Hi, I’m a senior right now, and college apps on coming closer. I was thinking of applying to UC Santa Cruz. I have and average GPA of 3.3 and my act score is 33. Would it be possible for me to get into this university? Another thing is that I volunteer, but my class load junior year was only one AP and the rest were regular classes. I have consistently improved throughout high school. Now that I am a senior my class load is 2 honors, 3 AP and 1 regular and 2 electives.
@Simone893 are you OOS? What’s your UC GPA? Prior course rigor?
Not quite enough info (UC GPA, UW GPA) and a few words about your ECs would help. With a 3.3, it is going to be an uphill battle for UCSC - even with an above par ACT.
This tool will help you assess your chances:
http://www.universityofcalifornia.edu/infocenter/freshman-admissions-summary
You’ve got a much better shot at UCR and UCM. How about Long Beach and Chico as alternates.
Both my UW and my UC gpa is 3.33, my EC’s are volunteering @ hospital, swimming(school sports), badminton. I have also done some community service for charity in and outside of school. I am not OOS 
10th grade- 1 honors and rest are regular
9th grade- no honors or AP
Your course rigor is not up to par (I’m assuming your school offered multiple AP’s and Honors classes, correct me if I am wrong) and that will make it very tough for UCSC.
Take a rigorous course load senior year and it may help a bit.
Three most important factors in UC admissions is UC GPA/test scores and course rigor. GPA is below the average of 3.88 but your ACT is above the average of 28. Your essays and EC’s will also be considered by admissions, so make sure you work on these areas. You have an outside chance at UCSC, but agree that UCR/UCM are good match schools. You should also consider some CSU’s such as SDSU/CSULB/CSUF/SJSU depending upon your intended major. Good Luck.
Thank you all for your help much appreciated My class rigor this year is much more. However, do you think with good personal statements and great letters of rec would help? I know my grades are not the best since freshman year it has only gone up overall I have always been improving. My intended major is biology related.
I hate to throw a wet blanket on your plan but, UCs (except Berkeley) don’t accept letters of rec and loading up on courses this year may well do more harm than good.
This isn’t a comment about your intelligence or aptitude but, seriously, don’t kill yourself with an unmanageable course load this year. It you do really well, it won’t make a significant difference to any of the UCs. If you don’t, it could cost you a spot at a college that admits you.
Sr year is full of distractions and emotions, especially as graduation approaches… It can be difficult for the most disciplined students to stay focused under a rigorous academic load.
Search these forums for UC and Rescinded to read about for tons of kids who had acceptances pulled from all 9 UCs due to a single D or, letting their GPA slip below 3.0.
I encourage you to reconsider your schedule, enjoy your Sr year and shift your focus to a few CSUs.