What Are My Chances? (California Student)

Chance Me / Match Me!
1

<p>Hello!</p>

<p>I'm hoping that someone out there may be able to give some insight into my chances of acceptance at these schools.</p>

<ol>
<li>UCLA</li>
<li>USC (Southern California)</li>
<li>UCI</li>
<li>UCR</li>
<li>UCM</li>
<li>CSU Long Beach</li>
</ol>

<p>(These are in order of preference)</p>

<p>I'm currently a junior who will be attending a university right after graduation. I'm a Northern California resident (but would like to move southward for personal reasons) and was also born here. My high school is recognized by many universities as quite rigorous and excellent for a public school.</p>

<p>I'm hoping to major in Biology (which I will be taking as an AP next year) and perhaps go into Dentistry or some branch of it.</p>

<p>GPA: 3.5 Unweighted(currently) will probably be around 3.6/3.7 after some grades are adjusted after the year is over (AP affecting final grade, etc.). Around 3.9 Weighted (will also be higher once adjusted)</p>

<p>SAT: 2040 (will be retaking)</p>

<p>SAT II: 4 different subjects (will be taking soon)</p>

<p>ACT: undecided on whether to take it or not</p>

<p>Number of Honors Courses: 4</p>

<p>Number of AP Courses: 3 (Will be taking 4 more next year)</p>

<p>I went from taking almost zero honors classes in the beginning of high school to an increasing amount of honors and AP's in sophomore and (this) junior year. Therefore, my GPA suffered a little because of these classes. I'm no brilliant genius by nature so tackling some of these courses has proven to be more difficult than what I was used to.</p>

<p>Extras:
-Sport before entering High School
-300+ hours of community service
-Member of service group for 3 years
-Volunteer at the same place for 3 Years
-President of a school club
-Played the piano for well over 10 years
-6 years of outside-of-school (in addition to the same amount in-school) foreign language instruction (In what most consider to be the most difficult East Asian language)
-2 years of instruction in another difficult East Asian language
-1 College course in East Asian History
-Participation in a brief, government-affiliated program to study abroad in Asia</p>

<p>Additional:
-California resident
-Underrepresented minority (no doubt)
-can receive amazing recommendation letters outside from teachers
-many experiences and notable things to write about in my college application essays
-Again, my high school is considered to be quite rigirous in its course work and the teachers are challenging
-I'm hoping to be the first in my family to go to an outstanding school and really pursue a career that will ultimately be financially successful and personally fulfilling.</p>

<p>Unfortunately, my grades are not as magnificent as those of other students who will be applying to these universities; however, I am interested in knowing what kind of chances I have to my top schools. I've checked many scatter grams, statistics, etc. and also realize that there is no sure-fire way to predict where exactly I will be accepted, but I hope that someone will be able to give me some indication (mostly to ease my stress). I am also hoping that my extra-curriculars (although not extensive) will give me some sort of boost, especially my volunteering and trip abroad (which opened my eyes to many new things I was previously unaware of). I am very impressed with my achievements in the area of foreign language and am very passionate about my experiences with it. It is really what allowed me to have as many opportunities as I've had, and I feel extremely blessed.</p>

<p>As for my interests, I would say I have interests leaning more towards the artsy/creative side, things I'm naturally good at. However, dentistry has always fascinated me (as Biology also has) and I can say that I have no issues looking and probing around anyone's mouth.</p>

<p>I tried to add as many details as possible; however, it's impossible to give you my entire personality over the internet. But, I hope that someone will be able to tell me what realistic chances I have at these schools.</p>

<p>Thank you so much!</p>

2

<p>I’m really hoping that someone may be able to help me with my worries…Please reply</p>

3

<p>What’s your ethnicity?</p>

<p>You should definitely retake the SAT, and also try the ACT.
Your GPA needs to be a bit higher as well.
Also, you should try to take some SAT subject tests in areas that you excel in. The UC’s will no longer require them for the c/o 2012, but it never hurts to take them.</p>

<ol>
<li>UCLA - Reach / Low Reach</li>
<li>USC (Southern California) - Low Reach / High Match</li>
<li>UCI - Match</li>
<li>UCR - Safety</li>
<li>UCM - Safety</li>
<li>CSU Long Beach - Safety</li>
</ol>

<p>Good luck!</p>

4

<p>I’m African-American (will probably help with USC, right? But not the others.)</p>

<p>Yes, I will be taking the ACT…I just don’t know when I should because I don’t want it to conflict with my SAT retake and also subject tests. </p>

<p>Yes, I am in the first class who does not need to take the subject tests, but of course I will be taking them anyway. I’m thinking:</p>

<p>I’ve already taken the Sat II for my foreign language (Chinese) and didn’t do so poorly for someone who learned it at school.
May: Chemistry, Math II, perhaps English
June: retake SAT
ACT?</p>

<p>I’m not sure whether or not I should take the Literature English subject test this year or the beginning of my senior year…I was thinking about retaking the SAT senior year also. And I’m not sure when to fit in the ACT…I need advice on this. </p>

<p>I am hoping that I can get my SAT score way up…I actually only took it once without studying at all and ended up with a 2040…so I’m pretty sure I can raise it by studying.</p>

<p>Thank you MarinebioSax for chancing the schools I had listed, I really appreciate that. I really would love to go to UCLA although it really does seem like a reach for me. USC is not bad either but so, so, SO expensive…I’m not sure if my parents are willing to pay for it (I would not be living on campus). </p>

<p>QUESTION ABOUT FINANCIAL AID: Does applying for financial aid really lower my chances of admission? Also, my family is from what is considered a fairly well-off area; however, we are by no means rich. Will it be very difficult for me to get financial aid because of where I’m from? Thank you!</p>

<p>Also, how do my extracurriculars look? I will probably also try to get an internship soon and probably do a lot of volunteering over the summer.</p>

<p>Additionally (sorry, I love writing and have a tendancy to write WAY too much :slight_smile: ), which of these schools would accept recommendation letters along with other supplementary material? I know I can get some that would really help me.</p>

<p>Thank you so much?</p>

5

<p>Well, I’ve seen URMs with <3.6 GPAs and <1800 SAT’s accepted to USC and I’ve seen URMs with >3.8 GPAs and >1900 SAT’s get rejected, so I guess it all comes down to your essays, ECs, and course rigor.
Being an underrepresented minority can only go so far.</p>

<p>If you took the SAT cold and got that score, then I’m assuming your next score will be somewhat higher after preparation. :)</p>

<p>Applying for financial aid doesn’t lower your chances.</p>

<p>The only school on your list that will accept recommendations is USC.</p>

<p>Also, you could try studying for the ACT and taking it in the fall.</p>

<p>Your EC’s look fine, but not outstanding. An internship would definitely benefit you.</p>

<p>You’re very welcome!</p>

6

<p>Thank you for your help!</p>

<p>I’m really hoping for an internship, but what would be some other good EC’s to have?</p>

<p>I’ve also been researching UCI and I hope that I have a pretty shot at getting in, I would definitely like to attend if I didn’t get into my top choices.</p>

7

<p>There’s not much you can do now haha, except summertime volunteering and interning. Your trip abroad would make a good essay, though.</p>

8

<p>Another opinion would be much appreciated.</p>

9

<p>Anyone else?</p>