What Universities should I consider applying to?

Chance Me / Match Me!
1

<p>Hi, I'm new to this site and want some real information. I'm currently a high school senior, attending Clark Magnet High School in California. It's a California Distinguished School, an award saved for the top high schools in California. The school currently has a 909 API score (based on standardized scores) out of 1000. In comparison, most other school's in my school district are at around an average of around high 700's. My principal has told us all the time that our school's high API is going to be an advantage for us when applying to University, but I'm not sure if it's really going to affect my chances.</p>

<p>My question for all of you, seeing as you guys are experienced in the entire college/university scene through study, research, and personal experience, is do I have a chance at getting into a good university in SoCal?</p>

<p>Here's my grades to elaborate on. (Please note that the grades next to each class represent the first and second semester grades, separated by the slashes, and also note that I take seven classes per semester due to our block schedule)</p>

<p>Freshmen year:
Physics: B/B
Computer Apps: B/B
Tech Lit (required class out our school due to school's focus on science and tech): A/B
Advanced English (not AP/honors, but advanced): B/B
Health: A/A
Physical Education: A/A
Geometry: B/B</p>

<p>Sophomore year (aka the worst year of my entire life)
Biology: A/C
Physical Education: B/A
History: B/B
English: B/B
Spanish 1-2: C/C
Algebra 2 honors (weighted): B/C
Cinematography: B/C (really got screwed this class. I got higher grades than my friend on all 3 projects which is all we did all year, and he got a B and I got a C. He didn't even do 2 of the 3 projects!)</p>

<p>Junior year
Chemistry: B/A
Pre Cal: B/A
Small Business: B/A
AP US History (weighted): B/B
AP English Lit & Comp (weighted): B/A
Spanish 3-4: C/B
Photography 1-2: B/B</p>

<p>Senior year schedule
AP English Lang & Comp
Essentials for Research
AP Statistics
AP Gov/2nd semester Econ (My school doesn't offer AP Econ sadly)
Photography 3-4</p>

<p>I was hoping to take AP Chem instead of Essentials for Research, but they didn't give it to me even though I received an A in the class and my Chem teacher who teaches AP Chemistry said I have a good chance of getting in and doing well in the class.</p>

<p>SAT score: 1800 overall (first try, most likely going to take it again)</p>

<p>Only EC's I can think of that might matter are community service hours, even though I don't know how many I will have by the end of the year, and that I am a columnist for a sports writing website. I will be doing lots of Community Service this year, hopefully get to above 100-150 hours.</p>

<p>I know my grades were horrible through the first 2 years of school, and that's mostly due to lack of effort on my part (not going to make excuses) and I know this sounds corny, but the reason I suddenly raised my grades all the way up during my junior year second semester was due to new found confidence from extreme weight loss (it did miracles for my self esteem and effort level) and I'm hoping to carry that over to my senior year. I wish I had this boost before hand, I know I have the potential to be a top 10% student in my class, I just wish I put in the effort before it was too late. I'm just hoping there's some way that I can somehow get into possibly a UC in my area Extreme pipe dream school is UCLA, and I'm talking about extreme. Other universities I'm applying for are UCSD, UCR, SDSU, Caly Poly Pomona, and CSUN (CSUN and UCR are basically my just to be safe schools). </p>

<p>I was wondering what my chances are for any of these schools, and I'm looking at all my opportunities. With times so hard, I really don't want to sign up for a CC, as I fear not getting classes. At the same time, I'm considering just going to a CC (or two or even three) to finish my classes and hopefully transfer out to UCLA, UCSD etc. if I don't get into any of the universities I listed, if moving out and paying for rent becomes a problem, or if the only school I get into is for example CSUN. My ultimate goal is to end up going to a med school. I also wanted to know if the university I attend affects my chances of getting into a med school like at UCLA. If so, I will definitely be going to CC and transferring if I only get into CSUN. If not, I wouldn't mind going to CSUN. All the help, info, suggestions and tips are much appreciated, and thank you for your time! I need any help I can find.</p>

2

<p>I don’t think you could get anywhere but a two-year school/community college with these grades. Sorry man, truth hurts.</p>

3

<p>The thing is UCR has a an 80% acceptance rate, and I checked online statistics that say for my GPA, SAT score, and # of AP courses taken, the acceptance goes as high as around 90%.</p>

4

<p>You might as well try to apply, there is nothing to lose</p>

5

<p>Ridiculous – you are hardly at the level of only having a chance for a community college. Focus on your applications and apply,</p>

6

<p>You’ve only managed to get straight As in health and gym. How tough are your classes? s:</p>

7

<p>Apply to different colleges in that case you have options to choose, your grade are not to shabby anyways and since your going to apply to different colleges I’ve red this website that totally might help you juice up your application much more [Personal</a> Statement Examples | Ivy Research](<a href=“http://ivyresearch.com%5DPersonal”>http://ivyresearch.com), hope it helps</p>

8

<p>You should still try to apply to these schools. It’s not just about the numbers–grades, test scores, etc. If you believe you can get in to the school you want, I don’t see a reason why you should not try.</p>

9

<p>Wait, are you implying that CC is not my only option? Sorry the way it was phrased kind of threw me off, just want to clarify.</p>

10

<p>I’m not going to make real excuses. Many people consider my high school to be Hell. Teachers put EXTREMELY high standards on us. Our school’s API is so high because of the standards. But for me, it never was really extremely challenging. The only time I really struggled majorly was my second semester of sophomore year. My Algebra 2 Honors teacher became pregnant, they brought in a permanent substitute with no teaching history, and it all went down from there. It affected my other classes, but again, I can’t make excuses. My bad showing in high school is all my fault. I know I could have met the high expectations when I put effort in, shown by my junior year second semester grades, but I never tried to. It was a huge mistake on my part that I’ve realized.</p>

11

<p>no harm in trying. just make sure you really highlight your competitive advantage on your admissions essay.</p>

12

<p>The university you attend is a factor in going to med school, but it is not only what admission comm will be looking at. There is still the MCAT, etc. But for now I think you should prioritize on focusing on your applications.</p>

13

<p>I am not so sure about your grades, especially with the universities you have mentioned. Although going first to CC and then transferring is a viable option.</p>