What colleges do you think I am qualified for?

Chance Me / Match Me!
1

<p>First off, it would bring me great happiness if you could actually spare your time to read this, and help me out, and appreciate you coming here. :)</p>

<p>ABOUT ME:</p>

<p>I am an Indian boy, speak Tamil and English fluently, and my family used to be 1st generation immigrants. (Now we are citizens..) I am from a higher end middle class family 100K+ income, and currently reside in California.
I would like to know what college I would qualify for, as I am a junior now, going to be a senior when summer is over. I need to start applying to colleges some time soon.</p>

<p>I love playing video games, and basketball. I cut from the team shortly after being allowed to practice with the team :(, but I continued to play in local tournaments, etc, such as The Park and Rec. tournaments.</p>

<p>My interests lie in the business management/retail side, with a minor in maybe computer science, and would like to especially go to the Ivy League colleges, Stanford, MIT, Caltech, UC Berkeley, UCLA, or other very highly ranked colleges.</p>

<p>GRADES:</p>

<p>8th grade---This grade's unweighted & weighted GPA: 4.0
(these credits from 8th grade carried over into high school... that's how my school works...)
(Both semesters)
Algebra 1---A
Spanish 1---A</p>

<p>9th grade---This grade's unweighted & weighted GPA: 4.0
(Both semesters)
English 9H---A
Geometry---A
Spanish 2---A
CP Science 9---A
PE 9---A
1/2 semester of Computer Apps---A
1/2 semester of Health Science---A</p>

<p>10th grade---This grade's unweighted GPA: 4.0 & weighted GPA: 4.33
(Both semesters)
English 10H---A
CP Biology---A
Spanish 3H*---A
PE---A
AP World History---A
Algebra 2/Trig---A</p>

<p>*Spanish 3H counts as a 5.0 class in my school because of its difficulty</p>

<p>11th grade---This grade's unweighted GPA: 4.0 & weighted GPA: 5.0
(Both semesters)
AP English Language & Composition---A
AP Computer Science A---A
AP Calculus AB---A
AP US History---A
AP Chemistry---A
AP Studio Art Drawing and Painting---A</p>

<p>12th grade---We are only allowed 4 AP classes in 12th grade for some odd reason
AP Government & Econ
AP Calc BC
AP Literature & Composition
AP Physics A
(insert 2 random classes):
1. Computer Programming
2. A class wherein you get to work as an intern and get school credit for it</p>

<p>Academic GPA (excluding PE's GPA): 4.50
Total GPA (including PE's impact on GPA): 4.44
Total unweighted GPA: 4.0
10 & 11th grade GPA with PE: 4.67
10th & 11th grade GPA w/o PE: 4.73</p>

<p>STANDARDIZED TESTING SCORES: </p>

<p>SAT Reasoning Test: 2090--going to retake for better score in September
ACT--taking in a week
SAT Subject Tests:(Just retook both and did us history on top of it, and am feeling 750 on each of them)
--Math Level 2: 740
--Chemistry: 670
PSAT- 211 (got a commendation letter for NMSQT)
Scored high on the CST testing (state testing), so got letter saying that UC and Cal State colleges will get to see my transcript early or something. I just know that it is sort of good...</p>

<p>AP test scores:
AP World History---4
AP US History---Getting score report soon
AP Computer Science A---Getting score report soon
AP Chemistry---Getting score report soon
AP Literature and Composition---Getting score report soon
AP Calculus AB---Getting score report soon</p>

<p>EXTRA CURRICULAR ACTIVITIES:</p>

<p>Tae Kwon Do 2nd Degree Black Belt, did it for five plus years, and stopped at the end of 9th grade
---Won 2 gold medals, one in sparring and another in forms in the summer between 8th and 9th grade
---Won Student of the Year Trophy in Tae Kwon Do in Winter of 9th grade</p>

<p>Been a member of Key Club for all 3 years in a row now
Been a member of Interact Rotary Club 2 years in a row, and got a certificate of distinction in sophomore year
Secretary of Science Club in Junior Year
Member of JSA (Junior Statesmen of America) in junior year & won election for president in senior year
Co-founder of Rubik's cube club</p>

<p>About 150 to 200 hours of community service at the local senior center for the elderly
Interned for cold-calling under a real-estate agent, who basically taught me the ins and outs of that--this is important for me because I am into business, retail/management, whichever, so it gives me slight exposure
---Did this from beginning of 11th grade, and am going to start getting paid this summer and on</p>

<p>2 Local Basketball Tournaments
---Lost in Semi Finals in the Park and Rec. one
---Lost in Finals in the Boys and Girls Club one</p>

<p>Signed up for an internship in programming over this summer break, and am almost guaranteed to get in.</p>

<p>CONCLUSION:</p>

<p>This took me a great deal of time to write, and each opinion will be regarded with the utmost importance, and (have I mentioned this already) I would really really really appreciate any response. I would like to know which colleges would be a reach, and which wouldn't. Thanks!</p>

2

<p>btw im class rank 6/515, and 10-12th rank:5/515
i dont know the difference lol</p>

