<p>I am currently a sophomore at a top private boarding school in the Northeast. I have a GPA around a 3.7. I am taking all honors and AP classes next year, I am active in two clubs, and play sports every season. My dream is to get into UCB, UCLA, USC, or UCLA. If I pull up my GPA to around a 3.8 or 3.9 next year and score around a 2000 or 2100 on my SAT's, what are my chances getting into these schools? Is being out-of-state ok? Please respond and give your honest opinion.</p>
<p>Your fine man</p>
<p>Being out of state won't matter for USC, but it does for the UC's. Here's what I'd say assuming you get a 2000+ on the SAT:</p>
<p>USC: slight reach
UCLA: reach
UCB: reach
UC Irvine, UCSD, UCSB, UC Davis: match</p>
<p>well if it really is a top boarding school, and u get over a 2050
ide say in at all</p>
<p>forget what nschuchert says
a 3.9 at a top boarding school on the east coast is like a 4.5 at a good public school (not amazing public school, btu a good one)</p>
<p>If you have a 3.9 at a top boarding school (AESDCHL), you will be able to get into USC. USC takes many students from the top NE Preps.</p>
<p>Honestly, you will have a much smaller chance at UCB/UCLA, simply because they are public, and won't give you much credit based on your high school. Being OOS really has a major effect on your chances. Take a look at the matriculation list for your school (or any of the top preps) - no public schools will be high on the list.</p>
<p>I think you definitely have a chance at all of them, but being out-of-state for the UCs will definitely have an impact.</p>
<p>assuming that your 3.8-3.9 GPA IS UW and your SAT is 2000+
USC: match
UCLA: slight reach
UCB: slight reach
UC Irvine, UCSD, UCSB, UC Davis: safety</p>
<p>OOS does hurt a little.</p>
<p>Also, someone told me about some eligibility program if your out of state that the UC's have. What is that about? If you meet the requirements does that mean you're automatically in?</p>
<p>Is there a way to manipulate state laws so that one can apply for state residency in Cali? Or maybe even manipulate guardianship laws? cuz i have grandma and aunts in cali</p>
<p>USC: slight reach - match
UCLA: reach
UCB: reach
UCI/UCSD/UCSB/UCI: match</p>
<p>You must live in California for a year in order to be considered a resident.</p>
<p>The estimates above by nschuchert and kyledavid80 are good ones, so I won't bother giving mine.</p>
<p>Here are the OOS enrollment numbers at some of the UC schools to understand how tough it can be getting in as an OOS student:</p>
<p>UC Berkeley: 11% (they have the highest rate mostly because this is the one everyone from OOS wants to go to--especially for engineering and business--and because if you are going to attend a UC and pay the top dollars (OOS tuition is $25,000), you probably want to go to the top school)</p>
<p>UCLA: 5%
UCSD: 2%
UCI: 3%
UCD:2%
UCSB: 5%
UCSC:3%
UCR: 1%</p>
<p>P.S. There are no automatic admit from OOS--although there is a admission program by test scores only program--which applies equally to those in and out-of-state. Lastly, I don't think you are going to see anyone on here suggest illegal methods for trying to work around existing state laws on in-state residency status--and if you did, I'm sure their comments would be removed almost immediately by the admins.</p>
<p>get a 5.0 weighted and your in for sure! xD</p>
<p>dude, you are in, don't worry about it, just try and get straight As this Semester because they don't count Freshman year (Berkeley)</p>
<p>^^ he's out of state, so he very well could be rejected (not just 'cause it's hard, but also because Berkeley draws the line after admitting enough, I think).</p>
<p>You certainly have a legitimate shot at getting into all of those schools. Succeeding at a prestigious boarding school will get you into almost any college in the country.</p>
<p>UCs do not typically give preference to "prestigious boarding schools" - particularly those outside of California. In the comprehensive review process, individual campuses may consider location and residence, but the intent is to give extra consideration to those from lower-performing schools, not the reverse. GPAs will be leveled through the UC GPA calculation - and out of state honors classes are not given extra weight, only AP, IB and community college courses. Only up to 8 SEMESTERS (only four year-long courses) of extra weight will be given, and the gpa calculation will just be for 10th and 11th grades. The official details from UC: <a href="http://www.universityofcalifornia.edu/admissions/undergrad_adm/paths_to_adm/freshman/scholarship_reqs.html%5B/url%5D">http://www.universityofcalifornia.edu/admissions/undergrad_adm/paths_to_adm/freshman/scholarship_reqs.html</a></p>
<p>USC is private, so you might concentrate your efforts there.</p>
<p>And responding to post #8 - No, there is absolutely no "eligibility program" that guarantees UC admission to OUT OF STATE students. The admissions guarantees are for CA residents only. There are minimum requirements - 3.4 gpa and a 147 UC-score total for out of state - but that is the minimum to have your application even considered.</p>
<p>Here is a calculator to determine if you are eligible to apply: <a href="http://www.ucop.edu:8080/eligibilitycalc/begin.jsp%5B/url%5D">http://www.ucop.edu:8080/eligibilitycalc/begin.jsp</a> Eligibility in no way suggests or guarantees admission, it simply means your application will be considered.</p>