Where can I go?

College Search & Selection
1

Hello! I’m an upcoming senior planning to major in Bioengineering. I currently live in Southern California and am hoping to get accepted in a university in that area. However, anywhere in the country works.

Weighted GPA (with freshman year): 3.9285
Weighted GPA (without freshman year): 3.8928

Unweighted GPA (with freshman year): 3.6833
Unweighted GPA (without freshman year): 3.5250

ACT: 31
SAT: 1390

Clubs in as a member: NHS, CSF, Math Club, Sciences Club, Art Club, SkillsUSA, Idea Magazine
Clubs in as an officer: Sciences Club (Secretary, PR), Art Club (Web Coordinator), Idea Magazine (Secretary)

Volunteers at the local farmer market
Part of a high school group at church that plans events
Started a website with my friend

Honors/AP classes:
Freshman Year: English Honors (A/A), Accelerated Math (A/A)***
Sophomore Year: English Honors (B/A), Accelerated Math (A/A), Chemistry Honors (A/B)
Junior Year: Accelerated Math (B/B), AP Chemistry (C/C), AP Physics (B/C)
***I did take Biology. I got A’s both semesters

Unique Classes:
Drawing/Painting (A/A), Web Design (A/A), Engineering and Technology 101 (A; this is a college class), Culinary (A/A), 3 years of Spanish (all A’s)

What colleges can I get accepted into? What colleges would you recommend? Would you suggest a different major within the STEM field? I am really concerned about my C’s. I understand that they do affect my chances of getting accepted somewhere, but I did try my best and this is where I am now. Any feedback would be greatly appreciated.

2

Lots no options - start with UCs

3

I wonder if the OP’s GPA is high enough for UCs — someone with California experience coukd probably say. What is your financial situation?

4

I’m getting financial aid.

5

You seem to have a good amount of achievements completed! This is a big stand point for other applicants who are not as competitive as you. You have a good GPA and a good amount of extra things outside of school. Check schools that have the same GPA average acceptance rate and see who they are looking for to be in their school. This would be a great way to see which college suits you most!

6

I answered your other thread, but if you are targeting the UC’s for BioEngineering, your GPA is a bit on the low side. I would look at the Mid-tier UC’s such as UC Davis, Santa Barbara, Irvine along with Santa Cruz and Riverside. Also look at the Cal State Long Beach and San Jose State. San Diego State has Mechanical Engineering with a Bioengineering emphasis.
Some privates to consider would be Santa Clara and University of Pacific.

7

At 3.5 unweighted, the mid-tier UCs will be a reach as well, as it probably translates to around a 3.80 UC capped GPA and your odds for mid-tiers are <20%.

8

A 3.5 UW GPA, depending upon how many AP/Honors classes are weighted, your UC capped weighted would be in the 3.8-3.9 range.

Freshman admit rates for UC GPA of 3.80-4.19 (capped weighted) and not major specific so Bioengineering due to the competitiveness would have lower admit rates so you are looking a High Match-Low Reach for UCD/UCI and UCSB although your EC’s, tests and essays could give you a bump. Make sure you find 1-2 safety schools first than build your list from there.

UCB: 12.6%
UCLA: 11.7%
UCSD: 38.7%
UCSB: 53.6%
UCD: 56.5%
UCI: 52.1%
UCSC: 75.7%
UCR: 90.1%
UCM: 96.1%

9

@crimsonowl: the fact you need financial aid doesn’t mean you’ll get financial aid, alas. Few universities “meet need”.
Run the NPCs and bring the results to your parents.
Look into University of the Pacific.
Oregon State may have scholarships to bring costs down run the NPC and check out the honors college. Same thing for Oregon Tech.