Although C26 hasn’t decided on where to attend yet, results are pretty much in. All applications were rolling or EA.
stats:
3.4 GPA at time of applying - very poor freshman year due to late ADHD diagnosis, explained in counselor letter & additional info sections (not all schools take rec letters). Junior year GPA ~3.8. 2 honors, 3 APs (mostly math & sciences) - below average for competitive Bay Area high school as IEP focused on improving grades before adding rigor.
SAT 1500 (740V/760M), one sitting. NM commended.
Rec letter from physics teacher (2 years) - judging from teacher feedback to us we expect it was strong.
Average ECs, but overall showcased creativity and interest in STEAM, also art/science summer camp counselor. A few state & national Latin awards. Despite poor start to high school, life CSF member (sealbearer). School arts distinction award.
Major: architecture. Did a summer program at SLO - not selective, but intensive program (6 days a week for 4 weeks) - confirmed interest in subject and also gave some great essay material. Didn’t apply anywhere a portfolio was required. Not always clear how competitive architecture was vs overall admit rate, so other than ASU (auto admit on grades) we didn’t label anything a safety.
Results in the order they came in:
ASU (safety) - admitted BSD Architectural Studies, $15500 p.a. merit
Pitt (target/low reach - collegevine put this at 27% probability, but looked like a target on Maia) - admitted BS Architecture
UIC (target) - admitted BS Architecture, “over $8000” p.a. merit
Boulder (target) - admitted BEnvD, architecture
UMN (target) - deferred, oof. (BS on pre architecture track)
UIUC (reach) - admitted, BS Architectural Studies.
Current shortlist to be visited: Pitt, Boulder, UIUC.
The journey of low GPA/high SAT has been interesting and I’m planning to write a more detailed post about that that may be of use/interest to other “lopsided” applications.