AP Scores:
5 on AP US History
5 on AP Computer Science
5 on AP Biology Exam
5 on AP Calculus AB Exam
4 on AP Language and Composition
4 on AP Chemistry
SAT II Subject Test Scores:
800 Math 2
800 Chemistry
800 Biology
770 US History
Extra-Curricular Activities:
Biomedical Engineering Internship at University of California, Irvine
Completed all ABRSM Piano levels. Have placed numerous times at citywide piano competitions.
Play piano at an convalescent home once a month since 9th grade.
Currently on board for the organization which hosts #3.
President of my school’s MedClub (we invite doctors to give speeches and counseling to students).
Currently on board of a math club which teaches math to disadvantaged students
Play the harmonium, a traditional Indian instrument, and lead the youth music group at my local religious congregation
Received 3rd place at California State Science Fair, 2nd place at Orange County State Science Fair. Received an award from UCLA Brain Research Institute at the State Science Fair.
Hospital volunteering
On board of a club which raises funds to help North Korean refugees.
Varsity Lacrosse (2yrs)
My parents are not very keen on the idea of paying for my college tuition, so I will need a substantial scholarship to pay for UC schools. They definitely have the money to do so, so I won’t be getting any need-based scholarships. Based on my application, what are my chances for getting merit-based half or even full scholarships to lower-tier UCs, such as UC Riverside, UC Santa Cruz or UC Santa Barbara?
UC’s give little merit aid and most scholarships have a need-based component to go along with merit like Regents. Run the Net Price Calculators for each UC. Regents at UCR is $10K/year, at UCSC it is $5K/year and UCSB is $6K/year.
With your stats have you considered private schools which may give you more merit?
I suggest you look at all the schools website to see what scholarships they offer. UCLA has a full ride scholarship for ME majors to consider.
UC’s expect a parent contribution regardless if they want to pay or not.
Thanks @Gumbymom ! Are there any privates or CSUs that cost a bit less? I am not looking for top tier colleges at this point, but mediocre colleges with a solid program and good scholarships. I will be working in college most likely, so I hope that will allow me to get a loan and pay it off. But basically, are there any low-mid tier privates known for giving good merit-scholarships and are not too academically rigorous? And how are merit-based scholarships at CSU schools?
Regents scholarships are possible, with your stats, but not high probability for anyone. Just apply to all UC’s and see where the cards fall. My son got regents at 2 UCs, (but did not take either).
I am also Asian Indian, and I am ashamed for your parents for saying they will not pay even for a UC, which with in-state tuition is quite reasonable for the quality of education you will get.
Apply to Rhodes College. They offer great scholarships to top students and have a very good Pre-med program. They are a not well known private LAC and another CC student with your stats was accepted there, with a full scholarship and then attended Yale Med school.
Private colleges have much more $$ for merit scholarships than public colleges, with the exception of a few like U alabama, which I agree, you SHOULD apply to, and quickly.
Here is a link to colleges that offer merit scholarships.
Scroll down to post #3 and good luck. http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/financial-aid-scholarships/2006094-2017-automatic-full-tuition-full-ride-scholarships-p1.html
@kalyannath2000 With your high stats and financial situation you should be chasing big merit scholarships far and wide. Some may be automatic (like @mom2collegekids noted above re Bama), and some may be competitive. Need to get laser focused as priority deadlines are approaching - 11/1 for many. So in addition to UC apps which are not due until end of Nov, pick a few+++ schools where you have a shot at full tuition and/or a full ride and get the apps submitted this week.
FWIW - the Bama app takes about 10 minutes to complete.
@rgosula It’s my fault they wont pay. I messed up my relationship with them, so they are justified in what they are doing. Its up to me to correct it by getting a proper education myself
Well, this should be interesting if you are willing to share. Sounds like that is what you should work to fix, and other things will fix themselves.
Now to the helpful part of my comments:
University of Arizona
Arizona State
University of Utah
University of Alabama
University of Nebraska
Northeastern University
University of Southern California.
Top 5 will give somebody with your stats close to a full ride.
Bottom 2 are a little higher ranked, with sizeable scholarships, but not full ride, and not high percentage chance.
But there are better threads for that kind of info.
Some of these might have Nov-1st deadlines for scholarship consideration.
OP, did you end up getting accepted somewhere with enough merit $$ for you to attend? I hope so!
BTW, the life lesson you learned (as indicated in your post #9) may, in some ways, be the most important thing you learn over the next 4 years! I’m rooting for you!
