Hi,
Since UC’s prioritize GPA and scores over anything else, should I apply to OOS schools? My GPA is a 4.2 weighted and I have taken all AP’s and Honors offered. I still think I won’t have a high chance with so many applicants, especially for the engineering field.
Aren’t you a freshman in high school?
Definitely a HS student but not a freshman - taking dual enrollment courses. The OP’s other threads debate whether to try to enroll at a UC as a transfer student (he’s already been told that doesn’t apply).
OP, a 3.67 UWGPA is not bad. There will probably be a couple of UCs that accept you and certainly some CSUs. Can your family afford full pay at an OOS college (>$45K)?
@juko10: Calculating your UC GPA with at least 4 AP classes would bump up your unweighted GPA by 0.2-0.4. This would make you competitive for several UC’s.
http://rogerhub.com/gpa-calculator-uc/
If you are unsure how to calculate, you can either post your grades for the a-g course requirements or you can PM me and I can help.
@“Erin’s Dad” I’m sure that the college will be able to fulfill my financial needs (I’m sure they would if it is 90%+ need-based). I know that a couple of UC’s would consider me. which is great. But, I have mixed feelings between public and private universities due to class sizes. I feel that a UC’s class size would be terrifyingly crowded which would result in lack of communication with teachers and a high possibility of not getting into the class you desire. On the other hand, a private college would be quite easier to ask questions during class with a small class size.
Another dilemma would be that all the credits I have gathered from CC’s would become useless if I chose to go OOS. But, I have noticed that rushing through college is not wise due to the opportunities of co-op and job fairs available. Although, college is what you make of it. So, it really depends on the person. Thanks for all the feedback.
Hang around the Financial Aid forum for a while. The colleges that meet need are VERY competitive for entry (and GPA and Scores are usually very important for them). Most other schools will just gap you.
“I’ve taken all AP courses…”
“Definitely a HS student but not a freshman - taking dual enrollment courses.”
“I feel that a UC’s class size would be terrifyingly crowded which would result in lack of communication with teachers and a high possibility of not getting into the class you desire.”
Registering for classes is typically a function of now many units one has earned, the more units earned, the earlier chance at registering for classes. Assuming above true and you will earn college credit for AP, wouldn’t that lessen concern about getting into classes you desire?
As to size of class, S was a flavor of bio major. Even in UD classes, there were still large class sizes. But some of his friends with different majors had much smaller class size (eg students sat in circle discussing topic) and getting to know profs was not a problem. So size of class can be major related.
My son attends a very small private school in California where the student ratio is considered to be low.
What they didn’t mention was the fact that the whole admitted freshman class, takes each class together.
Math =248 students in one lecture, physics=248 students in one lecture.
Apply to a range of schools and see where you get in, what you can afford etc.
My D is at LAC and had a very different experience from auntbea’s son. She pretty much has only had pretty small classes (two larger intro. classes of 50-60 – and in both cases the prof. knew each student), most classes are 25-30, and some have been as small as 6. She likes to ask questions, be involved in classroom discussions etc. and has found this environment to be a great setting for her. However, based on the experience above, you can always ask questions like “how many lecture classes are there” etc. in an information session to get a better sense of each school.