Hi I’m a senior in high school living in Canada looking to apply to schools in the California area as recently my family has moved there. I live in Alberta which has the hardest education system in Canada. My overall average percentage from grade ten to so far grade twelve is 84% but my mark without grade ten is 86%. I have received honour awards all throughout junior high and high school and have volunteer experience in education and outside of school affairs.
I am interested in applying to San Diego state and UC Santa Cruz as they are both in a good range to my family. Pepperdine has also caught my attention as my cousin did her major there.
When I apply to these schools, because the American curriculum is a lot less advanced in comparison to the Canadian education curriculum, will my average GPA become a higher grade or will they take into consideration the harder course work Canada has?
If anyone could tell me my chances of getting in to those three that would be helpful, or even suggest other schools in the California area.
You are a Canadian citizen? You do know that you will be paying OOS/International rates at UCSC and SDSU for this first 1-2 years until your parents establish residency?
I am not familiar with your grading system but I read somewhere that an 84% is around an A- or 3.6-3.7 on the US scale? Have you taken the SAT and/or ACT? Either one is needed for admission to one of these universities.
SDSU is all about the numbers. GPA and Test scores. UCSC will use your GPA,Test Scores, HS course rigor, essays and extracurricular activities on their application review. Pepperdine is similar to UCSC except letters of recommendation are also considered and they have a emphasis on church involvement.
Without test scores, I cannot chance you but your GPA looks within range for these schools.
I scored a 600 on writing, 600 on math, and 580 on reading for my SAT… so a total of 1780
and for Pepperdine my dad is a Pastor and director of a Christian homeless shelter… would this be helpful?
SDSU and UCSC are really far from each other. Has your family settled in one particular area?
no I have family scattered in California and also in Arizona!
Have your parents moved to California?
no they plan on moving in a couple years
If your parents are not moving to California anytime soon, then you will be paying OOS rates for all public universities; Cal States and UC’s. Cal States cost around $35K/year with little to no financial aid and UC’s around $55K/year.
Can your family afford these costs? Expect to pay full fees. Pepperdine might be your best chance since their costs are not based on residency status, however, your stats are not high enough for significant merit aid. Run the Net Price Calculators on any schools of interest to see what your costs will be to attend.