3

<p>i know its been a while since this was posted, so im going to bump it, and would really appreciate a reply. thanks!!</p>

4

<p>If you can update your scores, that would help us chance you better. </p>

5

<p>Answer some questions and you will get some answers

  1. Do you want to stay in California or out of state?
  2. Intended Major
  3. New ACT score?
  4. How much can you and your family afford? EFC?? </p>
6

<p>Your GPA is fantastic but schools will also look at SAT (specially Math & Reading) and/or ACT scores. </p>

7

<p>UPDATE! PLEASE LOOK BELOW!</p>

<p>First off, thanks for the replies, and here are the main updates:</p>

<p>Choice of schools: Hope to stay in California, so aiming at all the UC schools(mainly UCLA or Berkeley though), but also looking at Stanford, and any of the ivies, preferably Cornell, UPenn(Wharton), or Dartmouth. Also, I’m open to any other suggestions of schools that I would have a decent shot at. </p>

<p>Intended major: leaning towards mechanical engineering, computer science, or economics (bachelor of science, not arts because some schools have an option for arts in economics.)</p>

<p>ACT: 31 composite (34 English, 35 Math, 30 Reading, 25 Science, 10/12 essay)… going to retake in september, and practiced on science this time around lol. hoping to get 33 easily.</p>

<p>Subject Tests: 740 Math again, 730 Chem this time, and 670 US history… quite disappointed but not willing to retake these…</p>

<p>AP Scores: Here are the updated ones: AP US History(4)
AP Computer Science A(3)
AP Chemistry(4)
AP Literature and Composition(3)
AP Calculus AB(5)</p>

<p>Sports!!!?: I forgot to add that I played club cricket against other youth teams in SoCal in 9th grade.</p>

<p>Internship: I got it, and worked for 128 hours altogether this summer, and am going to get letters of rec from the directors of marketing there. It was an aeronautical engineering place, and is world-renowned. </p>

<p>Family income bracket: 150K + so I do not qualify for much, if not any, financial aid. My parents plan on paying all my college expenses, including dorms, but I will also get a job somehow and try to help pay.</p>

8

<p>Have you started applying for jobs? View the class profiles. An AP score of 3 will not place you out of any classes except for at UCLA and Berkeley. </p>

<p>UCLA class profile: <a href=“http://www.admissions.ucla.edu/prospect/adm_fr/Frosh_Prof14.htm”>http://www.admissions.ucla.edu/prospect/adm_fr/Frosh_Prof14.htm&lt;/a&gt;
Berkeley class profile: <a href=“Student Profile - Office of Undergraduate Admissions”>http://admissions.berkeley.edu/studentprofile&lt;/a&gt;
Stanford class profile: <a href=“Page Not Found : Stanford University”>Page Not Found : Stanford University;
Cornell: <a href=“http://irp.dpb.cornell.edu/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/Profile2013-Freshmen.pdf”>http://irp.dpb.cornell.edu/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/Profile2013-Freshmen.pdf&lt;/a&gt;
UPenn (can’t find a specific one for wharton): <a href=“http://www.admissions.upenn.edu/apply/incoming-class-profile”>http://www.admissions.upenn.edu/apply/incoming-class-profile&lt;/a&gt;
Dartmouth common data set [look at C7(page 8) and C9 (page 10)]: <a href=“http://www.dartmouth.edu/~oir/pdfs/cds2013-2014.pdf”>This Page Has Moved;

9

<p>I think you have a very good chance with the UCs (including UCLA and Berkeley!). You mentioned you like Stanford- that would be a reach simply because it is Stanford. The same goes for UPenn Wharton (Wharton is Wharton), and also, to a lesser extent, for Dartmouth and Cornell. You might also want to check out CalTech and Harvey Mudd (both very good schools if you are interested in tech). I am speaking to you as a peer and not a parent, guidance counsellor, or admissions ninja, so please take my advice with a grain of salt.</p>

10

<p>For highly ranked colleges you need to get either your ACT up, or your SAT math & reading up, whichever one you are retaking.
Do a lot of practice tests.
Also, work on your essay and have a native english speaker critique it for you. Your original post showed a tendency towards excessive formality that might come across as stilted.
Be sure to apply to some safety colleges.
Look beyond the big names for colleges that are highly ranked in Business & CS , since that is what you want to pursue.</p>

<p>Good luck!</p>

11

<p>Hi Goat,
You have worked hard. My S is a senior and has almost the same grades and tests, so I’m going off some experience that we have. Everyone applying to those “top” schools has similar numbers. UCLA is probably a good chance. Berkeley, maybe too. I think you will be qualified for Ivy’s but no way you can rely on those! </p>

<pre><code>What sets you apart is that you have gotten employment in the fields in which you are interested. It proves you are serious and inquisitive. Many students don’t have jobs at all. Play this up.
Also, work hard at doing your best in the October SAT’s. The average at the schools you like is around 2200. I don’t know what it is about the science part of the ACT - often kids who are good at science do poorly at it. I think because it is not really “science” but mostly reading comprehension with charts and graphs. It really frustrated my son, who loves his AP Chem and Physics classes the most.

