<p>GPA: 3.4 UW 3.6 W
6 AP Classes ( 3 junior, 3 senior ) 2 Honors
ACT: 31
SAT Subject: Literature 800 Bio 710 Spanish 780
AP Scores 4 AP Environmental 3 AP English Lang
Hooks: URM ( Mexican ) 1st Generation
EC: Senior Class Vice President
Rank: Bottom Half ( i know, super terrible )
Zoo Crew President ( Pep Rallies )
Stage Manager for Drama Production
Winter Formal Chair Member.
Director of Fundraising for Graphic Design Club
Director of Assemblies ASB
I know my GPA is terrible but do i stand a chance at all? I had a huge upward trend from a 2.5 Freshman year to a 4.1 Senior year. Low income and from a bad neighborhood. Looking for a school that meets most demonstrated need. Im from California but looking to go out of state. Which schools do you guys recommend?</p>
<p>UCs and CSUs have good financial aid for California residents, and they do not include 9th grade course grades in GPA calculations (so your GPA for them will be better with the 2.5 9th grade GPA not included). Did you apply to them, including less selective ones for safeties?</p>
<p>I did apply to some UC’s and CSU’s and im hoping to get into UC Davis but i want some out of state schools too.</p>
<p>Can your parents contribute anything, or will you have to self-fund all of the costs?</p>
<p>Your stretch limit for self-funding is probably around $10,000 from federal direct loan (up to $5,500) plus some work earnings, or $15,000 if you get full Pell grant (about $5,700). But lower is better.</p>
<p>However, out-of-state public schools tend not to give good financial aid, and private schools with good financial aid tend to be difficult admits with a 3.4 GPA. But some schools have large merit scholarships; <a href=“http://automaticfulltuition.yolasite.com/”>http://automaticfulltuition.yolasite.com/</a> indicates that Alabama State, Arkansas - Monticello, Howard, Louisiana - Monroe, and Prairie View A&M may be affordable after their automatic-for-your-stats scholarships. <a href=“Links to Popular Threads on Scholarships and Lower-Cost Colleges - Financial Aid and Scholarships - College Confidential Forums”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/financial-aid-scholarships/1678964-links-to-popular-threads-on-scholarships-and-lower-cost-colleges.html</a> may have other possibilities, including competitive large merit scholarship schools.</p>
<p>Did you go to a special magnet school? I think any school where an unweighted 3.4 places you below the 50th-percentile must be pretty competitive. My son had a similar unweighted GPA and ACT score, with a higher UC-weighted GPA. He got into Davis from out-of-state. Try some of the “Colleges That Save Lives.” If you want larger colleges, Temple might offer you a decent merit package. Some of the less-prestigious public universities (e.g. Kansas, Iowa, Kentucky, W. VA, Montana, NM, et al might also have attractive financial packages). I’d be inclined to explore Eastern schools, and some smaller colleges, where Mexican-American students remain seriously underrepresented. Public colleges in CA and TX are prohibited from considering race or ethnicity in admissions, but other places may.</p>
<p>You could look into universities where high stats and your Mexican American status would be highly desirable. For colleges with strong science academics, check out St Olaf (less selective but still likely very interested in your profile: Gustavus Adolphus, Lawrence); for a larger school experience where still you’d be likely offered preferential packaging, check out Butler, Illinois Wesleyan, or Creighton; harder to get into: RPI, Case Western Reserve, Grinnell (three very different experiences; Grinnell meets 100% need for all admitted students). </p>
<p>Make sure you apply to the UCs and CSUs which should be affordable for you. Are you from a low income or middle income family? If you are from a low income family you can do a wiki search for colleges that meet full need. Unfortunately because they meet need they are all highly competitive.</p>