<p>I'm going to say in advance that I am sorry for the long story</p>
<p>So I am at the end of 11th grade and I desperately need some advice. My GPA 1st semester was 2.6 which is my worse ever. My overall GPA is a 2.8 which isn't good I know. My 2nd semester is coming soon and it's that great either but I don't know for sure because it's not baked. However I do have a back story. My family has been having a financial difficulty lately I don't want to get into details but one time I didn't have internet for 3 months and I didn't have water for day or two. It's getting better thankfully. But my parents don't want me to mention that on my college app because they feel that it wasn't much of a struggle and that it is shameful to put that on their compared to what other people have gone through. In way they a right I could have done way better in school but that ever lasting worrying was within me for a really long time. I also went through some social troubles during Jr. High and some of high school. Which almost costed me my life (my parents don't know about that). </p>
<p>I do have some good things about me though. I volunteer in my mosque for about 8-12 hours a week since I was in 7th grade (I'm thinking about slowing down senior year though), I was involved in a non-profit tech club in my hometown since 8th grade, and I have been studying Muslim culture and history for 12 years (a little bias I know). </p>
<p>This summer I plan to change though. I am going to start writing essays and get them graded by other people in order to improve my writing skills, I am going to study for my SAT test, I am working on a non profit tech project (I don't want tell anyone about it in case it gets leaked but it will directly benefit my school), and I am going to be a photographer at a camp for young kids for the second time in a row. I have also signed up for 4 AP classes (I only took one this year) and joining Cross Country (maybe I will see how things go). I have calculated if I get a 4.0 my 1st semester of senior year I will get a 3.33-4 overall GPA and by second semester a 3.6-7. </p>
<p>My dream schools for college is:</p>
<p>University of Washington (in state)
University of Illinois Urbana
Georgia Tech
University of Texas Austin
University of California LA
University of California San Diego
University of Southern California (a reach maybe)
Washington State University </p>
<p>I wouldn't mind going to community college so that I can save some money and get into a better school but my parents don't approve. Does anyone think I can make it into these schools? </p>
<p>Thanks for reading this much I really appreciate it! </p>
<p>I think even the in-state schools will be a reach, but they are good schools (Washington and Wash State) and you should aim to get into them. The California schools will be way too expensive, as will most public OOS. Do the best you can.</p>
<p>Agreed- Wash and Wash State are really your best, and perhaps only, reasonable options on that list…add some safety schools just in case and then, if you really do get a 4.0 and do really really well on your SAT or ACT, you can add in a reach or two. But, as of now, those other schools on your list may just set you up for disappointment. Good luck to you! It is commendable that you have set yourself some great goals!</p>
<p>Out of state applicants for the UC’s require a minimum GPA of 3.4 to apply and you will receive very little financial aid. Price tag for the UC’s is around $53-55K. You did not post your SAT/ACT scores and even if you make the GPA cutoff, you may only have a chance at UC Riverside or Merced. Your best choices would be in-state schools.</p>
<p>I don’t understand how you would pay the full price out of state fees for schools that you put on your list? Because of that problem you need to remove all the oos publics from your list. If you got into USC you would get your ‘need’ met, but that seems very unlikely. Add more washington state options.</p>
<p>Now, I advise you not to take 4 ap classes with your track record. Just take 2 and do well. </p>
<p>Does your GC know you have problems at home and lack of internet? This is info you should be sharing so they can mention it in the letter they write, that will be most helpful to you. I can’t imagine what situation where you don’t have water to drink. If something like this happens again you need to inform school authorities immediately. It isn’t any of your parents business what you put on your applications. Keep them private and don’t give your password.</p>
<p>Thank you to everyone who is helping me. You bring me great advice and I really appreciate. My SAT score is 1920 which is not bad. I will be taking the ACT at the begging of senior year. Thanks again!</p>
<p>You should talk to your GC about your home issues and how it affected your grades. They may put something in their recommendation, and your parents will never know. Not sure I would mention middle school, that just is too long ago to be any kind of excuse for issues now. Only the Washington schools on your list make any sense financially or academically for you, IMHO. I am not familiar with other public schools in Washington, but you should add a couple of the ‘directional’ type schools to your list to make sure you get in somewhere. Although I don’t think community college would be a bad route for you – your parents may not have a choice if you don’t get any acceptances you can afford.</p>