<p>I know that you’re upset that some have suggested that your GPA and test scores don’t match. Often that DOES mean that the school has grade inflation or isn’t very competitive.</p>
<p>I know that you mentioned that you didn’t learn English til you were about 4 years old. That may be a small part of the issue, but the fact that you’ve been able to take school tests in English for K-12 and do well, suggests (to me) that literacy in English isn’t the big issue. </p>
<p>No one is claiming that you aren’t naturally intelligent. You probably are. However, if your schools haven’t been strong, and therefore you may be lacking in foundation, it would really derail your med school goals IF you go to a school where your premed classmates have had a stronger K-12 education. </p>
<p>What was the breakdown of your SAT? M CR W</p>
<p>We’re trying to give you a strategy that will get you to your ultimate goal…med school…physician. You can quickly get yourself off-track if you end up at a school where your GPA will suffer. You’re going to need a tippy top GPA because I suspect that with testing issues, your MCAT may be the weak-link when you apply to med schools.</p>
<p>Instead of brushing off advice from people who experience with all of this, consider what is being said.</p>
<p>OP, I thought mom2collegekids gave you great advice in post #19. It’s a little surprising to me that you would respond like this. She is just trying to help you, as we all are.</p>
<p>I also agree with her that your English literacy is not the main issue in your scores, because you went through your entire school career in English and earned great grades. </p>
<p>I’m relieved to hear that you have wondered about the discrepancy. Have you talked with your school counselor about this? </p>
<p>I echo the recommendation that you consider UCR and Merced. </p>
<p>Please don’t pout. You will need to get used to being challenged - especially if you are a physician!</p>
<p>OP,
don’t get upset about your test scores. There are reasons why more and more colleges are going test optional; they are realizing that they are missing out on very good applicants like you. So instead on limiting yourself to UC schools, take a look at test optional colleges (<a href=“http://www.fairtest.org”>www.fairtest.org</a>). Lots of very good and very selective colleges on the list.</p>
<p>Also realize that many schools just look at M and CR scores. </p>
<p>I’m sorry. I truly apologize. I am just really stressed about to this whole process. So any little thing regarding applications irritates me. I would like your help, I was just being stubborn. Sorry. </p>
<p>However, what should I do from now on? I want to go to a well rounded school that will prepare for med school. I will be sure to look at the fair test schools as well. </p>
<p>Sorry, for the inappropriate behavior once again. How many schools do you suggest I apply to as well? I’m thinking 10. I still need to adjust my list
accordingly once I get my ACT and SAT score back. </p>
<p>*Sorry, for the inappropriate behavior once again. How many schools do you suggest I apply to as well? I’m thinking 10. I still need to adjust my list
accordingly once I get my ACT and SAT score back. *</p>
<p>Do you qualify for fee waivers? If so, how many do you get? Does applying to several UCs only use 1 waiver? Does applying to more than 1 CSU use only 1 waiver?</p>
<p>UCLA
UCSD
Wake Forest and some other test optional “meets need” schools. **
UCI
UCD
UCSC, UCR and Merced as possible financial safeties
SDSU
CSULB
Chapman (does it meet need?)
both Cal Polys</p>
<p>All of these schools are “good enough” to prepare a student for med school. However, in Calif, it still seems that there is a UC preference over CSUs for med school. Don’t know if that’s just only “old perceptions” or if that’s still somewhat true. That doesn’t mean that the CSUs can’t prepare you for med school, they can. </p>
<p>However, the UCs have long been considered to be the “premed” publics in Calif. So, that’s why I think getting into a UC is preferable. </p>
<p>** My only objection to going OOS when the family can’t pay much is that it’s very expensive to go OOS…even if the school “meets need.” </p>
<p>Lefty…is your family “low income”? Or do they have a good income, but can’t pay much?</p>
<p>You may want to practice standardized test taking techniques; it is possible that you may be able to raise your test scores substantially with such practice. This may give you more options of schools to attend.</p>
<p>Note that a key factor in medical school admission is a standardized test, the MCAT. Skill in taking standardized tests can be helpful in the future when you take the MCAT.</p>
<p>It looks like there are a few test optional schools that meet full need, they aren’t easy admits but they exist:
Bates
Bowdoin
Colby
Bryn Mawr (for girls)
Smith (for girls)
Connecticut college
Hamilton
College of Holy Cross
Franklin and Marshall
Mount Holyoke (for girls)</p>
<p>@Slacker, thanks for the list! However, I kind of want to stay near California. I’ll continue looking at each school thoroughly. </p>
<p>@ucbalumnus, I recently took the ACT and I feel that my score there is greater than my SAT. However, the SAT is next Saturday (10/5) so I don’t have that much time to study and it is my last chance ever. </p>
<p>@mom, I am not sure if I qualify for fee waiver’s. I would have to apply for the free and reduced lunch and that will determine whether or not I can receive fee waivers. I’ll try and fill it out this week. And I’m not sure if one fee waiver allows me to apply to every UC or CSU. At the place I work, all of the PT Aide’s went to a CSU and are now going to med school so I think CSU’s may do just a good job as UC’s. I think we have a good income but can’t pay much. </p>
<p>Talk to your parents about what they are willing to contribute. Run the net price calculators on various schools, including UCs and CSUs, to show them what the net price will be after financial aid. Doing this may allow you to come up with an affordable list of schools to apply to instead of finding out in April that all of your acceptances are to schools which you cannot afford.</p>