I know 2nd tier UCs (UCSB, UCSD, UC Davis, and UC Irvine) are a reach for me but I’m really hoping at least one of them will accept me. Can I even compete with the other applicants? Any and all input will be greatly appreciated, thanks!!
Grade level: Junior
SAT: Took it once, got 790 in math, 610 in English, 4/5/5 on the essay
GPA: 3.9, no APs, one Honors
ECs:
200+ volunteer hours (10 at the LA food bank; the rest working with animals and vets at the Pasadena Humane Society and at the Boys and Girls Club as a “leader in training”)
Helped build a “Teaching Garden” at my elementary/middle school with about 20 people
Major: Biology or Prevet
Personal Info:
Asian
Have owned/fostered about a dozen dogs
Trilingual
This is statistical data only from 2017 so 2018 data should be out possibly by August.
Not major specific and UC GPA is capped weighted. Also expect admit rates to be lower for 2018 Freshman.
Freshman admit rates for UC GPA of 3.80-4.19:
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%
25th - 75th percentiles for SAT:
UCB: 1280-1490
UCLA: 1280-1500
UCSD: 1250-1470
UCSB: 1210- 1450
UCD: 1190-1430
UCI: 1190-1420
UCSC: 1170-1380
UCR: 1090-1310
UCM: 1020-1230
25th - 75th percentiles for ACT:
UCB: 30-34
UCLA: 30-34
UCSD: 29-34
UCSB: 28-33
UCD: 26-32
UCI: 26-32
UCSC: 26-31
UCR: 23-30
UCM: 20-27
Remember there is no way to quantify EC’s and essays so all you can do is present the best application possible, apply widely and have 1-2 safety schools you would love to attend.
you are pretty well below the mid point GPA for all 3 of those schools so, it will be an uphill climb. Strong essays could tip the scale in your favor but, UCR and UCSC are more realistic targets. I would also apply to a couple of CSUs as safeties. SDSU, CPP and CSULB would be good candidates.