Hi, i’m wondering what my chances are to get into schools like Ucs or Ivyleagues.
my current high school is ranked in the top tens of our state, and is known to be harder than any high schools nearby; i have 1 B in freshman year; 6 Bs in sophomore year (I have an unfortunate reason for that), and 2 Bs currently as a junior.
My ACT score is 34 (34,34,34,35), and i participate in national competitions for piano, and i have earned my President’s Volunteer Award.
What are my chances?
Thank you very much!
I forgot to add, I took 2 Honors (Precalc H and Chem H) in sophomore year, and 3 APs (AP chemistry, AP Calc ab, and AP Language and Composition) currently.
Also 2 years of track jv, 1 year of cross country jv.
What is your gpa? GPA matters more than test scores at many schools, and the ivies and top UCs will be reaches for you as they are for most due to the crazy competition.
Your ACT score is high enough for the top UCs and Ivies like you noted.
Your grades are pretty average, but since you have a high ACT and appear to have a great EC, I wouldn’t say you have no chance at all. Like jennacwa said, it’ll likely be a reach with the Ivies and with Berkeley and LA.
Much will depend on your major, but in general, Mid to Top Tier UCs will be difficult to gain admission into. Additionally, unless you have some hooks, the Ivies are completely out of the question. You have a good chance at UCSC, UCR, and UCM, however.
@jennacwa my gpa is 3.7 unweighted, 3.9 weighted
@xclaner thank you very much! I’m wondering though, if I have a very solid reason as to why my grades took a severe dip in sophomore year, would it compensate my low gpa? As in, if I let colleges know the challenges that I faced and how I overcame them, would it help in any way?
@uclahopefull the major I’m interested is pre-med… would that be more competative and lower my chances? thank you!
Are you instate for California?
What’s your parents 'budget for your college?
If you’re instate California, a 3.9 weighted would mean UCD/UCSB for reaches, UCSC for a match. You’d also have a shot at CSU Long Beach even from outside service area thanks to our act, sdsu, cpp, and Sonoma State would be a safety.
If you’re not instate California, forget about it. Oos premeds need to choose states where their chances at med school aren’t shot from. The get go. (California med school prioritize instate applicants and since there are way more qualified instate applicants than spots, oos applicants simply never make it… And many calories applicants go across the country.)
Ivy League universities are out of reach unless you have special circumstances for your B 's but, most importantly, lack of extra curricular achievements.
@MYOS1634 , thank you!
I do live in California, and my parent’s budget is pretty high.
Do I have enough ec? I didn’t mention a Cryobiology Internship at the University of Washington.
I do have special circumstances for my Bs as well… I think they qualify enough to explain the sudden grade dip.
Do explain your circumstances! If your GC knows about them, get them to mention them as well.
I talked a bit about my problems which lowered a few grades in a few interviews and they interviewers said to make sure I mentioned it in my app (and I talked a little about it in a couple of essays) What sort of reason was it anyway? Family…illness…(only if you’re comfortable saying of course!)
Other than that, your ACT is great and I’m sure you have a chance. What’s your intended major? Do you have any ECs linked to it?
@greenstudent family and relationships circumstances!
thank you so much, i feel more relaxed now xP
also, im intending to shoot for biomed, and i had that internship in cryobiology at UW seattle, but that’s my only link!1!
It’ll be more powerful if your gc writes about it.
I have the same problem as you; I’ve received a 34 on the act but am only ranked in the second decile in my class. Hopefully this won’t hold us back.
“if I have a very solid reason as to why my grades took a severe dip in sophomore year, would it compensate my low gpa?”
Not for Ivies. First, there will be thousands of applicants who triumphed over “issues” and got top grades. Second, the non-A’s hint you are not as prepared as A kids for the actual college classes at a rigorous college. 6 B in soph and 2 (so far) in junior is tough. They look at the transcript. Third, if anyone else from your hs or nearby applies with a stronger record, well, you know that affects you.
B’s in electives matter less. Start looking at the next tier, you’ll probably find some great colleges you haven’t thought of yet. Get a Fiske guide. Sorry, this is hard, I know. But you have to be realistic.
@MYOS1634 what is a gc?
@lookingforward omg… that is true 
what can i do now though >< also, turns out i only got 1 B junior yr first semester, in ap chemistry.
but still, thanks for the realistic advice, it is very much appreciated!!
Gc = guidance counselor
Get a Fiske guide, or Princeton Review 's Best colleges, or Insider’s guide to colleges. There are lots of excellent colleges ou’ve never heard of, simply because they’re not near you or don’t have a winning football team.