• College Applications and why the Hell am I panicking over these?!
    50 replies, posted
As some may know, I am a High School Senior, and during this time of my life I am 'sprouting my little wings' and filling out these long, and gruesome, Hellish documents some may call College Applications. I do have seven colleges zeroed into my sights, but I have many questions that Facepunch (and my Counselor that I cannot see until tomorrow, but I want to see if you guys can help alleviate my anxiety first since some of you may have good experience) may know. I live in Southern California (By the way, the AIDS Walk was fun.) and I have these following colleges in my sights. 1.University of Washington 2.UC Riverside 3.UC Southern California 4.UC Irvine 5.Digipen 6.Art Institute Sand Bernardino 7.Cal State Fullerton My (total, final, 'so-far', weighted GPA is 3.222) and I am [b]hauling ass[/b] in my last year and go out with a bang. I scored the following in Advanced Placement Tests United States History: 5 English Composition: 4 Physics: Pending United States Government: Pending The biggest concern I do have is the [b]SAT[/b] this test that basically tests your capacity of taking tests and how you may thrive in college. [b]My score sucks with 1500 out of 2400[/b]. My score is placed in to the following Essay: 10 Reading: 500 Math: 500 Grammar: 500 Now, I will be taking the SAT Subject tests in English Literature and American History and the ACT test just 'cuz. Now, do colleges both [b]consider the SAT I and II together in your application?[/b]. How drastically will my odds go down if my scores from the SATs are just a few points below the range indicated on the Collegeboard site? My scores are mostly just [b]down[/b] below those gray bars. I should also add that I am horrifyingly bad at math (albeit I still pass them and I continue to take more advanced courses, including Physics)
Oh my god that's a shit GPA, no offense. Just work your ass off, you'll be fine.
The SAT only tests how well you take the SAT. Many colleges are moving away from letting standardized test scores significantly influence their decision. Yes, they do consider the SAT I and SAT II's together. If your scores are just a few points below the range, your odds will not go down significantly. Also, your scores on the AP's are really good, and your GPA is pretty good as well. Good luck.
Your SAT scores are fine, anywhere from 13-1600 or so is average. Some schools require you submit SAT II test scores, while others do not, so whether they consider them will vary from school to school. Your SATs being a little low isn't a huge deal as long as the rest of your application is up to par. SAT scores are just one piece of it, and much like high scores don't make an applicant great, low scores won't ruin an otherwise good applicant. Best of luck.
According to colleges youre gonna be a schmo with those grades, do extra stuff like community service and youll be fine.
Star in some gay porn, than write an essay about how you had to suck dick to get into school.
From what I understand, schools consider the ACT to be more representative of how well you do in college than the SAT, so if you do better on those your chances are probably higher (not that your SAT scores are terrible). And your AP scores are pretty good. I'm not sure how "exclusive" any of those schools are, but I would think you have a decent chance of getting accepted into at least one of them (depending on how you do on the ACT). Also, just out of curiosity, what do you plan on majoring in?
Some schools require subject tests, some will just use them for placement, like an AP test. You shouldn't worry too much about your SAT score, but definitely take it again. Your AP scores have shown you can do well on standardized tests, so just review some of the math materials and grammar laws to prepare. Don't bother trying to learn lists of SAT Vocab words, the chances that the words you memorize are on the test are very slim. I'm in the college application process too, and it's stressful as hell. I've heard having a strong essay helps in a lot of cases, but again it's something that depends on the school. [editline]17th October 2010[/editline] oh yeah take the ACT too, some people do considerably better on that.
[QUOTE=ArmyKid93;25475012] Also, just out of curiosity, what do you plan on majoring in?[/QUOTE] I'm thinking of History in General. That or Computer Sciences, Game Art and Design or get a nice ROTC Scholarship and pursue a dual career in both the military and in another of the listed majors. I also have a question for any possible students that are members of the ROTC program. Do you take the Army Physical Fitness test [b]immediately[/b] upon entering college, or do they usually carve you into shape for it?
I thought you got a 10 on your SAT for a second, but then i read the rest
Bahahaha you have the same SAT score as Ke$ha
Have you considered any other UC's? Seeing as how they use the same application and all.
My GPA is 4.6. Pay attention to me. :unsmith:
I'm in the exact same situation, and I'm pretty stressed myself.
This is going to be me next year. I'm a junior right now, and I'm maintain a GPA of somewhere around 3.8 to 4 (I'm not sure how it's shifted this year). I'm taking my SATs in December (and probably two or three more times after that) along with subject tests. I need to get around a 1450 to 1500 in Math and Critical Reading alone for the colleges I want. Basically, I really want to attend Georgetown in their pre-law studies program, with a major in political science and a minor in military science (Army ROTC pre-requisite). I'm pretty sure that you need to pass basic fitness before ROTC begins, and after that, they whip you into even better shape. I wouldn't suggest it for the weak-minded or physically weak, though. Also, before you enter ROTC, make sure that you know you're willing to lay down your life for your country. You don't want to join and go, "Well shit, I don't think I can do this." The end of high school is really stressful, and we're all in the same boat, dude. Don't sweat it if you've gotten what you think to be a low score on your SATs, because you've still got time to improve. Even if your SAT scores don't improve, it's only a test. As long as you interview well, they'll understand. A test can't place who you are as a person, and with your transcript of AP courses, you look phenomenal. And trust me when I say that, because my dad was a high school dropout who wanted to be an engineer, and he got a full ride to RPI without SAT scores or grades. Don't sweat it, man. You'll get there.
