Just got accepted into a few schools- need help

Applying to College
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<p>I’ve recently been accepted into a few schools (also rejected by a few–I’ll list the accept/reject below), and I need advice as to what’s next. The school I plan on transferring into is UC Davis as a Political Science major (though they offer an International Relations major that I’d like to transfer to.)</p>

<p>I’m at a community college right now. I started off as a part-time, C student, but then I realized what I wanted to do, and what school I wanted to get in, so I became motivated, and have been a straight A student for about half the time I’ve been here.</p>

<p>I’d like to go on to get a Master’s and a PhD at a “highly selective” university for graduate school (LSE, MIT, NYU, Columbia-I’m trying to shoot as high as possible).</p>

<p>My question is what can I do now, and at UCD, to get to the level where I’m eligible to be admitted into such prestigious institutions. I’m highly motivated and I don’t have to work (I have a complete free ride thanks to mommy and daddy) making me able to focus 100% on school and extracurricular activities. Also, what will the intensity of work be like at a 4-year on the quarter system? I’m constantly told that the work is 10x harder than community college, which makes me nervous.</p>

<p>As a side note, I have volunteer experience, work for a real estate management company, Secretary of the Political Science club, and may be interning for a think tank over the summer.</p>

<p>Thanks for any and all responses.</p>

<p>Schools accepted: CSU Sacramento, CSU Long Beach, SFSU, CSU Chico, UC Santa Cruz, UC Santa Barbra, and UC Davis.</p>

<p>Schools rejected: UC San Diego, UCLA, and I’m planning on getting rejected from UC Berkeley this Friday.</p>

<p>Cumulative GPA (currently): 3.25
UC Transferable GPA: 3.38 (expected 3.5 by the end of this semester)</p>

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<p>I’m at UCSC right now and the quarter system work load is a lot to take in. Every 2 weeks or so I have a midterm. I recently talked out grad school counselor because I’m thinking of transferring to Boise or Chico State and he made it clear to me that the school rank doesn’t matter when apply for grad/PhD programs. Yes it is taken into consideration, but they are mainly looking at your GPA, personal statements, GRE and other test scores. You’re extra activities look great! I’d try to make get an internship for a person running for some sort of office or even at the state capital I’m not sure where you’re at…but also work on your writing. It will help you in the quarter system and when apply for grad and/or PhD programs!</p>