A Rocky Road..some advice?

shadowboi · March 9, 2009, 2:02am

I was suggested by a parent to repost this message in the parent forums…
i hope u guys can give my some quality advice

hi all. im not one of those supergenius with crazy 4.0+ gpa’s…neither do i have outstanding sat scores of 2000+…this is so because in my frshamn year i was diagnosed with leukemia…
against the circumstances i was still able to perservere

MY STATS
My 9th grade courses

Semester1:

Biology-C
Music App-A
Geometry-C
Spanish 1-B
PE-B
English-B

(2.83 gpa)

Semester2:

Biology-B
Health-B
Geometry-B
Spanish1-B
PE-B
English-C+

(2.83 gpa)

I couldnt really do very well academically because i was diagnosed with leukemia my freshman year.

I heard from everybody though that 9th grade doesnt really count and they dont even look at it for UC’s

10th grade courses

This year i was schooled at home while teachers from my school came to educate me because of my leukemic condition. I decided to turn my academic life around because i found hope and confidence in my battle of cancer in doing so.

Chemistry- A
Algebra 2-A
Writing Composition( Elective) - A
World History- A
English Accel- A
Spanish 2- B (I had taught myself spanish 2 through the book without any teachers)

same exact grades next semester 2

(3.83UW)

11th grade courses

went back to school this year

Semester1:

Physics- A
Video-A
US History-A
Pre Cal-A
Ap Bio- C++ (ahhh 79.6)
English Honors- B
(3.83 w) (3.5 uw)

Semester 2: (ongoing grades) ( assuming grades at end of semester)

Physics-A
Psychology2 -A
US History-A
Pre Cal- A
AP Bio - B
English Honors -A

(4.16 w) (3.83 uw)

My Act SCore:27 ( plan on taking again 28+)
SAt score: 1650 without review ( taking prep classes)
striving for 1850+

I have yet to take the AP exams or SAT subject tests yet but plan on taking them
in May or June

my academic gpa 10 & 11 (im presuming on my current track) ( gpa that colleges look at)is:
3.91w 3.74 uw

in top 10% of class of 500+

this year i have also missed many days of schools because of my regular visits to get chemo…though this year i will be in remission =)

12th grade courses i signed up for next year

Calculus AP
English 4 AP
Gov/Econ AP
Psychology 1 - 1 semester
Anatomy and Physiology
Photography 1/2
PE

extra Curriculars

3 years of varsity tennis ( sophomore year i was 2 sick)
105 hours of volunteer hours at my hospital i get treatment
30 hours of volunteering for American Cancer Society
Ping Pong Club
Interact Club
Cancer Awareness Club

also recomendations from stanford’s head of bone marrow transplants,
head of brain tumor doctors, and a local dentist (professor at uop)

I found that having cancer made me grow academically and has made me taking up
new responsibilities in life.

with all this info …what r my chances for being admitted to the following colleges
(0-100%)…or most likely, likely, maybe, reach, extreme reach

UC Davis
UC Berkeley
UCLA
UC San Diego
USC
Stanford
UOP
California Poly

also based on your opinion …am i on the right track and if not what do i need to do?
also i plan on being a doctor, a dentist, or bioengineer
=) thanks for all your answers in advance

Keilexandra · March 9, 2009, 7:25am

Cancer is definitely a valid extentuating circumstance, but you should calculate 9-11 cum GPA too–not all colleges disregard freshman year, and most will take class rank into account (if your school ranks).

