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I have ~3.6 weighted GPA and ~3.4 unweighted GPA at a top-notch public high school in Northern California. My class rank is in the top 10-15% (not sure exactly).

SAT: 1350 (M: 720, V: 630) and retaking in Oct.
SAT II: Math 2C: 720, Writing: 570, US Hist.: 740
ACT: 29 Comp.
AP: Calc.: 5, US Hist: 4, Eng Lang. 3

Senior Yr Classes:
AP Government
Economics
AP English Lit
3D Design/Art
Spanish 3
Calculus II (Comm. College)

I also took 2 summer school college classes at UCLA over the summer.

I founded a non-profit educational organization and have been President of it for the past few years which has been very successful with over 1000 members of this organization.

I've been in ASB Student Gov. for 3 years and have been in California Scholarship Federation as an officer. I also served as a Student Board Rep. for my school district from my school.

I've also been in Youth & Government and I went to California's American Legion Boys State.

As far as sports, I've played rugby for 3 years at my school.

I'm wondering if I have a shot at Notre Dame (EA) or UCLA as those are my top two choices.

BTW: I'm half african-american and half white.

By Norcalstar (Norcalstar) on Wednesday, September 17, 2003 - 07:31 pm: Edit

Anyone?

By Becks777 (Becks777) on Wednesday, September 17, 2003 - 08:19 pm: Edit

everything in the average range.....ohhh no gpa is way below average....may let you down.
And.............yeah.....forget ND

By Baltodad (Baltodad) on Wednesday, September 17, 2003 - 08:31 pm: Edit

I think you're a solid admit both places.

High class rank trumps GPA. SATs are in the middle 50% range for both schools (your math is at the top of that range).

ECs are quite good. ND will like the leadership positions and the rugby.

Check the box for African American, and you'll get a boost.

By Carolyn (Carolyn) on Wednesday, September 17, 2003 - 09:25 pm: Edit

You do have a shot at UCLA because they look at weighted GPA's in UC approved classes. Notre Dame can be tricky but again, you have a shot. Be sure to emphasize any community service - especially church related community service and get excellent recommendations. Apparently, those two things can sometimes make the difference, according to a counselor at my daughter's school which sends 3-4 students to Notre Dame each year. Applying EA won't hurt either.

By Asknot11 (Asknot11) on Wednesday, September 17, 2003 - 09:59 pm: Edit

How do I put this...you will easily get into ND. Why? Because you are african-american. ND is desperately looking for minorities....

By Rubenizm (Rubenizm) on Wednesday, September 17, 2003 - 10:10 pm: Edit

oh absolutely. You are in. You have scores in the average/low range, BUT you founded a big-ass organization thingy, and you're black. I'm not so sure about ucla but i do agree with asknot that nd is a really good shot for you.
good luck

By Norcalstar (Norcalstar) on Monday, September 22, 2003 - 11:16 pm: Edit

An update on my Academic GPA: 3.83 (W) and 3.58 (UW).

I am also ranked in the top 11% in my class.

Do you think I have any shot at the ivy league schools such as Harvard?

Also, I think I might be getting National Achievement Scholar Semi-Finalist (I haven't heard yet, however).

By Ksolo (Ksolo) on Monday, September 22, 2003 - 11:46 pm: Edit

You do have a shot at UCLA. But that school has really competitive admissions, and you just never know. Sometimes it can be arbitrary with them.

As for Notre Dame, I think you have a better chance with them. Especially since schools like that are always concerned about their student diversity.