My plan is to go big or go home and apply only to schools ( mostly UC’s) that I truly want to be at or go to CC and then transfer after 2 years to one of them.)
I have a 2.9 GPA, yeah I understand its really bad but I have suffered many personal problems in high school and it has had an effect in my academics. However, I’m prepared to face the reality that it is never going to change and I just have to deal with that. My parents, both Irish immigrants, hardly had an education growing up. My dad dropped out after 6th grade to work for his family and my mom didn’t receive a college education, so I would be the first person in my family to attend college. I am a California resident who plays women’s rugby and hope to continue playing wherever I go to school. I am one of the first leaders of a sound/music program at our school. I run a recording studio at my school, organize every music event, run sound for every music event and run recordings for every event. Even with my struggling to learn in high-school, I have been able to find things I am good at and have learned to be a hard worker in many aspects. Because of this, it has kept me with a mindset that I can have a good future no matter what happens, which is really good for me.
Major I plan to take: Criminology - I want to work and serve for my community in helping and bringing justice to others. Im not sure what job I would like, but I’ve been exploring a lot of options 
UC’s I want to apply to: Honestly, I will probably apply to all just incase but I am hoping maybe UCR, UCI(they have a really good criminology program) , UCM or UCD… UC Berkley would be a dream to play rugby for but I understand getting into here or even to any of these will be a push.
The only reason I truly haven’t given up in going to a UC due to my grades is because I have done things through my high school career that have helped me so much in learning how to be a leader/ hard-worker and through getting success from working for others ( electives, sports) That being said, I am still in understanding that I might not have a chance.
The reason I am writing this is because I want to know if any of you guys have gotten in or heard of people getting in with a GPA lower than a 3.0? Is it possible? With what I want to major in and how I have done in high school, not just grade wise, but overall, is it possible at all for me?
Im also planning to apply to Michigan State and Arizona State but I would rather stay in the state I live in.
I’ve heard UC Merced take some people under 3.0… also tell us your UC GPA, not your unweighted GPA, but don’t be surprised if you don’t get in. Honestly, I’m a big fan of the community college system here in California, and I think if you go to an established community college with a decent transfer rate to a UC, then you’ll be much more happy. Going into a big UC with 400 students in a class without the maturity of having strict studying habits can be detrimental. I would say your best shot is applying to merced and maybe riverside, but imo community college is the way to go if you want to end up at a UC fully prepared. Work hard in community college and you will be much more prepared than you probably will be after graduating high school.
It is possible. But you must meet testing requirements. I’ll give you a link if you want.
thank you iamjack that is very realistic and it probably might end up being my path, either way I think Ill be happy. Thanks for your input
michelle426 I would absolutely love that, thank you so much
are you in state or out? I know that UCR is a “hidden gem” for the UC system. Davis is also a good way to go. I would say every UC is phenomenal other than Merced, i dont know too many people that go there and like it. The UCs do have a holistic approach to reviewing apps so just make sure you stress how your GPA was affected by your personal life. regardless of that, youre ECs and your work ethic will be more than enough to carry you to any of the UCs, maybe even UCLA and berkeley
- You need to have a minimum UC GPA of 3.0 as an in-state applicant to apply to any UC.
http://rogerhub.com/gpa-calculator-uc
- If you do make the cutoff, you also need to meet the a-g course requirements with grades of C or higher.
http://admission.universityofcalifornia.edu/freshman/requirements/a-g-requirements/
What are your test scores and EC’s? Based off your posted Stats, you do not qualify for a UC with your GPA. If your UC GPA is above 3.0, it is highly unlikely you will be able to get an acceptance other than maybe UC Merced.
I gave you a link that shows the average UC GPA/SAT/ACT scores from last year for each UC. You can judge for yourself if it is even worth trying to apply. Your best chances would be to attend a CC and use TAG to transfer into a UC.
http://admission.universityofcalifornia.edu/counselors/files/uc-freshman-application-data.pdf
You have an interesting story to tell and your essays may give you a boost but the UC’s are very Stats driven especially UCI/UCD. If you are a recruited athlete, then this would be a different story.
Good Luck.
Redcom- the minimum allowable GPA for admission to any UC is 3.0. With your current GPA your application will not be considered for admission. It is pretty expensive to submit an application to a UC -around $75 per school. Don’t waste your money applying when you do not qualify! Your plan to go to a community college is a great idea. Go to a cc got 2 years, get a feel for college, and get your GPA up. It will save you a lot of money too! Then apply to transfer after 2 years. Don’t limit yourself to UC’s- some of the Cal States are very good. They have smaller campuses and classes and you may find you get more attention. Good luck!!!
jcswift, im in state and I’ve already written the common ap essays for UC about how my high school experience has been. I wrote one with the “show don’t tell” technique about a situation in my life that I have learned a lot from and learned good working talents I have taken in from it. I wrote the other one in a technique like it about my family and what Ive taken up from them. Both came out really good and my recommendation letters are also good. Im really trying to take everything I have worked for outside of academics to show Ive still worked hard on aspects in my high school career. Thank you!!
Gumbymom Thank you! Yeah this is exactly what I thought. I know it says you must have a 3.0 but then again I have heard of people getting in with less than that, which I don’t understand. I have never received a D or F or have failed a class. I meet the a-g requirements. A good reason that I wanted to go for this is to see if I could play rugby for one of these schools. If I apply and just do not get into any I think I will still be happy with a CC.
Takeitallin Thank you so much! Yeah I would be happy with going to a CC, I was just in hopes I could be recruited for one of the UC’s rugby teams, because they have teams I would be very interested in.
On the common datasets for the UC’s, you will see accepted students with less than 3.0 GPA but this is unweighted. You need to calculate your weighted UC GPA with the link provided. What are your test scores?
The UC’s highly consider GPA/Test Scores/HS course rigor and essays when reviewing an application. Getting recruited by one of the UC’s would be your best chance as a Freshman admit. If not, then using TAG, you can apply for transfer in 2 years if you meet all the requirements for all the UC’s except UCSB (engineering),UCSD, UCLA and UCB which do not participate in TAG.
http://admission.universityofcalifornia.edu/transfer/guarantee/
Think of going to a CC as a slight detour on your journey to a UC. Keep working hard and you will end up in a great school.
Gumbymom wow thank you this is super helpful. Sorry one more question, what if my GPA goes up to a 3.0 during my senior year? Can that do anything?
UC’s do not consider Senior year grades in their admission decisions unless you are a borderline applicant, then they may send you a supplemental which will ask for your 1st semester/quarter grades. Usually your Senior grades are only used to maintain your provisional admission once you are accepted. GPA is 10-11th grades only.
okay, thank you so much this has helped me. I used rogerhub and entered in only my grades from 10-12 like the requirement stated and it is actually a 3.0! So I can apply its just really pushing. Thank you for everything!
That’s all your weighted is, 3.0? That will be a very tough admit. Do you know if Rugby recruits? Have you tried to contact any coaches?