<p>I'm from California, and I'm applying to east coast LACs and UCs. I can only attend a private if I get sufficient financial aid. Before I get my hopes up and spend immense hours slaving over my essays, I'd just like to know if I have enough of a shot to put in all that energy.
Here goes.</p>
<p>I moved to CA when I was in 3rd grade from Ukraine. English is my third language, after Ukrainian and Russian. I still speak Russian at home. I'm a white female. </p>
<p>I attend an extremely competitive public school in the Bay Area. It is in the top 100 schools in the country. The curriculum is much more difficult than your average school, and being white, I at times feel alone in my Asian-dominated AP and Honors classes. (Nothing wrong with it, just saying that when being white makes you a minority, it's funny.)</p>
<p>SAT: 2160 <a href="I%20know,%20my%20CR%20is%20low,%20I%20will%20be%20taking%20the%20ACT">680 CR, 730 M, 750 W</a>
SAT II's: I am taking these in October. From my practice tests, I can safely say i will break 750 in Chem and get around 700-730 in Literature.</p>
<p>GPA: how can I put this...well, I don't actually know. I know this sounds terrible, but I don't actually know how my school will calculate my GPA. I don't know whether pluses or minuses will raise or lower it, I don't know if freshman grades will count. So I will just give you my grades from all 3 years so far.</p>
<p>Eight grade, I took courses which let me skip high school courses
Algebra 1: A / A
French 1: A / A+</p>
<p>Freshman Year
Health/DrEd: A- / A-
Biology: B+ / A
English 9: A- / A
French 2: A- / B+
Geometry: A- / A-
Journalism 1: A- / A-</p>
<p>Sophomore Year
Algebra 2 H: B+ / B+
Chemistry H: A- / B
English 10: A- / A
French 3: A / A-
Journalism 2-Newspaper: A- / A-
World History: A / A-</p>
<p>Junior Year
Chemistry AP: A- / B-
English 11 H: A- / A-
French 4 H: A- / A-
Journalism 3 Newspaper: A / A
TrigPreCalc H: B / B-
US HistoryAP: B+ / A-</p>
<p>This summer, after junior year I took 2 classes at my community college
Biology: A
Psychology: A</p>
<p>My senior schedule is looking like this:
Calculus AB AP
Psychics
AP Literature
French 5 AP
Drama 4 H
Journalism 4 H Newspaper
Gov/Econ</p>
<p>and I'll be taking "Introduction to Abnormal Psychology" @ community college.</p>
<p>Next semester, I'll take a "Women's Psychology" class online @ community college</p>
<p>My grades aren't perfect. I know that. That's why I'm asking to be chanced in the first place.</p>
<p>Now, I believe Extra Curriculars and Volunteering is up next.
Key Club for 2 Years
CSF [California Scholarship Federation, community service club, have to have certain GPA to be in it] all 4 years, I was Newsetter Editor 2 years, now I am President.
NHS 2 years
I am volunteering for a Therapist who lives in my area. I have 22 hours so far, but that number is growing exponentially.
I am also volunteering for this company based in Russia [very humanitarian, world-friendly type business plan] by translating documents for them.
In total, I'll have 100-200 volunteer hours
I have been in Newspaper all these years.
Last year, I was Entertainment Editor. My senior year, I am to be
Opinion Editor, which is one of the largest sections.
I am also on staff of a local youth-run magazine, and I am the
editor for the "Read" section [book reviews and recommendations, etc]
I started doing drama productions Junior year. I was in Romeo and Juliet, Grease,
and a Student-Produced Children's Show. Next year, I am getting placed into
Drama 4 Honors, not having taken Drama before. I will be in the fall play
next year, and perhaps the musical as well.
As you can probably tell, one of my majors will be Psychology. I find it
absolutely fascinating, and I am showing my commitment to it with my Psych
classes [already took one, got an A, will take 2 more] and volunteering which
relates to my field. My other major passion is writing. It is my main skill, and I
have a very interesting take on my Common App essay, so that won't be a
problem. I write a lot of short stories and poetry. I recently submitted a
poem and an essay into a contest, so we'll see if anything comes of that.</p>
<p>Okay this is a pathetically long post. If anyone replies, he or she will be my hero.</p>