I’ve messed around in high school far more than I should’ve. Earlier, I thought that I could get into at least one decent UC (I’m in California), but after seeing how pretty much everyone got rejected last year, it’s starting to look pretty bleak. Look, I also know that I’m not the worst candidate either, so perhaps I am looking for some degree of validation. But here are my stats:
SAT: 1450
790 math
660 English (have until the end of the year to retake Sat)
24/24 Essay (assuming I can superscore that thicc 24 for non-UCs)
GPA: 4.0 W, 3.5 UW
ECs:
2016 county science fair: 1st place category award
2017 county science fair: Nothing, except for a 2nd place special award
2018 county science fair: 1st Place category, 4 1st place special award, $1500 Chevron Scholarship, acceptance to California State Science Fair
Int. Dark sky representative for the 2nd largest astronomy club in the Bay Area. (Essentially I reach out to members of my community to reduce light pollution).
Currently earning hours to get a private pilots license. Trying to fly solo prior to most of my apps.
Volunteer hours: 150 over 3 years. (Mostly under astronomy and a medical program where I helped out with sports injuries after school).
Subject tests -
Math II: 800 (Hopefully)
Bio: Anywhere from 500-750 (idk lol)
Major of Choice: Aerospace Engineering or Physics
Colleges I’m trynna get in (ranked from most favorable): -
Georgia Tech
UC (B, SB, SD, D, I)
UMich
Virginia Tech
Texas A&M
Univ. Colorado, Boulder
Ethnicity: Asian
You need to calculate your UC GPA and post your UW UC GPA, Capped weighted UC GPA and Fully weighted UC GPA.
https://rogerhub.com/gpa-calculator-uc/
Your UW GPA of 3.5 is not bad and your SAT score is well within all the UC ranges for admitted 2018 Freshman. UC’s tend to be very GPA focused so if your UC capped weighted GPA is below a 4.0, then the top UC’s like Berkeley and San Diego may be tough. UCD and UCI are within Reach.
Some UC statistical data so you can gauge your chances. I am not too familiar with your out of state options, but you need at least 2 safety schools on your list.
2018 UC capped weighted GPA averages and not major specific. Competitive majors/STEM will have higher GPA’s and test scores.
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
Freshman admit rates for UC GPA of 3.80-4.19 (capped weighted):
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%
Dang. My capped gpa is a 3.77. Im screwed. I’m going to have to get that SAT score up above 1500 if I have any chance at something like UCI or UCSB
A high SAT score can help but still at least for the UC’s your academic record is Very Important. Your GPA will also be taken in context within your HS so a competitive HS can help your chances. Overall you are a competitive applicant but the UC’s have been tough admits so you should include UC Riverside, UC Santa Cruz, San Diego State, CSU Long Beach or Cal Poly Pomona as solid Match and Safety schools since you can never predict the UC’s.
Best of luck.