UCSD, UCLA, USC, UCB, BU, or BC?

Chance Me / Match Me!
1

<p>Hello, I'm looking for some advice/guidance. I'm not sure if I should look for some more safeties (UCI is my only definite one) or if my stats are good enough because I have some weak points. Could any of you help me with match/reach/safety for these schools and recommend me anything to improve my changes to get into the schools I want? </p>

<p>I also have to pay for all, or at least, the majority of, my college, so is it likely that I will get any full/partial rides? I don't think I will qualify for FASFA or any of the usual financial aid because my mom's income is high enough for us to live comfortably but not high enough to pay for college (my sister is two years older than I am so my family will have two daughters in college at the same time). I'm currently, and will be, throughout senior year, trying to win some scholarships to offset the cost.</p>

<p>GPA
-3.89 unweighted (ranked 18/608)
-4.3 weighted (ranked 15/608)
-4.14 UC</p>

<p>AP/Honors Courses
-6 AP courses (passed all of them) and going to take 5 more during senior year
-2 honors courses (but these don't really matter, do they?)</p>

<p>SAT/ACT
-SAT First time: 590 reading, 640 math, 620 writing (1230/1850)
-SAT Second time: 660 reading, 630 math, 570 writing (1290/1860)
^ 1920 if the highest score from each section is added
-SAT 2:<a href="no%20longer%20required%20for%20my%20year%20and%20on">/u</a>
US History: 700
Math 2: 610
Biology: 690
-ACT: 32 (composite/ equivalent to SAT score in 2100s) </p>

<p>Extracurriculars
-Culture Club member for 4 years and officer for 2 years
-NHS member for 3 years and going to be an officer next year
-painting/drawing since elementary school (never entered any contests)
-Key Club for 2 years
-ROTC for 2 years
-150ish hours of community service
(not sure if this counts or if I will be doing this but I have a good chance of being chosen)
-director of Read Across America (it's a 3 day Dr. Seuss themed event where elementary schools visit and we have activities and books for them)</p>

<p>Honors/Awards
-3rd place in Biology Competition (as a team)
-4.0 Award (multiple times)
-Outstanding Cadet Award (ROTC) </p>

<p>RECs/Essay
I have a couple teachers who really like me who can write good RECs and for the essay, I think I'm going to write about some aspect of my personality. I don't have a "good" sobstory about my family or life but there are some things I could write about. I'm also unsure if I should write about art if I want to do pre-med.</p>

<p>There you have it. I know I'm weak in SATs, honors/awards, and ECs. Is there anything to fix that? How good are my chances of getting accepted and getting financial aid?</p>

2

<p>You have a good shot at getting into the lower ECs; however, UCLA looks like a reach. The costs shouldn’t be terrible, if you are in state. Your SAT might limit your scholarship chances, but you have a pretty strong GPA and course load. Can you get any money through the ROTC program? Check, if you can. Chance me back?</p>

3

<p>Thank you for your insight! Sorry if this sounds dumb, but what’s a lower EC? I don’t think I can get anything out of ROTC. The ROTC system is pretty corrupt at my school and generally only favor about 15 people.</p>

4

<p>I am basically applying to every school you mentioned except BU. Your GPA is slightly better than mine but my SAT’s are slightly better than yours lol. </p>

<p>Anyways I think you have a very good chance at BU and UCSD. You mentioned UCI is your only safety? Since UC’s use the same application, you might want to also look at UCD, UCSB, or UCR as an additional safety? This past year, several students from my school got accepted to UCSD but NOT UCI, so not sure if UCI still counts as a safety. </p>

<p>Your SAT scores are a little bit low for UCLA, UCB, and BC. However your ACT does somewhat make up for that. You also mentioned how SAT II’s are no longer required. However UCLA and UCB do strongly recommend it since they are both upper tier schools, so you might want to retake those and aim for 700+. </p>

<p>Good Luck!!</p>

5

<p>Get your SAT or ACT score up.</p>

6

<p>Saftey Schools: assuming you are in cali, you are in the top 4% which means you have elc and get into uc santa barbara, irvine and davis. So those are all incredible safteys. Be proud. </p>

<p>Chances: You definitley have a chance at all of those schools. Obviously a higher SAT is always gonna help. But as you stand now you have a chance at all of them. I got in with a lower SAT to berkeley. And a friend with your SAT got into UCLA.</p>

<p>Financial Aid: I didnt think i would get any. I didnt want to waste my time, but i decided to do it and it was worth it. I got 5k in financial aid and i didnt expect any, i thought i was way too high. They also take into account siblings in college.</p>