Should I bother applying to these east coast schools?

Chance Me / Match Me
1

Hey guys! I’m a CA resident and I’m (obviously) done with all of my UC apps at this point. UCs are absolutely my first choice schools (specifically UCLA/UCSD) and I am hoping to get into one/both. I am also applying to a few east coast schools cause I think it would be cool to see where I stand, and by some miracle, maybe even get accepted to one. I wanted to ask if you think it is worth even applying to these east coast schools. I do not want to apply if there is absolutely no chance of getting in.

The three schools and divisions I am considering are:

  • Cornell (Arts & Sciences)
  • Carnegie Mellon (Mellon College of Science)
  • UPenn (College of Arts & Sciences)
    I will be majoring in biology/biochemistry.

My stats are as follows:

GPA 9-12: 4.40/3.81
GPA 10-12: 4.63/3.80
17 AP classes total by end of HS
9 AP exams so far - all 4s and 5s except 3 in Physics 2
ACT: 35 (36 E, 33 M, 36 R, 33 S, 34 W)
SAT: 1560 (770 R/W, 790 M)
SAT IIs: Math 2 770, Chemistry 770

I’m a National AP Scholar (end of junior year), as well as a National Merit Semifinalist.

My extracurriculars basket, though not overflowing like some others’, is solid. I have been a vocal musician for over 12 years and have performed publicly many times, and I have also done research in a lab with a professor. I also volunteer in a hospital and teach kids a language, weekly.

Do you think I should put in the time and effort to apply to these schools? I would really appreciate your input. Thanks!

2

You have a very impressive resume so I would say why not! You will be a competitive applicant and will have as good of a shot as most of the applicants. Your test scores are fantastic, GPA is good, very good course load, but the only POSSIBLE downside is your extracurriculars which are good, but not great. So give it your best shot and the worst they can say is no. And I would not be surprised if you got into at least 1 of these schools.

3

@diamondking2 Thanks!!

4

I think you should go for them! You seem like an impressive candidate.

5

You have excellent stats and I think you should definitely shoot for these schools!

6

YOUR SCORES ARE WAYYYYYYYY ABOVE average for some of the schools bro ;D you can try ivies as well,you never know you might be accepted! only downside is EC i would say , but you got impressive scores.

EASY, you are admitted = D you could even try georgetown lol, your scores are impressive

7

If the UC’s are your top choice, why waste time and money applying elsewhere? Would you actually attend these other schools if admitted? If that’s the case, then you should apply, but I don’t see how you can claim LA and SD as your top picks.