Please suggest colleges in/around California- 3.2 GPA - Page 4

ReadyToRoll · 11-06-2009, 07:34 AM

Wow...Is UC one of the few public schools that requires you to take the SAT IIs?

mom2collegekids · 11-06-2009, 08:27 AM

^^^

Most publics don't require SAT IIs

However, I think the UCs are considering dropping the SAT II req'ts because supposedly it gives an advantage to the richer kids who can take tests multiple times, take practice classes, etc. Plus, I don't think it's really telling them anything unique - especially when kids have taken the AP tests in the same subjects.

FindAPlace · 11-06-2009, 09:13 AM

The UC system officially voted to drop the SAT II requirement, beginning with the HS class of 2011.

elizabethh · 11-06-2009, 10:12 AM

2Leashes - the CSUs have strongly encouraged applying as early as possible. They are expecting an overwhelming number of applicants due to economic difficulties (staying in-state is truly a bargain), and from what I understand, when comparing 2 applicants who are neck-in-neck, the one who applied earlier will get priority. If you are planning on sending your student to a CSU, be prepared for 5 - 6 years of tuition in an impacted major - which many are at the more popular schools. Its a crime what has happened to higher education in California.

campbellmom · 11-06-2009, 10:46 AM

Here's what I thought about deadlines and dates. CSU apps are 10/1-11/30. UC 11/1-11/30. SAT IIs are no longer required for UCs for the class of 2012. That's what I heard unless it was changed since then to 2011 (note post above).

If you go to Calstate.edu, it encourages applying early although stating this will not increase your chances. My son's e-mail from a CSU after he applied said they will review the apps in the order in which they were received. Maybe that does not give him an advantage over students who apply on 11/30, but maybe it does. We are not taking any chances and he sent the app in the first day or so. His desired CSU is impacted, whereas about half of them are not.

50isthenew40 · 11-06-2009, 12:25 PM

Your daughter is now a junior and is taking 4 AP classes? If she can do very well in those classes both semesters, her UC GPA will go up dramatically, and her class rank should go up quite a bit, too.
That would help her tremendously, not only at UCs, but also at private colleges with good merit aid.
Right now her GPA appears a little low relative to her SAT scores. I don't mean to imply that it's terrible, only that an admissions person would need to sort out why the grades are not quite as strong as the test scores lead them to expect. There may be a very good explanation for this that could be explained in her essays or in a counselor recommendation. (Or maybe she is at a high school that doesn't have the same grade inflation that ours does!!)
I would not want to put a lot of pressure on a kid with such a rigorous course load, but, if she is serious about a competitive UC, or getting merit scholarships, some real focus on improving that GPA could go a long way.

SDMomof3 · 11-06-2009, 12:54 PM

Quote:

The UC system officially voted to drop the SAT II requirement, beginning with the HS class of 2011.

Actually, I think its for Class of 2012. My son is graduating in 2011 and he still needs the SAT IIs for the UCs.

FindAPlace · 11-06-2009, 01:35 PM

Sorry if I misspoke about when the UC will drop the SAT II requirement. At least I recalled correctly that it was adopted. I should have looked up the date but in either case, it's irrelevant for class of 2010 applicants.

bumble · 11-06-2009, 01:47 PM

what about concordia university in irvine? or maybe uc riverside?

awesome sats btw.

mvmom11 · 11-06-2009, 08:42 PM

Yep. Working on improving that GPA... Thanks for all your comments. Probably it's a good idea to go out of state based on what I am reading here ..

I heard from another mom whose kid is a straight A student at a different high school (also a good one) and got denied at CalTech and Cal Poly SLO. Got in to Cal Poly Pomona. Pretty scary.

vballmom · 11-06-2009, 08:52 PM

My son got into Cal Poly SLO but wasn't a straight A student. Test scores count for a lot at Cal Poly, in combination with grades and relative demand for a given major. It's a great school with an easy application - no need to give up on it especially with the great SAT scores your daughter has.

bluebayou · 11-07-2009, 12:22 PM

UC has required Subject Tests since the dark ages, but back then they were called "Achievement Tests."

Quote:

it's irrelevant for class of 2010 applicants...

Note however, while the are dropping the minimal eligibility "requirement," subject tests are now optional and are (highly?) recommended for most unhooked candidates, IMO, and those applying to engineering programs.

50isthenew40 · 11-07-2009, 03:51 PM

A young man I know got into engineering at CalPoly SLO with high test scores and lower GPA than your daughter's. In fact, he told me that he got a D in Calculus in high school, but got a 5 on the AP test! He understood all the material, but never did the homework.

He is thriving at Cal Poly with all the hands-on type learning.

mvmom11 · 11-08-2009, 12:46 PM

Thanks for the encouragement but how long ago did these kids get into Cal Poly. I ask that because of the cuts the schools in California are experiencing.

mom60 · 11-08-2009, 01:20 PM

mvmom11- I have seen a wide range of scores and grades with Cal Poly SLO. I think a big factor for Cal Poly is the choice of major. The kids with lower stats have mainly been in the areas that are more humanities based.
Also something to consider is that the UC's and CSU's are basing their decisions on 10th and 11th grade grades. So depending on when 50isthe40's young man if the D in Calculus was senior yr Cal Poly did not see the D till after admission.