Chance Me and Match Me for University of Texas (Austin), NYU, UCSB, UCLA
Demographics: female, and I’m 16
Potential Major: Performing Arts or Business
School: 2 Boarding Schools or programs
GPA: 3.0
**Note: It’s not a lot to go off of, but I’m 16 years old and a senior in HS. I’m about to finish in June 2025. Before my two boarding schools I lived in San Diego, California. My first boarding school was in Alabama-Georgia area, which I completed. The second one is in Texas, and I graduated the program. Now, I’m living on-campus as a graduate. Do I count for California tuition or Texas in-state tuition? Do boarding schools look good on transcripts if you graduated from them? Can my age help my chance of acceptance?
MODERATOR’S NOTE: Edit to remove HS names
I’m sorry to say I find your post confusing. You are living on campus at a boarding school from which you are graduating next month but you haven’t applied to college yet?
In general you would be considered a resident of the state in which your parents live.
In any case, your GPA is lower than what is normally considered admissible at the schools you asked about. It might (but not at all definite) be OK for performing arts if you are super talented and the performing arts program wants you. I know someone who in a recent prior year admitted to UT Austin College of Fine Arts for Dance with a GPA in the range of yous. But, their acting program is incredibly selective…as in they only accept 16-20 people each year so it seems like a very long shot.
Being 16 probably won’t have an affect on your admissibility.
If you’d like recommendations for other ideas please let us know what state your parents live in and your budget. Best of luck.
For NYU, your GPA is below average. Business (stern) is highly competitive (less than 5% admit rate) and almost certainly a no. Performing arts is a maybe, depending on your audition.
I do not believe you will get any concession for age.
My parents live in San Diego, California. I am applying to colleges right now and will graduate HS this June. I still live on the campus of the boarding school or program which is in Texas, but I HAVE graduated the program.
I also found this confusing. You said you’ve graduated and living on campus as a graduate. And you also said you’ll be finishing in June. Which is it?
Are you planning to take a gap year?
In what state do your parents reside?
Do you have any test scores?
When are you applying to colleges? For Fall of 2026? You’ve missed the deadlines for applying to these schools for Fall of 2025.
I am graduated HS this June or next month.
I graduated the program or boarding school I attended though, and I am living on the campus as a graduate of the program.
My parents reside in San Diego, Cali
Im applying for Fall of 2026
Ok. Be advised that UCSB and UCLA do not have an undergraduate business majors, but they do have business related majors like economics or actuarial science.
I think you need to step back and decide what you really want to do before starting a chance me thread. There is a huge difference between business and performing arts.
What are your plans for your gap year?
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My first choice is performing arts actually, not business.
And I’m not really have help from my parents and I’m trying to leave the boarding school because it costs money to live on campus even after you graduate the program, so my college tuition is being used on here. I also didn’t expect to graduate HS at 16 or be sent to a boarding school. So, I need as much help, and I am not finna waste my time applying to a college I won’t have a chance getting into.
You mentioned finishing your boarding school program. I assume you will graduate with a high school diploma?
I highly recommend you begin by speaking to the counselor at your boarding school as he/she will be more familiar with your specific situstion and should be able to offer some guidance.
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Yes, I will graduate w/HS diploma
Who will be paying for your college education, and how much can they afford to spend each year.
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Im pretty sure me. My parents are using my college tuition on this place, although they are pretty wealthy, we dont have the best relationship. And, Im applying for scholarships.
Hmm.. are you in any way an international student?
Unfortunately, the only specific advice we can offer here is summed up in @bruno99’s advice above. There are a lot of complicating variables in your situation, and your school’s college counseling office will help you far more than the people here.
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I think your best bet may be to go back home to CA and apply to community college to start this fall. Get your core courses out of the way at a low cost. Focus on getting excellent grades and work with the CC counselor to fine the best and most affordable options to transfer to a 4 years school
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This is an excellent suggestion. Apart from the cost saving, it is easier to get into a top UC from a California CC (provided you do well and meet the prerequisites) than straight out of high school.
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