Chances at getting into College

Colleges & Universities University of California - Berkeley
1

<p>I’m currently a junior in high school, and I’m wondering about my chances at getting admitted into top schools. Currently my stats are:</p>

<p>Freshman: 3.6 GPA
Sophmore: 3.8 GPA (4.1 Weighted)
Junior: 4.0 GPA (4.5 Weighted)</p>

<p>SAT Subject tests: Math ii - 800; Phys ii - 800
SAT: 2160, 10 essay
ACT: 35
AP Tests: Calc BC, Phys C mech, Phys C E&M all 5s</p>

<p>By the time I graduate, I expect my overall GPA to be (not including Freshman year):</p>

<p>3.86 Weighted, 4.36 Weighted (with straight As through Junior and Senior year, and 2 APs Junior year and 1 honors, 3 APs senior year).</p>

<p>My SAT score is 2160, 10 essay
ACT score: 35</p>

<p>My main concern is my grades and ECs. Through Freshman and Sophmore year I didn’t really see the point of ECs, most of them were boring and didn’t interest me. I also was content with trying half as hard as I could, and still getting decent grades. This year I’ve been tutoring other students at my HS’s homework center for 6 hours a week, and getting straight As. I never realized how truely gifted I was with math and physics, but this year I finished with the highest grades in the class in both AP Calc and AP Phys (pretty much unheard of). This summer I’m looking into taking 3 classes, along with doing an Engineering program at a college (going to talk to guidance counselor about it). I was wondering if I had any shot at top schools, and maybe if anyone had advise on how to strengthen my application. Also, if anyone had experience with these summer programs at colleges and could tell me what the experience is like, I would greatly appreciate it :slight_smile: (it seems sorta frightening to me).</p>

<p>Anyway, my top schools are (in order):
Caltech
Stanford
Harvey Mudd
Berkeley
UCLA</p>

<p>I would be happy if I could go to any of those schools. My backups/realistic schools are UCSD, USC, UC Davis, Cal Poly SLO, and UCSB.</p>

2

<p>Oh and my Bs were the following:
B every semester in Spanish (except Junior year, dropped it, taking it at community college)
B first semester Fresh. year Bio (I know…)
B first semester Soph. year U.S.H. (I know… -____-)</p>

3

<p>From what I’ve seen… no for Stanford, Caltech, and Harvey Mudd (unless you have some special background).</p>

<p>Good shot at Berkeley/LA/USC</p>

<p>Pretty much in for the rest.</p>

<p>Also, if you’re truly gifted at math/physics, why not look into the AMC to IMO series (math competition) and USAPHO (physics olympiad)? If you do well on those (by well I mean making some form of MOP or physics olympiad team), chances are you’ll get into maybe even all of HYPSM. Heck, if you just make it past the first round of either competition while keeping up your GPA, I would be willing to bet you’d be pretty much guaranteed into Cal/LA/USC.</p>

4

<p>You probably have a good shot at Berkeley and UCLA. Maybe Harvey Mudd? Caltech and Stanford probably no. You might get waitlisted at Caltech.</p>

5

<p>As Foraminifera said, study for and participate in the AMC or IMO. If you’re in a finalist in either, you’re basically set for MIT/CIT.</p>

6

<p>The AMC and IMO aren’t exclusive LOL.
The AMC is the first test in a series that selects the American IMO team. If you score well on the AMC, you will qualify for AIME. The combined scores of AMC and AIME are used to qualify for USAMO. Then, the top scorers on the USAMO are gathered into a collection of summer programs called MOP, from which the American IMO team is chosen.</p>

7

<p>I took the physics olympiad at my school like 1-2 weeks ago…is that what you guys are talking about? also, is it too late for me to start studying? what/how should i study? again, thanks for all of the replies!!!</p>

8

<p>AMC should be in a couple of weeks. If you don’t have any experience with competition math, you probably won’t do too great unless you’re naturally talented.</p>