Hello All-
I’m looking to go to a University of California school. As an out of state student I’m not sure of my chances and would like some outside input.
White Male
28 ACT (27 English, 31 Math, 10 Writing)
4.0 UC Weighted GPA (5.56 for my school)
Top 7% in class
Eagle Scout, NHS, Student Council Class President, captain of swim team
Lots of service leadership and hours
I have fairly strong essays written too.
I’ve applied to the following schools with the major of Chemistry (letters and sciences, no specific chemistry/science schools):
Berkeley
San Deigo
Santa Barbara
Santa Cruz
Any input would be greatly appreciated.
UCB: Reach
UCSD: Low Reach
UCSB: High Match
UCSC: Match
Your UC GPA is on target for UCSB/UCSC but below average for UCB/UCSD. ACT is also below average for both UCB/UCSD. Essays will help your chances but UC’s are very GPA focused. You can pay full fees $55K/year without FA?
You consider UCD and/or UCI. OOS averages are usually higher than in-state.
UCB Average UC GPA: 4.19 ACT: 31
UCI Average UC GPA: 4.04 ACT:28
UCSD Average UC GPA: 4.13 ACT:30
UCSB Average UC GPA: 4.05 ACT:29
UCSC Average UC GPA: 3.88 ACT: 27
UCD Average UC GPA: 4.07 ACT: 29
UCB and UCSD are high reaches with your test scores. Your very good GPA is still low for those schools. UCSB is a low reach and UCSC is probably a match. Are you able to pay the full OOS costs of $55,000+ per year as the UC’s do not offer aid for OOS students?
The UC’s are very competitive and expensive for OOS students.
Can you afford the UC OOS fees? There is no financial aid nor scholarships for OOS students, so your tuition and fees will run about $55K per year.
Here is a profile of recent admits for Berkeley:
http://admission.universityofcalifornia.edu/campuses/berkeley/freshman-profile/index.html
Do you have a year-long course of visual/performing arts class? Requirement F of the A-G requirements usually throws off many OOS students.
The UC’s do not give extra weight for Honors classes for OOS students.
Right now, I think you’re good for Santa Cruz
http://admission.universityofcalifornia.edu/campuses/santa-cruz/freshman-profile/
I have taken the most rigorous courses possible but the way UC schools calculate GPA has brought me down. Do the UC schools look at the courses? It puts OOS students at a huge disadvantage. I’ve only been able to take 5 AP classes (2 in my senior year).
I won’t be able to pay full tuition out of pocket, so I’ll have to look else where for FA and lots of student loans.
I have taken three years of orchestra.
Your HS schedule will be evaluated in the context of what your HS offers. If you cannot take AP classes until Junior year or you are limited in the amount available to you, it will be noted by admissions.
UC schools are supported by California taxypayers so in-state students should have an advantage in getting into these schools and being able to receive FA. That is life and if you feel it is unfair then do not apply. If you are in-need of FA there is a link below that you could look at for scholarships/merit aid and good FA:
http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/financial-aid-scholarships/1678964-links-to-popular-threads-on-scholarships-and-lower-cost-colleges.html
You as a student will only be able to take out a total of $27K/4 years. The rest will be up to your parents.
FYI: I am a California resident and full pay for both son’s at a CSU and UC. No advantages here.
HopingUC- while the UC’s are great schools, they are not worth $55,000 per year. I’m curious as to why you want a UC. There are great schools that have a much lower COA. What is your home state? Even if you could get a co-signer, almost anyone here on CC would strongly advise you not to go into such debt, especially for an undergrad degree!
Don’t take out huge loans for college when there are other schools that you could get into with some aid; you will not like having to repay those huge loans and not be able to buy a house, car, get married later, etc.
I agree with @Gumbymom, I am also a state resident and also pay full fees for my kids at a UC and one at a California private.
Our state taxes are ridiculously expensive, paid every year, so why shouldn’t my child have an advantage in being able to go to a state school?
I agree with the consensus above, Santa Cruz is your best shot and is not worth a mountain of debt. It probably makes the most sense to stay in your current state and attend a subsidized school there.
If you gotta come to CA - you may qualify for merit aid at private schools like USD and LMU.
Good luck.