What would be some good schools for me?

Chance Me / Match Me!
1

<p>I'm a junior as many of you are, so background: I'm a first generation immigrant form Romania (I was born here), but my parents were raised there and speak English as a second language. I live in California.</p>

<p>For the real stuff:</p>

<p>I have about a 4.6 Weighted GPA at this point (4.8 this year with one B so far in APUSH) . </p>

<p>I've only taken one AP test, but for sophomores, that is all my school would allow; it was European History and I got a 5. This year I'm taking APUSH, Physics B, and English Language. and I'm the only junior doing double-science and taking easily the most rigorous classes of all the juniors in my class, though I'm tied for 3rd with a lot of kids. I go to a smallish high school that very rarely produces anyone of interest. Most go to community college, but a small handful have gone to Ivies, a few more to places like Berkeley, but the highest most reach are the UCs or CSUs. My GPA probably means nothing as my school doesn't offer much, but I'm doing what I can.</p>

<p>For my test scores I have a 2110 SAT (690M,750CR,670W) and I'm taking the SAT II for Physics, US History, and Math II on May 3rd.
I jut got my ACT back today and I got a 32 composite (32E, 30M, 33R, 33S, 30W) I admit I did no preparation for this test and I panicked during the math. If I had actually practiced, I think I could improve.</p>

<p>I want to be an engineer, and I know my math scores are horrible. I plan on retaking both and trying to improve those, but I am not sure what I can do. I'm afraid they're both going to hold me back significantly. </p>

<p>For Extracurriculars:</p>

<p>I have swam Varsity all three years and participated in CIF (Top 24 Individual times) as just one of three that qualified from my school in individual events as a sophomore. I started swimming for a club team this school year as well.
I have played water polo all three years as well and I was on Varsity for 2 of those years.
I am an Eagle Scout and have spent 9 years in Scouting having traveled to the National Jamboree
I have been a part of the academic league team at my school all three years
I serve as an acolyte at my church and have for about 3-4 years and I also a part of the Greek Orthodox Youth Association at our church and plan on running for a leadership position.
As for instruments, I only play the ukulele which I only just picked up this year and it's not a very interesting instrument or one that requires much talent.
I am a part of a club called Livin' It which is a religious club focused on balancing faith and schoolwork and life in general
I am currently in the process of establishing an Interact Club at my high school after having been a part of the RYLA leadership conference.</p>

<p>I can't think of much else, but this is me. As I said, I would like to be an engineer and I've been looking at schools like UCLA for such, but at this point I don't think I could get in? What are my chances, and what schools should I consider?</p>

<p>Thanks :)</p>

2

<p>don’t underestimate yourself! what’s your UW gpa?
if your UW is as good as your weighted suggests, UCLA should be a high match for you.
Other schools to look at include CMU, UIUC, Georgia Tech, UCB, and Cornell. </p>

3

<p>@hqureshi11‌ Really? I haven’t calculated my UW, but how would I? I’ve taken the maximum honors and AP classes available to me, but still not many. Do honors classes count as 4.0 like AP’s or does only honors chemistry count?
I’d also like to clarify, the B in APUSH is my only B in high school.</p>

<p>And thanks for the words of encouragement, Cal, CMU, and Cornell were actually some of my interests, and I’ve looked a little into UIUC and Georgia Tech before. My main worry for those schools would be money especially as an out-of-state, solidly middle-class kid with a sibling in college.</p>

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<p>It’s relatively simple once you get the hang of it.
Multiply the number of A’s by 4
B’s by 3
C’s by 2
F’s by 1
Add up your total and divide by the total number of credit classes. </p>

<p>So say, for example, you took 20 total classes
you have 19 A’s and 1 B
(19 x 4) + (1 x 3) = 79.
79/20= about a 3.96 unweighted GPA. </p>

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<p>@hqureshi11‌ I calculated, and yes I did get 3.96, but I’ve taken 30 semesters of classes so far and am finishing my last 6 now.</p>

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<p>In which case, I’d chance you as:
UCLA: Low reach
UCB: Low reach
CMU: Low reach
Cornell: Low reach</p>

<p>I’d work on getting the test scores up but other than that, you have a pretty strong application. </p>

7

<p>@hqureshi11‌ I believe I will be retaking one of the tests in June and I plan on prepping a lot more for the math so we will see how I do then I guess. Thanks for your help. :)</p>

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<p>bump</p>

9

<p>While most colleges do want your unweighted GPA, you need to calculate your UC GPA for UC colleges like you have mentioned. I am not from California so don’t know where a specific link would be to that, but I am guessing that UCLA’s admission website probably has a link.</p>