<p>I'm currently at a California community college with a GPA between 3.7 and 3.8 (waiting on grades). I had an okay high school career where I had a solid freshman and sophomore year but slipped my last two years (but still had above a 3.0). In the end I finished #8 in my class with about a 3.5 unweighed GPA. My SAT's were a 2060. I know that I can't change my grades, but should I retake the SAT again (it would be my third time; my first time I earned like a 1850)? I'm planning on applying to Rice, Chicago, and USC as a junior in political science if that helps.
Also, I really want to join student government and our school's gay alliance club but I'm scared that it will make me look like I'm just doing it to list it in my application. Should I join or wait until I transfer to do those activities?</p>
<p>I would definitely join them right now, seeing as you really want to do them. Don’t be scared if you’ll give off a pretentious vibe; the adcom is able to detect whether an applicant is genuinely passionate or just fluffing it. I think you can use that to your advantage and list it as one of your significant extracurriculars when you apply for transfer. Good luck! :]</p>