UCLA, UC Berkeley, USC, NYU, Pepperdine, Purdue, Northwestern WHAT TO DO?!

Chance Me / Match Me!
1

Hey Guys!

I’ve been looking into making some decisions regarding college so I was hoping to get a fresh insight into my credentials as of now so that I can make appropriate and reachable decisions about where I should apply. Thanks for all your help :slight_smile:

BACKGROUND:

-International Student from Hong Kong
-female, fully Indian

SCHOOL CREDENTIALS: I am just finishing my sophomore year

GPA: 3.75 UW
PSAT Score: 1810 I know that’s low but that was with no prep. I’m starting prep this summer and I aim to get my score upto a 2000-2100.

I’m taking two honors classes this year and took two my freshman year. Next year I will be taking 3 AP’s
AP Econ(Macro+Micro)
AP Chem
AP Language and Comp.

GENERAL+ EC’s:

-trilingual: picked up Mandarin fluently-I plan on taking AP Chinese senior year
-softball team
-150+ hours of community service:
-soup kitchen
-teaching english and playing with physically and mentally handicapped children every month
-leader of SPCA club
-yearbook club…
-school band 6 years
-piano: completed Grade 8 ABRSM exams

Hook: 2nd gen. Indian immigrant going to an international school in Hong Kong, diverse culture, travelling, I really have no clue??!??

It’s close to impossible to get any internships here until you’re 18 and I don’t really have any experience regarding my future college major.

My interest would be to go into something bio/med related. possibly premed but thats pricey so I’m not sure. But definetely in the science field.

SO MY QUESTIONS ARE…

-What are some things you would suggest I could do the next few years to “beef” up my application? Should I focus more on my EC’s or improving my GPA?

-My goal uni’s I’m thinking about now would be UCLA, UC Berkeley, USC, NYU, Pepperdine, Purdue, Northwestern. Do you think I would have a reasonable chance of getting in or are they all reach schools/ impossible.

-Looking at colleges primarily on the west coast/ some east. Any other reasonable suggestions?

THANKS AGAIN! much love <3

2

For UCB and UCLA, forget your EC’s and work on your GPA. You are going to need a 3.9+ for a good chance. The rest will care about EC’s a little more, but not if your GPA remains low. In your condition, academics should be a first priority, before anything else!

3

If you do hit your SAT target, Purdue is possible.

4

UCB, UCLA, USC, and Northwestern are all reach schools. Your GPA is a little low for them, and your SAT scores don’t look too good either.
Purdue seems like a good fit though, and I think you should be able to get into NYU as well.

5

Pepperdine is possible but they are looking for applicants with passion and faith in addition to good grades.