<p>Am I just crazy to even think about applying to all the UCs?
Within them, I have my reaches, matches and safeties.
Yes, I understand that not all of them have similar characteristics.
But I think UCs offer me the best chance since I'm in state.
So is it worth applying to all of them?
I will be applying to OOS colleges but my parents prefer UCs because they are cheaper. So basically, my parents are against safeties that cost a lot. On the other hand, matches ans reaches OOS are fine since they are harder to get into.</p>
<p>I know I will apply to them but I'm just not sure if it is WISE to apply to all of them. Thanks!</p>
<p>Oh and also, do you think the UCs will think I'm desperate applying to all of them????</p>
<p>I'd cut out Merced. Also, looking at the application fees<em>, it's $540 to apply to all of the UCs. Doesn't seem worth it to apply to *all</em> of them.</p>
<p>Actually, if you meet the minimum qualifications - which you can calculate and which I assume you do meet - you can be sure of being admitted to Riverside or Merced - check them out and choose one for your safety. They are very different; it shouldn't be hard to make this decision. UC Santa Cruz is a very unique college within the system - look it over carefully and if it meets your needs by all means apply there too. My kids were all very negative about UCSC (to my dismay) and didn't (won't) apply there. Irvine, Davis and Santa Barbara have similar admissions standards but very different academic strengths and campus cultures, as well as being divided North/South. I'd suggest you think it over and eliminate one, unless your grades and test scores are kind of marginal compared to these schools historical admissions numbers, in which case you may want to roll the dice at all three in anticipation that you may only be accepted at one. I think that UCD's admissions formula is available on line - you can determine fairly accurately what your chances of admission there are. </p>
<p>UCSD's admissions formula is available; check it out and see if you are close to last year's cutoff. If you're a long way below - why bother? Berkeley and UCLA use a more holistic approach, so it's harder to determine your admission's prospects at those schools, but do determine your UC GPA and compare it to the published admissions statistics. For example, less than 3% of UCB applicants with a UC GPA below 3.7 are admitted. If you fall into that group and don't have something truly unusual in your application, you might elect not to spend that $60. All in all, it generally doesn't make too much sense to apply to more than about 5 UC's - but it's only money.</p>
<p>The UC's are all great school - honest. I'm sure you can find a great match at whichever one you choose. And no, they won't think you're desperate. Many students apply to several, admissions are done separately at each campus, and I don't think they even track which applicants have applied to other schools.</p>
<p>i applied to 3 UCs (LA, SD, and Irvine because of guaranteed admission), then threw out a "reach" to USC (which i had almost the same chances as UCLA). in fact, those were the only schools i applied to, and i'm sure i would have been at least pretty happy with any choice...</p>
<p>...granted, i ended up at USC, but hell the UCs were worth a shot huh? haha. i recommend you narrow your choices down because some UCs really are just on different levels academically and socially, and throw maybe one or two out to private schools in CA if you wanted to stay in state.</p>