Chance me for UCs, Maybe Privates

Applying to College
1

<p>Hello CC. I have just submitted my app to UC Berkeley, UCLA, UCSD, UC Davis, and UC Santa Barbara. I would really appreciate it if some of you could chance me for those schools. Also, if you can recommend any privates I might have a chance at, please let me know. I’m applying everywhere as undeclared, except UC Davis where I have applied as biomedical engineering.</p>

<p>First-generation college student</p>

<p>ACT: 33 (34 English, 33 Math, 30 Reading, 33 Science, 8 Writing, 31 English/Writing Combined)
SAT: 1850. Might retake this Saturday, but I’m reluctant since I’m satisfied with my ACT score.
SAT II: 800 Math II, 760 Chemistry
GPA weighted: 4.45 (Straight A’s, except one B in sophomore year for both semesters)
Class Rank: Top 1% of 760
Somewhat rigorous course load, and I only take harder courses in senior year as I’m currently taking 5 APs. I will have taken 9 APs (but 10 AP tests due do AP Physics BC) by the time I graduate.
My scores at this point are:
AP Chem: 4, AP Language: 4, AP European History: 3, AP Psychology: 5</p>

<p>Took 4 community college classes with a community college GPA of 4.0. Two of these classes took place after-school in the Fall and Spring semesters of Junior year. The other two took place during the Summer.</p>

<p>ECs/Volunteer/Awards:

  • Varsity Cross Country (11th, 12th)
  • Varsity Track and Field (11th, 12th)
  • ASB Relations Coordinator (12th). Manages inter-council relations between all ASB government committees. Oversees committee paperwork, organizes ASB events, designs ASB apparel, ID’s, etc.
  • ASB Co-Chancellor of Beautification (11th). Chosen by interview. I manage community beautification days, organize days, gather chaperons, oversee volunteers, etc.
  • Students Run LA (11th, 12th). This group is focused on marathon-training. Practices are held 2-3 times a week and on some weekends. Completed the LA Marathon in 2011 and running it again in 2012.
  • Volunteers at Elderly Care center for 3 years (10th, 11th, 12th).
  • Volunteers at local elementary school through LA’s Best Organization for three years (10th, 11th, 12th). Tutored elementary school students in math and reading. Helped them with their homework and supervised at after-school events.
  • Rotary Interact Club 3 years (10th, 11th, 12th). This club aims to build peace, spread ethical standards, and provide selfless service to the community through various events such as feeding the homeless.
  • Leadership Beautification 3 years (10th, 11th, 12th). Volunteered at beautification events since freshman year; became co-chancellor of beautification in junior year through interview. Aimed to collaboratively maintain the campus.
  • Key Club International 1 year (9th). Participated in various events that aimed to serve the community. Worked at after-school workshops and other events such as AIDS walk and campus cleanup.
  • Questbridge Finalist: Chosen as a finalist for the QuestBridge National College Match program.
  • California Scholarship Federation: Qualified to be in California Scholarship Federation for three consecutive years.
  • AP Scholar with Honor
  • Principal’s Honors List: Recognized by principal for academic achievement.
  • CIF Scholar-Athlete Award: Granted to students who show outstanding achievement in both schoolwork and a varsity sport.</p>

<p>My essays were well written. Personal statement 2 elaborated on my passion for running, and personal statement 1 talked about my family and how my hardships inspired me to come out of my shell in 10th grade. I talk about how my family problems have motivated me to help my community and work hard in school. </p>

<p>Please chance me guys. Thank you so much for this; I really appreciate it. :)</p>

2

<p>Your rank/GPA/ECs/work load all seem good. The 3 in euro doesn’t look too great. Well…not taking that 1850 into consideration, I think you should get into all of those schools since your ACT is high enough.</p>

3

<p>You look strong for all the UCs. For privates look at JHU for a great BME program and also Duke as a reach worth trying.</p>

4

<p>Thank you both for your feedback. I was also wondering if I would have a chance at ivy league schools like Brown and Columbia? Can anyone please chance me on those and the other ivies? I would really like to know where I stand so I have a better idea of where to apply. Thanks again</p>

5

<p>Those schools would be a big reach. Your ACT is just average for them and with no stand out EC it will be tough. Not impossible though if something shines through in recs and essays.</p>

<p><a href=“Undergraduate Admission | Brown University”>Undergraduate Admission | Brown University;

6

<p>Thanks Waverly. I appreciate it. Do you think I would stand a chance at a lower ivy league, like Cornell?</p>

7

<p>Have you posted this in the Questbridge forum? Doesn’t that sort of change a lot of things?</p>

<p>Questbridge Forum
<a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/questbridge-programs/[/url]”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/questbridge-programs/&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

8

<p>Did you not apply to any schools through QB?</p>

9

<p>@Imagineer: I applied to Stanford, Princeton, and Yale (because they are nonbinding) through QB but was not matched. I’m reapplying through RD, although, I am not putting my chances on them as I already know they are high reach for me. That’s why I’m worrying more about UCs and lower ivies/privates that I probably stand a better chance of getting into.</p>

<p>@Shinkrap: It doesn’t really change anything as I was not matched. I just have the option to forward my QB app to the 3 schools I already applied to through QB (Stanford, Princeton, Yale) for reconsideration in RD. But I do not have high hopes for these schools as they are high reach for me. I’m trying to look towards more reasonable schools I can get into. I can still apply to other ivies for RD.</p>

10

<p>Are you a URM?</p>

<p>Cornell arts and sciences is as competitive as the other non HYP ivies for the most part, but some of the land grant schools are more assessable. I was forgetting your were Questbridge. Low income is a tip, not as big of one if you’re white or Asian, but it would make any school worth a try.</p>

11

<p>Thank again Waverly I appreciate it. I’m not a URM, but I am considered low income. Does being a QB finalist really make that much of a difference? Also, do you think I should bother retaking the SAT? Or would privates only consider my higher ACT score?</p>

12

<p>They’ll just consider the ACT, but another point or so on that could help a lot. I don’t think Questbridge helps white or Asian candidates much. It certainly calls attention to low income which is a tip at some schools, but the schools that care have no problem finding this info on their own.</p>

13

<p>Alright. Once again, thank you Waverly. Very helpful.</p>

14

<p>pretty much accepted into all the UC’s. for privates try northwestern, duke, cornell, brown, dartmouth, and john hopkins.</p>

<p>and rice :)</p>