It Feels Like I'm Borderline Everywhere

[sinful_saint]

<p>Ello, ello... I'm a senior from California who would like to know what his chances are at the following schools:</p>

<ol>
<li> All of the UC's except Santa Cruz and Merced - I'm praying for UCSD, because I know Berkeley and UCLA are pretty long reaches for a chap such as myself.</li>
<li> University of Chicago - Recognized Reach</li>
<li> Johns Hopkins - Recognized Reach</li>
<li> Tufts - Recognized Reach</li>
<li> USC</li>
<li> University of Texas</li>
<li> University of Wisconsin</li>
<li> Stanford, because my sister, who knows nothing about modern college admissions, is forcing me to apply here.</li>
</ol>

<p>GPA: 3.6 (UW) / 3.82 (UC) / 4.1 (High School) - My UC GPA looks low because the system only gives extra credit for a total of eight honors and AP semesters taken during sophomore and junior years, while I had taken a grand total of 16 semesters.</p>

<p>Class Rank: 30 / 602</p>

<p>SAT I: 690 (M) / 680 (V) - Retook on October 9th. Anticipating a score above 1400. Right now, I know I left one blank on verbal and got atleast two wrong. For math, I left two blank, and got atleast one wrong.</p>

<p>SAT II: 640 Writing / 650 Math IC / 740 US History - Retaking Math and Writing in November. I anticipate scores above 700 for both tests.</p>

<p>AP's: I took European History sophomore year (got a 4 on the test) and took English Language (5), US History (4), Chemistry (4), and Calculus AB (4) during my junior year. This year, I am taking AP Statistics, Biology, Psychology, and English Literature.</p>

<p>Honors Courses: Freshman year, I took Honors Biology and Literature. Sophomore year, I took Honors Chemistry, Pre-Calculus, and World Literature. This year, I am taking Honors American Government, because AP Government was not offered.</p>

<p>EC's: I have been a devoted member of Academic Decathlon, the Computer Club, Chess Club, and the California Scholarship Federation since freshman year. I have been Treasurer for Academic Decathlon and Vice President of Computer Club.</p>

<p>Volunteering: I racked up a measly 100 hours this summer at a local convalescent center, but I created strong relationships with many patients and employees there. Through my experiences there, I have left myself a great deal to talk about in my college essays.</p>

<p>I will be majoring in Political Science or International Relations depending on the school I attend. Thank you, in advance, for all of your comments and suggestions.</p>

[sinful_saint]

<p>Come on, someone help me out...</p>

[sinful_saint]

<p>91 views and no comments? Will someone please be kind enough to give me their opinions on my chances?</p>

[scherzo123]

<p>You're basically in my shoes, although my GPA is a 4.2 and my SATs are a 1300... so they're kinda reversed.</p>

<p>I'm looking at Ivy Leagues, and I really need to boost my SATs. Your GPA/Class rank isn't great, then again you've taken some pretty tough courses. I've only taken 5 APs total, in my High School 'career.'</p>

<p>If you can get outstanding SATs or work on your ECs, that would help you. Also, try to get 3 SATIIs w/ scores above 700. That would help.</p>

<p>Do you have an outstanding EC, like musical talent or sport? Emphasize that. Have great essays and recs.</p>

<p>I think you'll have a decent chance... just so ya know, I'm basically in the same boat but it's all about confidence.</p>

<p>You can do it!</p>

[number1weirdo]

<p>I think you have a good chance of getting into UCSD. I too am applying for UCSD, as well as UCLA and Berkeley. I live in San Diego, and I know many people who have gotten into UCSD with far less academics. Just make sure to write a killer personal statement. :) Oh, btw, how do you calculate your UC gpa?</p>

[tomiodotcomio]

<p>MOST people aren't going to stand out...how do you think they cram thousands of students into these universities? they can't ALL be interesting and talented and sophisticated. being "middle of the line" isn't that bad, you'll be looked at and considered among everyone else and have a good chance of getting in at least a few places. I'd suggest trying to raise the SAT's a little, which will give you more of an edge over the competition in match and reach schools, and focusing on great essays. visit the places you're most serious about, or get your name on a list somehow through college fairs or websites, etc. every little bit counts, and remember, median kids at least beat out the bottom 50% loll...</p>

[sinful_saint]

<ul>
<li>number1weirdo</li>
</ul>

<p>To calculate your UC GPA, first find out how many A - G subject semesters you took during your sophomore and junior years. For example, if you took five A - G subjects in your sophomore year and six in your junior year, you would have taken 22 total A - G subject semesters ( (6 x 2) + (5 x 2) = 22). Then, of these 22, find out how many A's, B's, C's, etc. you have received. For each semester course that you got an A in, give yourself 4 points, 3 for every B, 2 for every C, and 1 for every D. So, let's say I received 15 A's and 7 B's during my sophomore and junior years. My current raw score would be 81 ( (15 x 4) + (7 x 3) = 81). Now, add one point for each AP or UC-Approved Honors semesters you had. Say, for example, I took one AP sophomore year and 2 AP's junior year. That would mean I would add six points to my current raw score of 81 ( (2 for each semester during my sophomore year x 1) + (2 for each semester during my junior year x 2) = 6). One note on AP and Honors points though... The number of points you can add to your raw score because of AP's and Honors courses is capped out at eight. So if you took three AP's both your sophomore and junior years, you have a total of 12 AP semesters, but you will only get extra points for eight. Anyway, back to my example. I would take the original raw score of 81, add six to it, and receive 87. I then divide this score by the number of A - G semesters in my sophomore and junior years. So, in this example, my UC GPA would be 3.95 (87 / 22 = 3.95). So, in conclusion, this is how you calculate your UC GPA: (Raw score + AP and Honors points, which are capped at 8) / Number of A - G semesters taken in your sophomore and junior years.</p>

<p>Whew, that was long-winded of me! Anyway, would anyone like to tell me what my chances would be at any of the other schools, such as Berkeley, LA, Irvine, Davis, Santa Barbara, Texas, USC, and Wisconsin?</p>

[sinful_saint]

<p>--- BUMPARUMP ---</p>

<p>Someone please tell me what my chances are at UCB, UCLA, UCI, UCD, UCSB, USC, UT-Austin, and UW-Madison.</p>

[anxious_mom]

<p>Your scores are in the ballpark for all of the UCs that you are interested in. Because of comprehensive review (with different guidelines at the different UCs) it is really not possible to accurately predict beyond that - if you apply to all the UCs on your list, you will likely be admitted to some or all...</p>

[reasonabledad]

<p>I don't ususally respond to the "chances" threads, because I'm not as certain as many other posters about the odds, and because I tend to think that the essays matter a good deal and we can't see your essays. Do you have a "hook" by which I mean something(s) unusual that you can contribute to the adcoms who are forming up a class out of applicants?</p>

<p>I agree with anxious_mom that your stats are good enough to put you into contention at almost all of the schools you listed (Stanford is tougher, but after all, nothing ventured, nothing gained). I would guess you will get about five acceptances from your list, but which ones is beyond me.</p>