Acceptance Questions

Pre-College Topics High School Life
1

Hello there! I am a current Sophomore (Junior on June 11th) and I am really worried for my future/college applications.

Here’s the gist of my situation: I have been battling depression for quite a while now and this 10th grade year has been absolutely miserable for me. I got a 3.6 gpa in freshman year, so I really thought I’d do better this year, but that was not the case. I got a 3.0 gpa in my first semester of 10th grade, and now have a 3.2 gpa for my second semester. Luckily, I have been feeling a little better, no more depression. I took 2 aps this year and I signed up for 5 aps for my junior year. I have been studying a lot for the SAT lately, so I guess that’s good? I do have a few ECs like Robotics (design lead), DECA (business speaking group), Science Olympiad, and QuizBowl. I do a little community service. I do make music/am learning and have something due this summer (as in professional music producing).

Here’s my question: Is it possible for me to still apply to UCSD/UCB/UCD/UCLA and get accepted? I know that the college application process varies among schools and they look at everything, but is it still possible? Everyone tells me to just do better next year, get a really good SAT score, and everything should be fine, but I still can’t help but worry, worry, worry. I know community college isn’t a bad choice either, but I would prefer to go to a college straight away. The stress is killing me…

2

I believe that UCs don’t look at freshman year GPA, so you’ll have an easier time of improving that.

3

Well that’s good, but that doesn’t relieve my 3.1 gpa average for 10th grade right? Let’s say I get all A’s for my junior year (4.8 gpa), would that be good enough? (I know getting all A’s is extremely hard, but if possible?)

4

Of course! As of what I know, UCs don’t look at freshman year and only look at sophomore and junior year. Depending on the classes that you took sophomore year (Honors or APs and what not), the UCs weigh it differently by giving credits to 8 classes over the four semesters that give credits (http://rogerhub.com/gpa-calculator-uc/ is the UC GPA calculator). Since you are taking a good amount of APs next year, the advice I would give you is to gets As in those classes so you can raise your weighted GPA (thus your UC GPA as well). UCs look more at GPA than they do at test scores, so the best thing to do is to work very hard your junior year in order for your overall GPA to improve. You seem to have a good amount of extracurricular activities so I think you’ll be fine as long as you get that GPA up. And if you don’t get your GPA up (worst case scenario), study hard for those standardized tests! My UC GPA is not very good (I’m a rising senior), but with higher test scores, there is still a chance at getting accepted to higher-level UCs.
Hope that helps! :slight_smile:

5

Thank you so much! That relieves a lot of stress for me, haha. :smiley: I think I can rest easy for a bit until next year!