Chance for someone with low standardized test scores for ACT/SAT to get into UCI?

I’m a senior and my UC GPA is 4.08. My test scores are very low, especially compared to other people on this forum. Myl highest SAT is 1660, and I recently took the November one. My only ACT score was 24 (didn’t study at all, not good with time) and I will be taking another in December. I’m aware of the averages for UCI, but my sister, who recently graduated from UCI, told me that those high averages are what people apply with, not the averages of the students who attend the school. I saw somewhere that UCI accepts over 65% of CA residents and that the average SAT is around 1600-1700. I am involved in 5 clubs, one of them being MESA, and I plan on having a very strong personal essay. I took 3 AP classes last year, and I am currently taking AP Biology and AP Calculus. Do you think I have a chance? Or do you think its not worth to apply?

UCI would be a High match/Low Reach based on your posted stats depending upon intended major, but UCI prefers high GPA so they are more lenient on test scores. My older son had a UC GPA 4.17 and ACT score of 26 and was accepted a couple of years ago. The UC’s continue to get more competitive each year so have some solid match and safety schools on your list. California residents make up the majority of admits, but OOS and Internationals are increasing in numbers at all the UC’s.

Average UC GPA for UCI is 4.03 and Average SAT is 1878/ACT is 28.

Good Luck.

If you bring up the ACT then you should get accepted -