Hi! I was hoping for some college suggestions, and a bit of advice based on my current college list. Im a rising senior (class of 2026), and am looking to get into a fairly good undergrad program for both media studies, and asian american studies (to late go into photojournalism). I don't qualify for any need-based financial aid, but would like to minimize costs as much as possible through merit scholarships etc. I'm multi-racial (white, japanese, korean), and am not a first-generation college student. My parents both have well established careers, and my mother is a professor at USC, which is at the top of my list for the tuition benefit. I live in socal. Some of my stats:
- Predicted 8 ap classes (all 4's and 5's) + some honors by the end of senior year
- 1440 sat (740 english, 700 math)
- 180+ community service hours
- Internship at the longest existing Japanese American newspaper in the US
- School ASB
- Freelance photography with a website I designed myself
- School newspaper for all 4 years (editor for 3, including one year as managing editor)
- Varsity swim captain for 3 years (varsity 4 years)
- JA camp counselor over summer
- visual media editor/curator for two digital zines
- Asian Pacific Islander Student Union's (APISU) national executive board
- Club president of my school's APISU chapter
- Secretary of two other school clubs
My current top choices for college: USC (mom is a professor there), UC berkeley, UCLA, UCSD, UW, UCSB, Vassar (with merit scholarship), BU, UChicago
+ Brown/Cornell/northwestern (unlikely but a girl can dream)
With that being said, any other school suggestions or feedback? Am I being delulu or do I maybe have a chance? Genuinely open to any suggestions or roasts.
You've built an impressive and well-rounded profile — strong academics, leadership, deep community involvement, and a clear passion for media and Asian American advocacy. USC sounds like a great fit, especially with the tuition benefit. Your list is ambitious but reasonable given your background. Consider also looking into Wesleyan (great film/media), Emerson (strong merit aid + journalism), and Occidental (strong AAPI and media studies presence, plus close to home). You're definitely not being delulu — you have a solid shot!
Best of luck — you’re on a great path!
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