[QUOTE=SystemGS;25475715] I'm pretty sure that you need to pass basic fitness before ROTC begins, and after that, they whip you into even better shape.[/QUOTE] You need to do 50+ push-ups from the get-go? I can only get up to 30 in a row. :saddowns:
lol I have a GED and Ive been to college already and going back in January.
[QUOTE=The Rifleman;25474814]Oh my god that's a shit GPA, no offense. Just work your ass off, you'll be fine.[/QUOTE] You think thats shit? I rank 302 out of 369 seniors at my highschool, got a 1530 on the SATs (6 essay, 460 reading, 610 Math, 460 writing) I have a GPA unweighted of 2.30 and a weighted of 2.55.
[QUOTE=CabooseRvB;25475840]You need to do 50+ push-ups from the get-go? I can only get up to 30 in a row. :saddowns:[/QUOTE] I'm not sure of the specifics, but I could be wrong. I know that you at least need to be in good shape with a physical exam taken from your doctor. After that, there's physical training. For Georgetown's Hoya Battalion, I know that there's PT every other day, but it could be different for other schools.
I didn't have to give a shit about applications since I was in the top 10 percent, automatically granting me admission into all of the colleges I applied to. I somehow had a 3.98 GPA though, which is strange considering that I rarely did my work and never gave a shit about high school.
[QUOTE=The Rifleman;25474814]Oh my god that's a shit GPA, no offense. Just work your ass off, you'll be fine.[/QUOTE] i ended highschool with like a 2.5 dont give a fuc and i'm in college.
You should always apply to two colleges you know you'll get into, two colleges you want to get into, and two totally crazy hard to get into colleges on the freak chance you get accepted.
Take the Next SAT ASAP. Otherwise, you're good.
apply to RIT. it's a cool school.
Your GPA and test scores are extremely shitty. However, out of all the universities you're applying to only like 3 are actually competitive (Uwah, USC, and UCI). You basically don't have a single chance of getting into UCI based on your gpa. As for SAT IIs, colleges don't care. They won't count for or against you as long as you pass them in the requirement range. For those thing think that's okay GPA, weighted gpa in southern california basically means +.2 for every class above CP (mine is just a bit over 5). Many UC schools won't take you if your weighted GPA isn't 3.5 or above. [editline]17th October 2010[/editline] [QUOTE=Foda;25476256]apply to RIT. it's a cool school.[/QUOTE] [url]http://uncyclopedia.wikia.com/wiki/RIT[/url] :coolfish:
Like other people have said, the SAT and ACT won't really increase your chance much as long as you meet the required score, but it can still be important as a good SAT or ACT score can get you a good bit of scholarship money.
[QUOTE=Valdrone;25476313]Your GPA and test scores are extremely shitty. However, out of all the universities you're applying to only like 3 are actually competitive (Uwah, USC, and UCI). You basically don't have a single chance of getting into UCI based on your gpa. As for SAT IIs, colleges don't care. They won't count for or against you as long as you pass them in the requirement range. For those thing think that's okay GPA, weighted gpa in southern california basically means +.2 for every class above CP (mine is just a bit over 5). Many UC schools won't take you if your weighted GPA isn't 3.5 or above. [editline]17th October 2010[/editline] [url]http://uncyclopedia.wikia.com/wiki/RIT[/url] :coolfish:[/QUOTE] Weighted GPA means that A's count for 5's instead of 4's, B's count for 4's instead of 3's and so on. It doesn't just increase GPA by a .2 flat rate. It applies to honors and AP classes, and there's no way you have a weighted GPA of 5+
[QUOTE=Valdrone;25476313]Your GPA and test scores are extremely shitty. However, out of all the universities you're applying to only like 3 are actually competitive (Uwah, USC, and UCI). You basically don't have a single chance of getting into UCI based on your gpa. As for SAT IIs, colleges don't care. They won't count for or against you as long as you pass them in the requirement range. For those thing think that's okay GPA, weighted gpa in southern california basically means +.2 for every class above CP (mine is just a bit over 5). Many UC schools won't take you if your weighted GPA isn't 3.5 or above. [editline]17th October 2010[/editline] [url]http://uncyclopedia.wikia.com/wiki/RIT[/url] :coolfish:[/QUOTE] cape-girl lives on my floor :(
OP sounds similar to me. (I also live in Socal.) I'm also applying to those same schools. As a socal resident the minimum GPA to get into those UC schools is around a 3.1 What I would really like to know is your unweighted GPA, as thats what the colleges would be looking at. I've been told getting into UC with a 1500 is nigh impossible. I myself personally took the ACT test and found it wonderfully easy, and have gotten a score of 30 without studying. Retaking it next month. Also get in some extra curricular stuff.
Ignore RIT, they overcharge for what they are. I see you're looking at State Universities though, which is a great place to start, because in-state rates save tons of money. Also, check out the Common Application, you'll save a bunch of time.
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