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Well, I am new here. I really need help with deciding what schools I may try for. I am not going to write a long intro, so I will just list my stats:
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Personal:

Junior in a National AcaDeca Champion school ('99 and 01' - El Camino Real HS in Woodland Hills, CA)
Russian
Caucasian
Male
Came to the US right before 9th grade.
Was in ESL for 1.5 years (second semester of 10th grade)
Gifted in Math (was put in Algebra 1AA when came here and right now I am in Honors Math Analysis, taking AP Calculus BC next year)

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Classes and GPA:

9th Grade:
Nothing special. My first year in US. No Honors or APs. Took Summer school to get out of ESL sooner.

10th Grade:
Again, no Honors or APs. Got all A's (4.0 GPA overall - weighted and unweighted). Did Cross Country and Track.
Took Algebra 2 at Community College during summer. Got an A there. Also have some college credit for PE summer conditioning class.

11th Grade:
1st Semester: 1 Honors (Math Analysis) and 1 AP (Art History). Got 4.17 weighted GPA - 3.83 unweighted.
2nd Semester: It's almost over. Looking for to get straight A's, but might get 2 B's in regular classes (A's in Honors and AP).
Hoping to get at least a 4 on the AP exam.
Also did cross country and track, however, both seasons I was out due to an injury (still run cross country).

12th Grade:
I am going to take AP Calculus BC and AP Computer Programming. No other Honors or APs. Probably, will do cross country and track if I will be able to (injured right now).

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Awards:
I have a lot of awards, both from Russia and here.
In 10th grade I was Most Outstanding Frosh/Soph Boy (Trophy) and finished 5th in the League Finals (Medal).
Scholar-Athlete Awards and Letters for every semester I did sports.
GSE (Golden State Exam) - High Honors in Geometry. Taking GSE in High School Math (for Math Analysis) next week.
Perfect Attendance Award.
While in Russia, I was doing very well in swimming (have a Diploma and a couple of other awards).
An award for an Outstanding Improvement in CAT6 (Stanford 9) test.

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SATs:
Thats where I have problems.
On SAT I, I got 1130 total (470 Verbal, 660 Math). Should have done much better on Math. Verbal isnt good, but, to be honest, thats what I was thinking I would get (aimed for 500).
Havent taken SAT II yet, but it is not going to be good either (Writing, Math IIc, and 3rd subject is unknown for right now).

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Thats pretty much concludes my stats. I might have left something out.
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Schools I am Thinking About:
Well, right now I just hope that I will get at least somewhere (damn, low self-esteem).

I think I will be doing something with computers in the future. Also, I am very creative, so I might do Computer Graphics or some other type of Arts. Very interested in Web Technologies (I have been doing it for 7 years or so and I just love it).

I am thinking about following schools:
UCLA
UC Berkeley
NYU
Cal Arts
Cal Tech
Pomona University
MIT (but thats just way out of my league)

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OK. I think I covered everything.
Now, I just need some very good advice on what I should do and what schools I might go for.

Thank you for your time and help.

By Proof (Proof) on Monday, May 26, 2003 - 04:28 am: Edit

zzzzz....
help me....

By Bodsul (Bodsul) on Tuesday, May 27, 2003 - 03:14 pm: Edit

hi,
I would have loved to help you,but aint got much ideas,maybe you should just try calarts and pulmona uni.Cos i applied to caltech with 560 verbal and 720 maths but i got rejected.I had 490 writing,800 mathsiic and 720 physics,but i did not get caltech.
So try less demanding schools.

By Proof (Proof) on Wednesday, May 28, 2003 - 02:42 am: Edit

Thank you for your responce...

What about UCLA? Should I have any hope for it?

By Bodsul (Bodsul) on Thursday, May 29, 2003 - 04:12 pm: Edit

Hi,
UCLA is still a big school.

By Highschoolda (Highschoolda) on Thursday, May 29, 2003 - 10:33 pm: Edit

I know someone who was in similar situation and got into UCSD.

I think realisticly, i'd forget about UCLA and Berkley. Definitly, apply but don't get ur hopes up too high.

I think Schools like UCSB, UCSD, UCD are what u have a very good chance of getting into.

Write ur essay about your expirience of comming to America and don't stress too much about English.

Keep up the good work and good luck!

By Bodsul (Bodsul) on Saturday, May 31, 2003 - 02:45 pm: Edit

Hi,
I think highschoolda got a pretty nice idea.

By Proof (Proof) on Sunday, June 01, 2003 - 03:33 am: Edit

Alright... Thank you for your comments...

By Bhoro (Bhoro) on Wednesday, June 11, 2003 - 01:01 pm: Edit

You need to lower your expectations a bit. I apologize if that sounds disheartening, but admissions have gotten much more difficult with the struggling economy and emphasis on education over the past couple of years. You could still attend a prestigious school, but the ones you have listed accept 1300+ students. It sucks, because it is only one test, but its true. That's not to say don't try, but try applying to schools a little less prestigious.

By Uncchlocalmayor (Uncchlocalmayor) on Wednesday, June 11, 2003 - 01:09 pm: Edit

Take the SAT again and study for it.

By Mijo (Mijo) on Friday, July 16, 2004 - 12:52 am: Edit

I am currently a graphic design student attending CalArts. If you are truly interested in a career in graphic design then CalArts in defiantly worth looking into. It is not the only great design school, but it is one of the most unique and experimental. I must say that one year in the graphic design program at CalArts is the hardest thing that I’ve ever done. Ever! However, along with sleepless nights, numb butts, and harsh critiques, comes an incredible knowledge and work ethic. I came out of my first year more confused about design than when I started. (This a good thing!) I mean that I have realized that it’s a much bigger world than I ever thought, and I’ve only begun to smudge the surface. Like I said, CalArts is not the only school out there. Make sure you explore several schools, learn what they have to offer, and find out what’s best for you.

Never lower your standards, or expectations. If you strive for second best you’ll always be second best. Every time you get rejected you must become stronger and more tenacious. You have got to develop thick skin to make it through life. (Something you’ll surely need if you decide on CalArts.)

Good luck with your choice of schools, and careers.