I will be applying to the UCs this year and I am fairly concerned. My stats is pretty much done (1520 SAT and 4.36 UC GPA) with near perfect AP scores and SAT subject test scores. But my EC only consist of concert band, 2 clubs where I’m a member, and some volunteering at hospitals over 2 summers. I also did a few college programs, but no significant ECs or awards. Please estimate my chances of getting into UC colleges!
Is your GPA of 4.36, the capped weighted or fully weighted UC GPA? Intended major? For the UC’s, GPA/test scores/HS course rigor/essays are Very Important. EC’s although important are more icing on the cake. Quality over Quantity is important for the EC’s. You will be a competitive applicant especially if some of your EC’s are major related???
What’s the difference between capped weighted and fully weighted UC GPA? I will be applying to biology for all schools. Additional information on my profile:
School weighted GPA: 4.1
School unweighted: 3.9
Class rank: 31 out of 690 ppl
SAT essay: 20/24
AP tests: 5 for Chinese, Bio, Calc AB, US History; 4 for Eng Language
SAT subject tests: 800 for Chinese and Biology M
I took 4 AP classes in junior year and will be taking 4 more this year. Most of my other classes are honors. One of the college programs I did was premed.
Capped weighted gives a maximum of 8 semesters of honors points for UC approved Honors, AP, IB or DE classes taken 10-11th grades. Fully Weighted is an unlimited # of honors points for these courses taken 10-11th grades. Capped weighted is used to determine if an applicant is UC eligible (3.0 for in-state and 3.4 OOS/International). Also the Capped weighted UC GPA is frequently listed in UC statistical data.
Honors classes have to be UC approved (CA residents only since OOS applicants do not get points for Honors classes)… You can look up your HS’s UC approved Honors classes here: https://hs-articulation.ucop.edu/agcourselist
Ohhh I calculated it a long time ago so I don’t quite remember which one it is. It might be the capped one though.
Is it important for your essays to elaborate on your ECs, or can they be on something that isn’t anywhere else on the application?
You should address the 4 different prompts that you select and if your EC’s are part of that essay, then that is fine. If not, then listing them in the EC section is also fine.