<p>So I'm a sophomore in high school still, so I know it's a bit early to think about colleges. My dream is to go to UCSD. </p>
<p>I go to a pretty competitive high school in the SF bay area. Anyways, I think all my dreams have been crushed. For freshman year, I got 6 Bs, 7 As and 1 C. For first semester this year, I got 2 Bs (in weighted classes), and 4 A's. I have a D in Photo, but if I make up work I missed I <em>might</em> (very BIG might) get an A. See, I missed school because of depression this year, and I've had depression for a while before this year. Still, I don't think that will pass as an excuse.</p>
<p>For this semester, I've been forced to audit math. I've dropped history, and I have to make it up later. For Chemistry, I think even if I make up all the work, I'll get a C+ at best, maybe a B-. But it's weighted so I guess its not that bad. Wow. That's coming from an Asian here. That is VERY VERY sad. I should just die in a hole. Should I drop chemistry and take it over summer? I feel like that will make me more depressed though... plus what would i tell my friends? Would a C in an honors class reflect very badly? </p>
<p>And then there's my lack of extracurriculars. I've done cello for a while (9.5 years), but I'm probably really bad at it because I haven't played for 3 months. I've been in orchestra, should I quit? Or go to a different one? What else could I do with music? I enjoy writing (poetry - esp. haikus and fiction), or at least I used to. My writing is crap now. I also enjoyed photography. I also used to like running and swimming; I kind of want to try either gymnastics or diving. Maybe field hockey or soccer. But maybe they're too expensive. I like classical mythology. I also want to do science research and submit to science fair. But I can't find any mentors. My dream is to become a doctor but it's pretty hopeless. I was going to found two clubs next year but I think it's not going to happen.</p>
<p>Am I without hope to get into UCSD? I would like to graduate with people in my grade...</p>
<p>I just got accepted to UCSD, with a 3.82 UC GPA and 1940 sat.
UCs do not even look at freshman year, only sophomore and junior years.
If they looked at freshman years I would have been rejected. Lol</p>
<p>What’s a UC GPA?
Also what extracurriculars did you do/</p>
<p>It’s the A-G course grades from sophomore to junior year.
I was in varsity football, mens league board(service club), played travel baseball, was part of a dance group that won first at two competitions, and was in MUN.
Also I’m Hispanic.
I know people who had higher grades than me get rejected?, it seems so random.</p>
<p>^Being Hispanic is a hook. The average SAT/ACT scores are lower for hispanics than whites (or Asians). Unfortunately for OP, the average test scores of Asians are higher than whites. </p>
<p>Work to get mostly Bs/As. Do well on your SAT. It’s still possible. Also, you probably should do an Arts Supplement when you apply (recording of you playing cello). </p>
<p>Colleges like an upward trend in gpa and most value junior year grades the most. If you don’t get into UCSD it’s not the end of the world. There are many great colleges and it’s always an option to try CC for a few years then transfer. </p>
<p>We’re you diagnosed with depression? Because if so that would be something you’d want to put on your app. It’s a health reason that may help explain some of the poorer grades.</p>
<p>I was just rejected to UCSD with a 3.96 GPA and a 2200 SAT. I also go to a competitive school in the SF Bay Area. </p>
<p>Know that UCs do not even look at your freshman or senior year grades. A “UC GPA” is the only thing that they look at in terms of grades, and it is composed of ONLY your weighted sophomore and junior year grades. </p>
<p>I had strong ECs too, not sure what happened haha. I have done karate for around 14 years and taken two gold medals in tournaments, and I teach occasionally as well. I had between 200-300 community service hours, including a lengthy trip to mexico to build houses for free. I was also a member of japanese culture club for 4 years, where we volunteered for several japanese festivals in the area. I’m white so I figured this would be kind of impressive… guess not :P</p>
<p>The admissions this year seem to be really random. I know people with significantly lower stats to mine who have gotten accepted. To be honest, it seems that the best you can do is show dedication as well as diversity in your ECs, and maintain a high GPA - that seems to be the most important. Just keep your head up, it’s just a college. There are always options; you could go to a CC for two years an transfer, you could go to another UC, etc. It isn’t UCSD-or-bust. I wish you luck :]</p>
<p>Yeah, I was diagnosed with depression, but wouldn’t that be a disadvantage? Because of all the shootings/deaths that have occurred from students on anti-depressants?</p>
<p>No, depression is normal for teens in this day in age, coming to you Man up above. </p>
<p>Don’t worry about everything that worried you before. I can relate to your issues and all I can say is that it gets SO MUCH BETTER. Take it from a “failure to a genius.” All I needed was hope and a whole lot of love I made for myself. Now I’m proud to say that I seem to be doing way better than most of the students in my grade…but never look at JUST them. Think nationally, maybe even globally. The world is in a crisis…education comes from inside not outside.</p>
<p>No, it wouldn’t be a disadvantage. It would, if anything, help you. Because that is a medical reason to help explain some poor marks. You just have to make it come across in the right way for colleges. Say how you overcame it and are on the right track now or something like that.</p>
<p>Thanks! It’s very helpful…</p>
<p>should I continue my Chemistry Honors class? I think I can catch up but my grade will not be that good… I enjoy the class, so I want to but my school’s administration thinks it’s TOO MUCH…</p>
<p>bumpitty bump
I don’t think my extracurriculars are strong</p>
<p>like ppl said above, freshman year and senior year doesnt count. I think you shouldnt give up on UCSD yet. Yes, it’s not that easy to get in but it’s not Harvard hard. I’m sure even if you start studying hard now you can make it. Taking into consideration the number of applicants increasing every year and the budget cut that forces the university to admit people from out-of-state and Internationals, my projection is that by the time you apply average SAT will be little over 2000, gpa 4.12~ 4.13 (it’s 4.09 right now), admit rate probably between 28%~33% since it’s 35% now. this means you want to aim at the bottom ladder of ppl who get in. From my perspective being a third year UCSD student, I saw ppl (usually ppl in Sixth college) who make in with 1800 SAT and 3.8 to 3.9. Of course you want to have as high gpa as possible. you might have a good shot if you start showing improvement in grade crank it up to 3.9+ and get 1900+. Of course, with this grade UCSD wouldnt be a safe school but a school worth taking a shot at. get lots of extracurriculars pursue what you like im guessing its music and just do your best. Dont sit there being depressed do something about it and be realistic. haha</p>
<p>Thanks.
I have another question about the UC GPA… Does PE count?</p>