What colleges do I have a shot at?`

College Search & Selection
1

I’m a rising senior and I’m not really sure what types and levels of colleges I should be considering and if I’m even in the range of the colleges I’ve been looking at.
Here are my stats, feel free to ask if I miss anything:

Overall Weighted GPA: 4.15
Overall Unweighted GPA: 3.85
New SAT (October): 1450
AP’s: US History (5), Psychology (5), Spanish Language (5), English Language and Composition (5), Calculus AB (5), World History (3)

EC’s/Awards:
-Cello (5 years): advanced orchestra (11th Grade - first year that advanced class was offered at my school), pit orchestra for musical (9th grade), ASTA certificate of advancement program (level 5) (10th grade)
-Student Worker at school cafe 4 days a week (11th Grade)
-Worked in law office last summer, again this summer (paid) (10th-11th grade)
-Co-founder/Treasurer of a music club - playing music/singing at retirement homes (11th)
-1st place Junior Achievement Pitchfest - I was the CFO of the business (11th Grade)
-1st place Junior Achievement Company Program - CFO (11th Grade)
I’m also hoping to start other work/volunteering for Junior Achievement because I’m looking towards business in the future.
I feel like my EC’s are a bit weak so I’m trying to find another source of volunteering - it’s hard right now because I don’t have a reliable mode of transportation to get to a volunteering job consistently. Note - I’ve helped care for my grandmother with alzheimer’s ever since she was diagnosed when I was in elementary school, so advisors have told me I should add that to my application since i’ve spent a lot of my time with her and it has shaped my identity so much.

State: CA
Gender: Female
Ethnicity: Asian (I’m Filipino, but I don’t know if this makes any difference. Some people have told me to put Hispanic on my applications, but I don’t really think I have enough Hispanic blood to put it down???)
Income: Over 200k?

I live in Southern California, and I would like to go away for college hopefully, but I’m trying to look at a lot of different schools. I’ve been looking at University of Washington, UCI, Chapman, Loyola Marymount, and UT Austin in the west. On the east coast, I’ve been looking at BU, Villanova, Drexel, Penn State, NYU, Syracuse. I really don’t know what else to look at other than the ones I know on the west coast and northeast. I’m leaning towards business in the future, so a school with a good business school would be nice. Please give me any recommendations you have for other schools I should be looking at or if the schools I’ve been researching would be a good fit for me.

2

With your stats, you have a shot at any college! Definitely mention taking care of your grandmother in your app. I think that counts as an EC, so put it in the activities section of the Common App if you have space. Cello practice hours throughout the years are also something to include. Don’t sweat adding more volunteer hours at this point.

Don’t put down Hispanic if that means misrepresenting your ethnicity! A good rule of thumb is: If you’re above 1/4 of an ethnicity, it counts.

I think you’re well in range at the schools that you mentioned. I’m gonna take the liberty of saying that I think you’ll be a shoo-in at Chapman, Loyola, and Drexel. All of your schools look like great matches for you.

3

Just to make sure: Your parents are on-board in paying for OOS schools especially NYU where you will get little to no aid and will pay close to $70K/year to attend?

I would add UC Riverside in-state for Business and a good safety. Also consider Santa Clara.

4

Most of your schools seem like matches/safetys to me - it definitely seems like you’re looking within your range. Have you considered University of Virginia? I’ve heard it has a good undergrad business program, gets you far from California, and seems to fit your stats well. Might be worth looking at.

5

@newkidnewtrix Hey, thanks for the feedback! If you have any other college ideas or tips for me, let me know!

6

@Gumbymom My parents have constantly told me not to worry about the money aspect when choosing college. My grandparents have also made a college fund for me, so it won’t just be my parents with the burden. And honestly, I don’t even think I have the best shot at NYU, so I don’t think I’ll need to worry too much about that particular school. I will also definitely check out UC Riverside and Santa Clara. Thanks for the suggestions!

7

@Srabookworm Thanks for the idea! I never thought about UVA before because I don’t know much about Virginia, but I will look into it more. It sounds like a great school!

8

If you’re looking at city schools in the northeast for business, Northeastern would be worth a look as well. Very common school group with the others listed so a possible match in terms of fit. The co-op program is a primary focus as it is at Drexel.