Good luck.

bessie · March 9, 2009, 1:49pm

I’m pretty sure even colleges who do not disregard freshman year GPA will disregard YOUR freshman year GPA due to your illness. You are a great candidate and have accomplished a lot. Three years of varsity tennis while recovering from cancer?! That in itself shows a lot of determination and dedication to personal excellence, two things that serve college students very well. Just keep doing what you are doing and you will get into a wonderful school. Good luck. Stay healthy.

shadowboi · March 9, 2009, 1:54pm

my ranking is like 45 of 500+ so top 10%…but my counselor said that when
its time she would put me in the top 4% (ELC) cuz she knows i was shorted out
on a 4.0 last year…thanks tho

shadowboi · March 9, 2009, 1:58pm

thanks bessie for your kind words…i plan on making my personal statement based on how me leukemic experience made me grow academcally and how it has shaped my future goals in life

ucsd_ucla_dad · March 9, 2009, 3:51pm

The UCs will use your 10/11 grades. Especially given your illness, your grades look pretty good. Make sure there’s an indication somewhere on the app that the illness was a factor.

I think you should target even higher SAT/ACT scores for the colleges on your list. Plan to take the tests maybe at least a couple more times while focusing on building up your weak areas between the tests. Sometimes it’s just a matter of coming up to speed on something you’ve forgotten.

I recommend adding a few more UCs to your list to improve your chances. Adding the UCs on the application is easy - just check a few more boxes on the single UC app (and pay more in app fees but the app fees will be insignificant in comparison to the actual cost of college). UCB, UCLA, and UCSD reject a lot of students with very good scores so don’t count on them (but don’t count them out either). In addition to UCD, I suggest adding UCI, UCSB, UCSC, UCR, and maybe UCM. You might also want to add another CalState or two besides CalPoly. If you get the ELC you’ll be guaranteed acceptance to at least one of the UCs but maybe not the one you want to attend.

Also consider attendance costs and proximity to home and your doctors if that’s important.

Good luck.

Japher · March 9, 2009, 4:14pm

I second this. You can’t blame cancer for these. The rest of your creds look very good and should warrent you consideration.

Some suggestions on raising you standardized test scores would be to find a good course on taking standardized tests. I hate these types of test and always considered myself just lousy at them. After college I learned that there were actual strategies to taking them rather than just having to know all the answers. Look into those, they will seem like little tricks but they make a world of difference.

ellemenope · March 9, 2009, 4:28pm

[AHS</a> c/o 2008](<a href=“http://www.arcadiachineseparents.org/college.html]AHS”>http://www.arcadiachineseparents.org/college.html)

These scatterplots give you a general idea of your chances at the UCs, etc. mentioned. Take your unweighted GPA and your total SAT score and see if kids with stats like yours usually get into the schools you mentioned. I know that the applications are more than GPA and SAT, but it is telling if no one with your stats gets in.

For example, even with an 1850 SAT, UCLA is going to be longshot. Definitely add more of the mid/lower tier UCs to your list, as uc dad suggests.

ebeeeee · March 9, 2009, 5:36pm

You don’t mention money. Are finances a consideration? You may see some merit money from UOP which might make it comparable to the UCs in terms of cost. Are you going to be looking for merit money anywhere to help finance your undergrad given that most of your long term plans will involve further study? Will you qualify for financial aid?
Now is the time to get with your parents and discuss money!

anothermom2 · March 9, 2009, 7:41pm

Others may disagree, but try to really boost standardized test scores. You still have the time to do it, and if they can be boosted into a higher percentile, this will support your application even more. Best of luck to you in all things.

ellemenope · March 9, 2009, 8:36pm

^Actually, anothermom2, I agree with you. Upping the SAT scores alot would help.

shadowboi · March 9, 2009, 11:34pm

yea i will be taking some comprehensive SAT courses in the summer…i am not in any financial trouble anymore =)…but pretty average family 60-80 k …have lots of money saved up…and im the only child…
as for uop(if i get in)…im planning to attend their year accel denatl program where the requirements
are an atleast 1800 Sat/27 ACT and a 3.5uw gpa…

ebeeeee · March 10, 2009, 8:24am

That program at UOP is very competitive, as you know. The requirements are a minimum standard…I would still sit down with your parents and figure out the money. How much is saved? Will it prevent you from qualifying for financial aid? If so, is there enough saved to pay for school?

Japher · March 10, 2009, 8:28am

Isn’t UOP’s dental school in SF and not Stockton? Pricey.

A Rocky Road..some advice?

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