Hello. I’m really stressed out about the college admission. process and was looking for help in my situation. The application process is approaching so rapidly and I just would appreciate some guidance.
I am a student at a private catholic high school in Southern California. I really want to go into pharmacy, majoring in either chemistry or biochemistry as an undergraduate, and I’m trying to find colleges that best help me follow this path. Ideally, I’m trying to stay in California. My credentials are:
4.0 weighted GPA, 3.76 unweighted, 4.14 UC GPA
33 ACT Composite. 34 ACT Super scored.
1950 SAT (Not even planning on submitting this anywhere)
700 Chem, 690 U.S. History, 640 Math II (I know, pretty bad. I’m only in precal right now so I don’t think I did too bad considering that. Not that colleges care)
AP Chem - 4
APUSH - 4
AP English Language - 4
I would give my personal statement a 6/10 right now with potential to be a 9/10. Common app essay is a 9.5/10 right now.
My senior course load includes AP Physics 1, AP English Literature, AP Psych, AP Social Studies (In which AP Gov is first semester and AP Macro is second semester).
I didn’t take high school very seriously my freshman and sophomore years, and thus my GPA was pulled down considerably. My junior year I really got my crap together and pulled near straight As, with only a B+ in AP Chem second semester. Thus there is a noticeable improvement, for any schools that consider that.
In terms of extra curriculars, I have been in my school’s theatre department all 4 years, and am currently in a leadership position there. I have been a part of NHS beginning first semester junior year, as well as CSF since first semester sophomore year. I was a part of ASB during my junior year. I managed the basketball team my freshman year. I participated in an immersion program my junior year in which I lived at my school and spent the entire day out in places like Skid Row helping the homeless or acting as a “big brother” for Shane’s inspiration for kids with autism. My big EC is that I have been a professional actor since I was 5 and have been a part of the workforce as well as a member of SAG/AFTRA ever since.
Money is a bit of an issue. I would consider myself lower-midle class. This is my big reason for wanting to stay in Cali, and my interest in the UC system as shown below. Generally, I would prefer not to exceed 25k in terms of base tuition.
I plan on applying to (in no order):
UCLA
UC Berkeley
UCSD
UCSB
UCSC
Cal Poly Slo
University of Michigan
USC (Only if I can get a good amount of financial aid)
Skidmore (Once again, only if getting a good amount of financial aid)
I would be happy with any of these schools, top choice probably being split between UCSD, UC Berkeley, and Michigan. Any advice on where to apply or where to not apply as well as any help in pursuing pharmacy would be greatly appreciated. Thank you very much.