The previous posters offered good advice. Look at a list of the top 100 Business Schools, don’t just apply to colleges because it seems they are prestigious. There are hundreds of great colleges in this country.
</code></pre>

<p>Look at the Pomona Colleges and USC. Very bright students there. Out of state - Washington St L, U Chicago, Duke, Rice, Emory, Michigan, Northwestern, etc.</p>

<p>Apply to some schools where you will get merit aid, since you may not qualify for gift aid. Even though your parents have a solid income, it is a serious burden to pay $60,000 out of $150,000 just for college.
Keep up the good work!</p>

12

<p>Disclaimer- I have no idea what I’m talking about.</p>

<p>That said, the 4.0 unweighted is going to be fantastic. So is the business experience. You’re going to want to retake that ACT with plenty of practice beforehand, just so you can get the scores as impressive as the rest of your resume. Ivies and Stanford, then, would be a bit of a reach. Not impossible, but probably leaning heavily on your essays and work experience. Berkeley I’d call a high match, and UCLA should be pretty doable. Keep working hard and you’ll be fine.</p>

13

<p>UCLA seems like a lock. Berkley is also probably a lock. The only thing is your standardized test scores. if you can get a 34/35 on the ACT, you’ll have a great shot at Stanford. </p>

14

<p>Thanks so much for the feedback everyone! I’m planning on getting at least a 33 ACT, and hoping for a 34. Also am retaking the sat, and hoping to get a 2200+ on it, but we shall see! Also, I will definitely look into other great schools like Washington Univ-St. Louis, UChicago, Duke, Rice, Northwestern, etc. I just wanted to know my chance as my most preferred schools, the UCs, as I am in California and love the weather and social setting, and the Ivies, along with other top tier schools. </p>

15

<p>I read through everything, and your GPA is excellent, and I think it is really good that you got a 211 on the PSAT. That is going to help you a lot in college admissions. Also, your SAT II scores are high enough for selective schools (math and chem) but not the US History one. Don’t submit that one, just the ones in the 700s.</p>

<p>The classes that you have taken are good. I see you took AP classes, and got all A’s, which is always impressive. However, your AP scores (4, 4, 3, 3, and 5) are alright. Ivies and Stanford are looking for 5’s only, and a 4 is good as well, but 5 is much more impressive. You got two 3’s, which wouldn’t look good to a top-tier admissions officer (especially for a science school), because the AP exams demonstrate how well you’ve mastered the material. It might hurt you.</p>

<p>Your SAT score of 2090 is too low for the selective schools. Your ACT composite score (31) is good, but you need to get that science score (25) up. If you can do that, then you would look a lot better on paper.</p>

<p>Being from California might help if you’re applying to far-away schools. Colleges always love geographic diversity. Your Indian ethnicity is a little over-represented on college campuses, and it might not help you gain admission to certain schools. It won’t stop you from getting accepted at all, but selective schools want diversity too.</p>

<p>As for extracurriculars, I think that they’re absolutely incredible. The fact that you’ve interned with a real estate agent (and others) is quite impressive. Were you paid? It’s always impressive to colleges that you have a real job, so that’s good. By interning and working, you are showing genuine interest in your career choice. And you have awards in Tae Kwon Do! That’s unusual and cool. Also emphasize the fact that you founded a club. That demonstrates leadership. It’s cool that you do basketball tournaments, too. Make sure to talk about that.</p>

16

<p>Like the person above me said, emphasize that you cofounded a club! That will look great on the extracurricular part of your application. Don’t mention the AP tests you got 3’s on; if anything it will hurt you in the admissions process. As for your ACT the science section scores are strongly correlated with reading scores based on the fact that the science test is basically a reading comprehension test with science as the subject. If you study hard you could probably bring science to a 30 and get a composite of 32. I was able to raise my science up to a 35 from a 28 so it is possible. As of now your UC schools are match to high matches, Stanford is a high reach, Wharton is a reach to high reach, and Cornell and Dartmouth are low reaches to regular reaches. Good luck!
Chance me back?
<a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/what-my-chances/1676995-will-chance-back-wash-u-upenn-umich-uchicago-carnegie-rice-case-western-unl.html#latest”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/what-my-chances/1676995-will-chance-back-wash-u-upenn-umich-uchicago-carnegie-rice-case-western-unl.html#latest&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

17

<p>My only advice to you would be to hit those tests hard. Study and practice for the next few months and you will see the score increase. You have a great GPA and decent extracurriculars, but your test scores are holding you back. Take those SAT II’s again and try to get 800’s to increase your chances for the ivies. Other than your test scores, I’d say that you are a match for Berkeley and UCLA and close to being competitive for ivies if you can raise the scores.</p>

18

<p>My only advice to you would be to hit those tests hard. Study and practice for the next few months and you will see the score increase. You have a great GPA and decent extracurriculars, but your test scores are holding you back. Take those SAT II’s again and try to get 800’s to increase your chances for the ivies. Other than your test scores, I’d say that you are a match for Berkeley and UCLA and close to being competitive for ivies if you can raise the scores.</p>