OP is not applying through QB as of now. If you qualify for QB, it would enhance your chances. How your family assets are held, by QB standards, will determine your eligibility for this program, IMO. Though getting matched is a lottery ticket, and so do not think your chances are that good for that, applying to the schools you have listed through QB does give you some extra consideration . I would check into eligibility for QB
Pretty sure retirements. My parents have never talked to me about savings accounts. I will talk to them tomorrow and keep you posted!
oops, 4.6 is some other NAAC gpa. 4.4 capped, 4.8 W
Do check out Questbridge.
Thanks for the comment. I agree, I have been lurking on here for a while, but I never really gave these terms much thought until know.
My composite was 31: 29 English, 34 math, 30 reading, 31 science, 11 essay
I got a 4 in bio and lang, 5s on everything else
will do, thank you!
“Retirement” assets are only ignored if they are in a Qualified Retirement Plan (QRP,) which would mean a little harder to access, for college costs. Ask your parents. Just “setting aside” money you hope will go to retirement isn’t a QRP.
Now, about the scores, for psych/neuro: the English 29, Reading 30, and the 4 in bio are going to be less compeitive for a top 20. See what you can do with the ACT retest or possibly the SAT. The common app includes a question on possible future plans, so they’ll see you want a med future.
But also, often your best shot at truly shining for med school apps is not to go top 20. Many will be competitive and purposely weed out med hopefuls. It can be brutal. You can get the right research experience at many other schools that are near hospitals. Someone mentioned Bates, it’s across the street from a hospital, down the street from another. Walkable. But you have to be the right match for them, know what’s unique they like and look for. And it does weed premeds.
Look around for more than top 20. Find the right, exciting schools where you can thrive in all ways.
This family has a $65,000 a year income…right? That would not yield a $0 EFC per FAFSA. My understanding about Questbridge is that $0 EFC kids have the best chance at this program. Am I wrong about that?
I still say…look at the ever growing list of test optional colleges. Since your ACT is the “weaker link” in your application stuff, a test optional choice or two that meets full need would be a great option to add.
Because of the way your standardized scores distribute across across verbal and quantitative areas, you could present an amazing profile to test-flexible schools as well (e.g., Hamilton, Middlebury).
We don’t have exact QB data, but 2018 finalists had a median HHI of $35K and 79% were eligible for reduced or free lunch. https://www.questbridge.org/high-school-students/national-college-match/finalist-profile
So, it doesn’t seem inaccurate to say $0 EFC kids have the best chances of becoming a QB finalist.
OP will not have a $0 EFC and will likely have a $20K+ contribution, so I would think QB chances are lower than average but it can’t hurt to chat with his GC about it.
I concur OP should consider test optional colleges.
“Regarding @Gumbymom’s figures for admitted students (#55), note that the statistics for enrolled UC students will appear comparatively favorable to you… At UCLA, for example, attending California residents register a middle-range ACT profile of 27-34. Even your “low” ACT score of 31 would place you above average by this measure among this group.”
Not sure how this is relevant to an applicant who needs to get ADMITTED first to UCLA. The only thing your data above shows is that high stat kids are choosing to go to other colleges (making the yield lower) for these applicants. It doesn’t change the fact that actual enrolled student group had a lower probability of admittance to UCLA, and that’s the point, OP should raise his ACT to around 33 or better to give himself the best opportunity to get an acceptance.
Completely agree with @socaldad2002 and was also going to point out that this applicant needs to be admitted first, that is why I post the admit rate data instead of the enrolled student data. Here is the current 2019 admission data for the UC’s overall and specifically for California applicants:
Freshman Overall (California/OOS/International):
UCLA: 12.4%
UC Berkeley: 16.8%
UC Irvine: 26.6%
UC Santa Barbara: 29.7%
UC San Diego: 32.3%
UC Davis: 39.1%
UC Santa Cruz: 51.8%
UC Riverside: 56.7%
UC Merced: 75.4%
Admission Rates for California Applicants:
UCLA: 11.8%
UC Berkeley: 19.2%
UC Irvine: 21.3%
UC Santa Barbara: 26.9%
UC San Diego: 27.6%
UC Davis: 35.5%
UC Santa Cruz: 42.5%
UC Riverside: 55.8%
UC Merced: 77%
Regarding statistics, I’m less concerned with which are posted than with how they are labeled. Otherwise, the profiles of UCLA and Cornell, as examples from this thread, might appear nearly identical to the OP, even though, based on Common Data Set or comparable information, their 25th percentile ACT levels for attending students differ by a notable 5 points.
Right. UCLA had over 135,000 applications. The 26% figure (or many other numbers) can mislead. UCLA is a case where they can cherry pick to the max. So many aplicants that they can finely control for filling depts and all sorts of other wishes. You don’t truly have a 1 in 4 shot.
And it’s NOT being among the average stats. The goal is still to find colleges where you’re at or above the 75th percentile. Not good enough to fall “within” the 27-34 range. And since they’re holistic, you don’t apply blindly, just because your stats are mid-point of the mid-range.
@merc81. I don’t know what your point is. You asked OP to focus on enrolled stats but has really nothing to do with his chances of getting into a top college. The only stats that matter are admitted students stats and what his scores needs to be (preferably in the 75th percentile) to have the best shot of acceptance. Period. If he focuses on enrolled student stats he may be very disappointed next spring.
brutal honesty? A 31 will not cut it at Williams, Dartmouth or Cornell. Not even close. Don’t waste your ED chip on any of them.
First gen is a bigger plus factor at UC than it is for top privates. UC’s also value test scores less than top privates. So, the short answer is to study this summer and retake the ACT in the fall, or try a SAT practice test at home. It might be more to your liking.
Where should I use my ED chip then. Also, what are some possible EA options?
Someone who is not sure of a no-regrets top choice without needing to compare financial aid offers probably should not apply ED anywhere.
My no regrets top choices were mentioned earlier, I just want to explore other options.
Your ED chip will work better at schools where you match what they look for, understand that match, and can nail your whole app, every bit of it. Some good ECs, but a 31 and the subscores won’t be competitive.
They look for kids who can thrive in their context, the peer competition, the level classes are taught at, the volume of work. That means their expectations, not your hopes. Sorry, but you’d need some improvement.