Have posted here before but first deadline is just around the corner and a couple things have changed.
Applying to business/economics at the following schools, most concerned about my chances at:
USC
UCLA
Berkeley
Tulane
U Miami
NYU Stern
Also applying to Princeton and Columbia because my parents really want me to but I know those are out of my reach.
GPA (Weighted Scale):
4.26 Overall, upward trend
3.75 Freshman - 4.15 Sophomore - 4.75 Junior
Don’t know unweighted but A- average (so probably around a 3.6-3.7)
UC GPA: 4.13 weighted and capped
From competitive public high school (Top 200 Nationally, Top 5 in Massachusetts)
Course Load:
Close to most challenging curriculum I could take, only opted out of AP science (Chem/Bio/Physics)
4 APs Junior Year
5 APs Senior Year
ACT: 33 (34 E, 33 R, 29 M, 36 S)
If it matters, ACT Superscore is 34.
Started fundraising project that raises money and brings solar powered lights to a remote village in Haiti without electricity
Worked on designing a small consumer travel device with plans of starting a business out of it. Was awarded an official US patent for the design last week
Varsity Swimming 9-12, Captain, Recieved League All-Star awards every year, team received state sportsmanship award
Business Professionals of America, a leadership program for students, had to write a research paper and give a presentation on a certain aspect of the economy, qualified for the National conference
National Youth Leadership Forum, nominated by a teacher, week long leadership program over the summer
Lifeguarding 30 hrs a week last summer
Job in retail this fall
Gay Straight Alliance
-Relay for Life since 2nd grade, top contributor multiple years
-NHS
-Department Award for Science in 11th grade
Other Factors:
White
Male
Finances a non-issue
LGBT-- Grades got way better after I came out
Teacher Rec Letters will be good, but guidance counselor is brand new this year so doesn’t know me at all
Essays- Pretty good, got a professional coach who used to teach writing at Harvard
Please let me know my chances at USC and the other schools mentioned!
The UC schools are big on GPA. That said, I think your chances are good for all your schools. I wouldn’t call UCLA or UCB low reaches for anyone. They should be viewed as high reaches for all. Scores are only one piece of the app however. With your ECs directed toward business, I’m going to go out on a limb and say your best chance might be Stern. For UCs they want to see how you use your talents to make the world a better place. Knock it outta the park. Focus on those essays! Good Luck! If you’re from the West Coast, I’m thinkin’ Stern. But Columbia and Princeton are not out of the question. Go for it!
@Gumbymom Thank you! I was wondering if it’s at all easier for out of state applicants? I heard the acceptance rate is slightly higher but the applicant pool is stronger.
Applicants with top-end GPAs may see UCB or UCLA as low reach or even high match (assuming not applying to a more selective major like engineering majors). However, the OP is not such an applicant.
jrose said NYU is a sure thing, thats not true at all, Stern is one of the most competitive business programs so its definitely not a sure thing. Although I believe you can get into NYU fairly easily I’m not sure about Stern, what I heard most kids do is they go to NYU undeclared and ask a prof to write a letter of rec to try and get you into stern for your sophomore or junior year.
Here is what I think:
Safety-Low Match:
U Miami
Match:
NYU (Not Stern just NYU your stats are at or above the 75th percentile for NYU so it may be a low match)
Tulane (Tulane has a pretty low average GPA and ACT although it has a very low acceptance rate)
Match-High Match (Sort of like a mid-match?)
USC (Check with your schools naviance your ACT seems to be above average for USC your W GPA seems to be average and UW seems to be a little below average)
Stern
Reach:
Cal
UCLA