What kind of expectations should I have?

Chance Me / Match Me!
1

<p>I just joined the forum and I've read the "How to improve the chances of chance threads" thread but this post might be a little different from others.</p>

<p>Where I am right now: Second semester of my junior year
Credits: 200 out of the 220 required to graduate. Should have enough to graduate by the start of my senior year.(Note, I was taking a couple of high school level classes in middle school and took PE during summer school to open up extra classes).
Weighted GPA (Total): 4.08
Weighted GPA (Acad. 10-12): 4.17
Non-weighted GPA (Total): 3.92
Non-weighted GPA (Acad. 10-12): 3.83
Class Rank: 7 out of 654
AP Classes: Sophomore Year I took AP Euro (Got a 5), This year I'm taking AP Lang, Calc, Bio, and US History. Next year I plan to take AP Gov, Econ, and Physics.
Honors Classes: Any non-AP class I've taken has been honors if it was available by the school.
SAT: 630 on all sections (1890 total) the first time. Just took it again today and I'm hoping/expecting for something over 2000 total.
SAT 2: Will take Biology, Math II, and US History in May.
Notes: The reasons my GPA isn't as high as it should be is because I got a B last year in both semesters of my elective! (Drafting). I also received a B last semester in English and probably will again this semester. I have taken 3 years of a foreign language (Spanish) and am about to finish up Drawing as a visual/performing arts class.</p>

<p>This is where it goes downhill</p>

<p>Extracurriculars: I was in CSF (California Scholarship Federation) for one year. I went to a couple of meetings and did one project (went door to door collecting canned food to donate). I didn't rejoin because the teacher in charge is a crazy racist. Other than that, not much. I've never been in any sports, drama productions, etc. I do eat lunch in the chess club room every day though if that counts :)</p>

<p>Community Service: I've only done a little over 20 hours in a youth court program for my city. I don't even know how accurately that's been recorded though.</p>

<p>Employment: I've never had a job. (Heck, I just turned 16 a few weeks ago and can't drive yet). I will try to get one this summer though.</p>

<p>Colleges I'm interested in/have sent SAT scores to:
UCLA
UCSD
UC Berkley
USC</p>

<p>The thing is, I'm not positive I'd have a remote chance getting into those schools. (If I do, please tell me :) ). The main thing I'm looking for in this thread is for you guys to tell me realistically, what kind of expectations should I have. Are the colleges I'm aiming for realistic? Should I aim higher? Lower? </p>

<p>Also, I'd appreciate it if you guys can offer me any advice to improve my EC's/community service if it's not too late already.</p>

2

<p>Hi,</p>

<p>I’m not a California resident, but from what I understand, the UCs put a lot more emphasis on grades and test scores than private colleges do. Your GPA is very high, but for schools like USC, UCLA, and Berkeley, you’re going to need higher test scores. However, your scores are right on par for UCSD, especially since you’re in-state.</p>

<p>Since you’re a junior, it’s not too late to improve your EC’s/community service. I would encourage you to really try and do some important EC or community service work this summer that shows you’re passionate about something. Doing so might also give you fuel for the essays you’re going to have to write.</p>

<p>Good luck!</p>

3

<p>You have time to up the SAT scores and I’d focus on doing that. Average at UCLA and Cal is about 2050 and may well go up this year given the increased popularity of state schools due to the economy. SD is a solid match and should happen unless you want a very competitive science major. For USC you also need higher scores for your best shot.</p>

<p>Your GPA/rank is great and I wouldn’t worry too much about the EC’s if you can get a 2100 and good SATII’s.</p>

4

<p>Thanks guys. I’m hoping and kind of expecting (unless I made a really big mistake which I think I may have) to have gotten over a 2000 on yesterday’s SAT. The first time I took it (1890) was with absolutely no preparation at all. In fact, I signed up for it an hour before the late registration deadline ended. This time, I studied for about 2 weeks on a Princeton Review book so I’m a little more confident. If I didn’t get the score I wanted, I’ll probably take it one more time and study for it a lot more. (Does it look bad if I take the test 3 times?)</p>

<p>Also, does anyone have any information about volunteering in a hospital? Does it count for community service hours? Would you get to chose how long you wanted to volunteer? (For example I’d like to do it for about 5 hours a day for a couple of weeks during the summer).</p>

5

<p>I know that this is frowned upon over here but … bump. lol</p>

6

<p>Updated with new information.</p>

<p>When I retook the SAT, I got a 1900. I will take it again in June and am studying a lot more. Hoping for a 2100.</p>

<p>I know it doesn’t matter but I’m expecting 2 5’s and 2 4’s on the AP tests I took this year.</p>

<p>On the SAT Subject Tests, I got a 770 on Math II, 760 on US History, and 710 on Biology.</p>

<p>I’m going to raise my extracurricular a bit as I volunteered and was accepted at a hospital for this summer. So I’ll probably get about 100 hours of community service done this summer.</p>