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Stats:
SAT: 1310 (670M/640V)
SAT II: Still havent taken them, but lets assume around 700 for all.
GPA: 3.24 UW
Trend: 2.9 F/ 2.9 S/ 3.6 J/ 3.75? S
Race: Non-mexican hispanic
Residency: CA resident
Rank: School doesnt rank
EC: Average.
900 Student college prep high school.

Well, my first choice is definately berkeley. Its definately a reach but i know i can handle the workload if id get in. My safeties are USD and UC Santa Cruz.

What im looking for:

Staying on the west coast would be great, but im willing to go nearly anywhere in the country except alaska, alabama, and texas. My major will either be astrophysics or neuroscience. I hate cold weather but im gonna have to deal with it... so its fine. Ive been looking at schools for a while now and ive got a little list of the ones im interested in. Please evaluate the list and tell me if it would be a reach, match, or safety. Either i judge myself harshly, or basically every school on my list is a reach.

Finally, id love a good social scene with a generally liberal population. Thats not as important as academics, but ive gotta unwind sometimes...

Schools in no particular order:

University of Wisconsin - Madison
Lehigh
UCSD
Berkeley
Tulane
Vanderbilt
Pepperdine
U Mich - Ann Arbor
Emory

Feel free to add some match schools because most of these schools admissions stats are intimidating me. What should i do? Should i study my ass off for sat II or do i have no chance? Any time for early admission? Where? I know thats a lot of questions, so let me just say that all helpful responses are GREATLY APPRECIATED!

thanks,

culov

By Clickspring (Clickspring) on Saturday, October 25, 2003 - 03:52 am: Edit

University of Wisconsin - Madison
Lehigh
UCSD
Berkeley
Tulane
Vanderbilt
Pepperdine
U Mich - Ann Arbor
Emory

With on a 3.2 GPA and a 1310 SAT, I'd say all of those schools are out of your reach. Really, they're very competitive schools to get into.

Have you considered California State University in Los Angeles? http://www.calstatela.edu/ Or California State University Northridge? http://www.csun.edu/

You might want to check them out

By I1lmatics (I1lmatics) on Saturday, October 25, 2003 - 11:48 am: Edit

well what's your gpa weighted?

By Culovv (Culovv) on Saturday, October 25, 2003 - 01:53 pm: Edit

Dont have my weighted gpa but it would only be a bit higher. GPA would have been 4.0 last year if not for "Catholic Morality" and 7th period "Journalism" which were total bulls*it classes. If my catholic classes are taken out, my UC UW gpa is 3.45. High school is also really competitive. Ive got no doubt in my mind that i would have had 3.9-4.0 at the public schools around my house. In fact, ive seen total morons get kicked out of my school with 2.5 and get almost all a's at a local public school. Either my school is really difficult, or THESE public schools are pathetically easy. Too bad the admissions director at UCSD told me... and i quote, "We dont even look at what school you came from."

By Culovv (Culovv) on Saturday, October 25, 2003 - 02:07 pm: Edit

If it matters, ive taken a couple math/comp sci courses at a local jc. A's in both of them. Im currently taking 1, taking 1 more next semester, and 3-4 during the summer so ill be able to start as a sophomore wherever the hell i go.

By Carolyn (Carolyn) on Saturday, October 25, 2003 - 02:34 pm: Edit

How about Purdue? Excellent astrophysics program and growing neuroscience program. Would be a match for your stats. Arizona State University also has good neuroscience and astrophysics programs. The University of Arizona might be another choice worth looking at.

For smaller schools, take a look at Lawrence University in Wisc - they have a nice neuroscience program and also a decent physics program. In the Pacific Northwest, look into Reed, Whitman, and Willamette. On the east coast, Dickinson and Bucknell might be possibilities.

By Smoldyr (Smoldyr) on Saturday, October 25, 2003 - 03:11 pm: Edit

What you got against Alabama?

By Culovv (Culovv) on Saturday, October 25, 2003 - 05:12 pm: Edit

Nothing that i could put into writing. Last time i was there i had this eerie feeling that people were watching me or something. Not personal, i just dont feel comfortable there. Thanks for the replies so far. Ive checked out some of thoese schools and am considering applying to purdue. What are my chances at berkeley? its definately my first choice and id do pretty much anything possible to be accepted.

thanks again,

culov

By Culovv (Culovv) on Sunday, October 26, 2003 - 04:53 pm: Edit

bump