Hey peoples. I had a freshman GPA of 2.9 (4 Honors Classes) due to missing 14 days due to an illness. This year (Sophmore), I have a 3.8 Gpa so far this year(1 AP, 2 Honors). My new SAT is 1510 (780Math, 730 English) with no preparation. My EC’s include 2 Years ACE program, 5 years guitar (Guitar honors society), 175 Hours at the temple, 50 hours at physical therapists. My high school is a top 5 public high school in NJ. Can I get into schools such as NJIT, Rutgers, Rowan, Drexel, Penn State, Purdue, GeorgiaTech, George Washington and other universities.
You got a 1510 on the SAT as a SOPHOMORE dang, apply to UCs, your freshman year grades are not considered you could probably get in to UCB/UCLA/UCSD (one of the top UCs) if you continue with the good grades. You don’t even have to take the SAT again, unless you want to raise it to a 1550 which is basically considered a perfect score.
If you have a 1510 on the SAT without preparation how come you have a 3.8 GPA?
This seems extremely weird. Also, not to ask too much but how is it possible for you to have a 2.9 GPA in freshman year simply due to a 14 day illness? 14 days means you get behind, but usually not to the point of a 2.9 (especially for good students).
Being in sophomore year with 1AP/2H is a pretty bad idea (especially if you want to be a high achiever). Not sure about NJ but most highly ranked High Schools have many AP options. You should be reaching for 12-15 AP by the time you graduate. Ideally, if you want to attend an elite state college, you should take 7 AP in Junior year and 7 AP in Senior year to bring yourself up to a 15 total courses (what I find to be the usual case).
Since you only have a single AP class this year, try your hardest to get a 5. Other then that, my advice would be to completely ace the SAT with a full score, and be sure to get National Merit Finalist on the PSAT.
Your will most likely be entering Junior year with a 3.35 GPA (if you current year holds). In fall semester, you will need to greatly expand on your EC’s while aceing the PSAT for NMF. Try the SAT at least in December before trying a couple more times in the Spring. This summer, try to either get a job or an internship.
RMN, I was in and out of school and It was not in 1 span, it was separated over multiple spans and I had to take quizzes and tests on the same day as rest of class even though I was unable to do the lesson. Also, my school only offers APUSh for sophomores, no other AP’s this year available. I am on track next year for Calc AB, Ap Physics 1, AP Lang Comp, AP world history and honors language. I am taking the SAT in a few months with some prep and the reason I didn’t ace was silly mistakes;-;. I am taking SAT II for Chemistry and US history as well as AP Us exam. I am also in the process for getting a job at the Liberty Science Center and the Edison Memorial Tower.
RMNiMiTz
I am good at working fast (Probably could have gotten higher if I didn’t make silly mistakes.) I am a good test taker, Just terrible with essays. Also, I was sick for nearly 2 months, it just I was too ill to go to school for 14 days but I had gone to school while on anti-biotics and had fevers. I was also expected to take exams the day I came back so I was forced to take 3-4 in a row burning me out. I also had to work on multiple, large group projects by myself as I was not there for group picking day which made my work a bit subpar. As for AP situation, my school only offers APUSH for sophomore, no other APs. the only main 4 class I’m not in honors/ap is math. Next year, I am in line for WAP, Calc AB, Ap Lang Comp and AP physics (That is the max allowed). I am also starting at the Liberty Science Center and am mentoring an elementary school FLL team (Robotics). My school is a US News silver school and 60 people went to ivies last year. In terms of standardized tests, I’m taking AP Us history exam, SAT II for Chem and Us history.
@RMNiMiTz did you really say to get into elite state schools he has to take 7 APs junior and senior year? I graduated with 11 and took 0, 4, 4, and 3. The schools he wants to go to are not even elite. My older brother took 2 Honors Freshman year 3AP 1 Honor Sophmore 4AP junior and 3AP Senior and attends UCLA. Probably the best state school after Cal. Even at top schools like Ivies having 10 or more APs is all that really matters if you get As in them. AP classes are basically college classes, and most students in college take 4 a year. So ideally taking 4 is perfect for a high schooler
OP what does being related to a Professor at UC Merced have anything to do with costs??? You will still be an non-resident paying non resident UC costs, so unless you plan to go to UC Merced and live with your 3rd cousin your OOS tuition is still around $45K/year. 25% is $11,250 and you as a student can only take out $5500 as Freshman in loans. If you have a job you can make up the rest at least for the 1st year but this is for UC Merced. Any other UC, you will also be paying for housing so 25% of $60K/year is $15K. Can you afford $60 over 4 years to attend if Dad is picking up the rest? Your maximum student loans only amount to $27K for 4 years.
You still have time before applying but run the Net Price calculators for all schools and interest and sit down with your Dad and talk about what are reasonable costs.