps/frst-yr-reqs.htm&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p>

11

<p>your GPA is a match for all middle tier UC's.</p>

<p>your SAT's are pretty low.</p>

<p>you just have to practice and raise it up to have a better chance.</p>

12

<p>1610 SAT and low SAT2's aren't gonna help you at all. At least study and take the SATs in October and SAT2's in Dec? If you have an 1800-2100 you're absolutely set for most schools except top 20.</p>

13

<p>Drewhistle:</p>

<p>UCSC: Safety (ELC status)</p>

14

<p>Thank you guys for all the reply. Please refer to my second post about the way I perceive myself as average - yeah I said ignore it pls. Sorry about that, but I guess I was too caught up with at least having an 1800 SAT/30 ACT to be considered a good applicant. I realize at this point that its just stupid and retarded on my part. Again look at my second post - ignore the average word pls.</p>

<p>However, I appreciate the honesty and the suggestions and feedback, I really appreciate it.</p>

<p>Back to my questions
Your suggestions/opinions</p>

<ol>
<li><p>Also just curious about the weather in Houston. I really like the weather in San Francisco (foggy, warm, cool & breezy). Is Houston hotter?</p></li>
<li><p>I love the location of CSU East Bay, but I heard its like a commuter school. Is this true? I was thinking of replacing it with Sonoma State since its more of a residential campus. Both of these CSUs are my favorites. I don't know, but I just want to be safe - one of these can be my safeties if I couldn't afford other universities. Which one to prefer, Sonoma or East Bay?</p></li>
<li><p>Should I bother with the ECs that might be weighted slightly lower in the admission process? I heard that GATE club is not that important, but I really hope CSF is seen as a decent EC. I love doing them, but I feel that it doesn't add much to admission. I don't want to laundry my ECs so I am just including my top 5 ECs....any thoughts?</p></li>
<li><p>Should I include Volunteer Work Experience?</p></li>
</ol>

<p>Thank you so much,
Andrew</p>

15

<p>In answer to your questions, </p>

<p>(1) Rice is a stretch, but you have a small chance--so the question is how bad do you want it? I rate your chances at only about 30% and based upon your next question (see below), I would not apply.</p>

<p>(2) Houston is much hotter than San Francisco (well, except for the last three days anyway--can you believe our weather this week?). Anyway, Houston is hotter and muggy (humid). The city and the people are nice, but you will not be happy at Rice if weather is a major concern.</p>

<p>(3) Sonoma State is much nicer and higher-rated than CSU East-Bay (which used to be known as Cal State Hayward).</p>

<p>(4) Based upon your original list, you were shortselling yourself a bit, but like you said, let's pick a place where you will be happy. Other places to consider: Santa Clara, Pepperdine, Univ of San Diego, Gonzaga, Washington, and USC. Lewis and Clark State College (in Lewiston, ID, not the one in Portland, OR) has a great kinesiology program,, so you might want to consider there.</p>

<p>(5) Schools are more interested in what you've done than in an accomplishment that you merely get as a by-product. What have you done as a CSF person--does your club that do things and help others or provide services of value to the community? This is what colleges care about. </p>

<p>(6) I would include my volunteer service, and just explain why it's limited. Especially at some of the schools I've suggested above (which are religious based) they care that the student is at least trying to do things of value in the community through volunteer efforts.</p>

<p>Good luck.</p>

16

<p>1) I'd rate Rice a stretch to such a degree that it makes very little sense to apply there if you don't retake the SAT I/ACT and improve 200/3 points and/or consider the improved chances of ED/EA.</p>

<p>2) Yes, Houston is hot and muggy; it's one of the places most different from the sea breezes of California you can find. From what you say about San Fran, I'd guess that you really love coastal weather; if so, I'd suggest looking at Florida universities on the Gulf of Mexico and Atlantic Ocean--maybe U. of Miami.</p>

<p>3) I know absolutely nothing there.</p>

<p>4) You're not average; go for some reaches if you're 7th in the class.</p>

<p>5) Explain what you've done for the community and why it matters TO YOU; that way, you've established a reason for doing what you've done.</p>

<p>6) And, yes, include service, however meager.</p>

17

<p>omg...Houston's weather is terrible this week. I couldn't go to my lab b/c it was raining so hard. Yes, apply to Rice only if you can raise ur SATs/ACT or try in ED/ID.</p>