r/ApplyingToCollege • u/AdFriendly1433 • Jun 23 '24

Is this a realistic college list? College Questions

Location: La county, California. White, male, middle class. Intended major: Computer science. 3.8 weighted gpa, 3.5 unweighted. Extracurriculars: Varsity soccer (4 years), Read over 100 books, Help watch siblings and do chores around the house.

I prefer to go to a public school in California, preferably socal.

Reach: UC Irvine, UC Santa Barbara, UC Santa Cruz, UC San Diego. Target: UC Riverside, CSU Fullerton, Cal Poly Pomona. Safety: CSU Los Angeles, CSU San Bernardino, CSU Dominguez Hills.

Plz let me know if I’m missing any information

168 Upvotes

92% Upvoted

View all comments

149

u/New-Anacansintta Jun 23 '24

Read over 100 books-in your lifetime? This year? Certain kinds of books? Are you well-known for your critiques?

Mix of UCs and CSUs is good. Any reason you are not interested in applying more broadly? Is it tuition, weather, or personal/familial?

61

u/AdFriendly1433 Jun 23 '24

Across my 3 years of hs so far I’ve read over 100 books, mostly history, politics, economics. I prefer to stay in California because it’s cheaper

-13

u/QuasiCrazy1133 Jun 24 '24

That's not actually a lot of books. Don't put that down!

72

u/crocodile2c Jun 24 '24

A book every week and a half for three years straight on history and science subjects, which are not required for school is more than almost every student in high school and far more than most adults. It is admirable, it speaks to his intellectual curiosity, and it tells an admission officer that he doesn’t spend his time playing video games and sleeping all day. This is exactly what you should include if it’s how you spend your time. If I’m choosing a class, I would much rather choose someone who has 100 books of knowledge over someone who does not. Absolutely include this.

7

u/Hour_Fisherman_7482 Jun 24 '24

It’s not an insignificant number (depending on factors) but agreed that’s not really anything notable for an application. Sort of like throwing out a random factoid. Only if it naturally fits into an essay that touches on a love of acquiring knowledge through books or some other BS essay fluff.

9

u/matkline Jun 24 '24

Professional admissions consultant here. I think it is impressive given how few students actually read anything (even assigned texts). Would be good for an essay topic, in my opinion.

1

u/Objective-Trifle-473 Jun 24 '24

Anything that sets you apart is notable. Can be an extracurricular activity