classic lazy person - need advice and some chancing

Chance Me / Match Me
1

Gender: Male
Ethnicity: Asian
State: Texas
Major: Biomedical Engineering
Income: ~120,000

Weighted GPA: 3.83 (lots of Bs, some Cs and Ds, one F)
Unweighted GPA: 3.1
Rank: 63/~160 (around 40%)
HS Rank: competitive public magnet school (top 25 on US News)
SAT Score: 2310 (CR:760, M: 780, W: 770)
SAT Subject Tests: none
AP Exams: World History (3), Statistics (3), US History (3), Calculus AB (4), Physics 1 (4), Biology (4), Language and Composition (4), Comp Sci (4), Environmental Science (4)
Senior Year Schedule: (all APs) Literature, Calculus BC, Government, Economy, Physics 2, Chemistry

ECs/Leadership:
Worked at the local University’s lab (3 years, around 1000 volunteer hours)
Martial Arts (11 years)
President of Academic Quiz Bowl Club (2 years)
Traditional hand drums, teach younger students (5 years)

Awards:
NMSF (very likely, probably not going to be a finalist)

Recs/Essays:
English teacher (8/10): I think she likes me??
Physics Teacher (5/10): She doesn’t hate me at least.
Professor (10/10): Doesn’t know I’m pathetic and likes me.
Essays (7/10): I think I’m an alright writer, nothing too special.

–

I’m pretty much a try hard failure I guess, and I’m at a loss at to where to apply. All of my friends are applying to top 25 schools in their areas of interest, and I can’t really do that lol. This really opened my eyes and I’ve realized how much I messed around these past few years. I’ve learned from my mistakes and am very sure I won’t do the same at college so I can go somewhere I would enjoy for grad school (which is pretty much necessary if I want to get a job for my major).

These are the schools I’m thinking about: Texas A&M, University of Houston, UT Austin (open to messing w/the major I’m applying with to improve chances since I’m very confident I will do better in college), University of Alabama (would have a really nice scholarship due to SAT scores)

Some other schools I’ve looked at but haven’t thought through: Wake Forest, Virginia Tech, Santa Clara University

I will greatly appreciate any chancing + any recommendations

2

So unfortunately Biomedical Engineering is one of the most competitive majors at UT. It’s highly unlikely given your class rank. UofH is a lock, and the same goes for A&M I think. If you’re serious about college and your gpa once you start taking classes you can always try transferring to UT. And regardless you’re correct in thinking that if you do really well wherever you end up that you won’t be limited in which grad schools you can attend. Don’t worry about rankings or where everyone else is going. In the grand scheme of things it’s all about finding a school where you can succeed, which it seems like there could be many given your SAT as long as you put the work in like you realize you need to.

3

@danfer91 Thanks for your reply and advice. I’m not sure what you mean by saying that UH and A&M are “a lock,” so could you explain?

4

Have you thought about a 3/2 program? You will probably be able to easily get into one of the many liberal arts colleges with a 3/2 program. You can then complete your bachelors and then this would be a good way to get into a top university for an engineering degree.

Columbia University’s 3/2 program is well known. They even offer guaranteed acceptance as long as you can maintain a 3.3 GPA or higher. Take a look: http://undergrad.admissions.columbia.edu/apply/combined-plan

5

@sgopal2 I haven’t thought about 3/2 programs and will do so; thanks for the link. My only qualm is that I won’t get the traditional college experience, and I’m not sure graduating from Columbia is more important than that, but I’ll think about it.

6

Check out case western–have good stem. If you are ok with paying more in tuition, UC’s may not be a bad thought. U Michigan also has good stem if you aren’t concerned about OOS tuition.

7

Don’t forget that President Barack Obama transferred to Columbia from Occidental College using a similar program. So although you won’t get a traditional college experience, you will certainly be well prepared as an engineer.

8

I’ll talk to my GC about 3-2 programs, although my parents don’t really like the sound of it haha.

9

@marioooooo Sorry, by that I meant that you’re going to get in, barring some huge mistake on your application. So while UT is unlikely, given your class rank and the fact you’re applying to maybe the most competitive major in the school, UH and A&M are pretty much safeties because of your SAT.

10

ah ok. Are you sure about A&M? considering my low GPA/rank + the major I want, I feel like it won’t be too easy.

11

Also, since I’m very confident about doing better and learned my lesson from slacking off in high school, I feel like I can apply as a less competitive major to UT and internally transfer into Cockrell after the first year with minimal risks. Which major should I apply as? undeclared liberal arts?

Another thing: my GPA doesn’t really show it but I did get a few Cs, Ds, and an F (all in one semester due to me just giving up sigh).