I’m looking to apply to most UC’s but prefer UCI the most. I am applying for Fall 2019 as a Neuroscience major.
Stats:
GPA: 3.72 W/3.5 UW
UC GPA: 3.81
AP: APWH(4), APUSH(4), AP Language & Composition(4), AP 2-D Studio Art(3), AP Physics(planned), and AP Biology(planned)
Test Scores: ACT(29 & 29), SAT(1240 & 1310); planning to take one of each once more in December
EC: Key Club(4 years), Filipino Club(3 years, Board member this year), Yearbook(1 year), and various volunteer work(100+ hours)
Other: Part-time fast food job for 3 months
My stats are sub-par but I believe that what sets me apart from others is that I had to move around a lot as a military kid so I never had a solid environment until 10th grade. From grade 9-10 I was largely unmotivated and got averages of 3.5-3.67s each semester, but changed to semester GPAs of 4.00 and 4.17 both semesters of junior year. All my hope is on the fact that I had drastic change in my school work from sophomore to junior year and that I can write on it for my personal insights.
The UC statistical data below shows that UCI would probably be a 50/50 chance with your UC GPA. Your test scores are on target, you have some good EC’s considering you moved around and if you address your life as a military kid in one of the personal insight essays, it could bump up your chances.
UCI admits into the University first and then into the major, so make sure you select an alternate major you would also be happy pursuing. The majority of the UC’s will not be easy with a less than 4.0 GPA so apply widely. Best of luck.
Freshman admit rates for UC GPA of 3.80-4.19 (capped weighted) and not major specific:
UCB: 12.6%
UCLA: 11.7%
UCSD: 38.7%
UCSB: 53.6%
UCD: 56.5%
UCI: 52.1%
UCSC: 75.7%
UCR: 90.1%
UCM: 96.1%
2018 UC capped weighted GPA averages:
UCB: 4.23
UCLA: 4.23
UCSD: 4.16
UCSB: 4.13
UCI: 4.13
UCD: 4.11
UCSC: 3.96
UCR: 3.81
UCM: 3.71
2018 Data:
25th - 75th percentiles for SAT:
UCB: 1360-1540
UCLA: 1340-1540
UCSD: 1300-1520
UCSB: 1270-1500
UCD: 1220-1480
UCI: 1230-1490
UCSC: 1210-1450
UCR: 1130-1380
UCM: 1020-1280
25th - 75th percentiles for ACT:
UCB: 30-35
UCLA: 31-35
UCSD: 28-34
UCSB: 28-34
UCD: 26-33
UCI: 26-33
UCSC: 26-32
UCR: 22-30
UCM: 19-26
UCR and UCM are going to be your best shot. I’d add a few CSUs to your list to be sure you have options - SDSU, CSULB and perhaps CPP.
good luck
Thanks for the response, I’ll go do that.