Chance Me for UCI, UCSB, UCSD, UCD, Cal Poly SLO

Colleges and Universities A-Z University of California - GENERAL
1

-Major: Computer Science/Software Engineering

-California Resident

-1280 on SAT (New) - EBRW 590 + Math 690 [SAT Essay 18]

-No SAT II’s (Subject Tests)

-3.7 Unweighted GPA (10th-11th Grade) / 3.69 Unweighted GPA (9th-11th Grade)

-AP Classes (Only in Senior Year): AP Government, AP Macroeconomics, & AP Calculus AB

-Courses Taken from Freshmen to Senior: English (English 1A-4), Math (Geometry, Algebra 2, Pre-Calculus, AP Calculus AB), Social Studies (World, US, AP Econ & AP Gov), Science (Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Physiology), Language (Spanish 1-3), Electives (Intro to Computer Science, None, Multimedia, Web Design)

-Good Extracurriculars

-Decent Community Service

-Some Work Experience

-Good Personal Insights (For UC’s)

Thank You!

2

For Cal Poly SLO, you need to calculate their GPA using 9-11th grades for the a-g courses and capped at 8 semesters of UC approved Honors/AP/IB or DE courses taken 10-11th grade. For the UC’s, they use only 10-11th grades for the a-g courses.

You can use the RogerHub calculator for both GPA calculations: https://rogerhub.com/gpa-calculator-uc/

For SLO, they use MCA points and rank applicants by major. Here is the calculation (see post #52): http://talk.qa.collegeconfidential.com/cal-poly-san-luis-obispo/1694769-confused-about-mca-score-p4.html

Your GPA appears to be within range for the schools listed (hopefully 4.0+) but SAT score is on the low side to be competitive for SE/CS.

Below are the ranges for the SAT by UC Campus. You want to be around the average 50th percentile or higher for a solid chance.

25th - 75th percentiles for SAT:

UCB: 1280-1490

UCLA: 1280-1500
UCSD: 1250-1470
UCSB: 1290-1450
UCD: 1190-1430
UCI: 1190-1420
UCSC: 1170-1380
UCR: 1090-1310
UCM: 1020-1230

SLO average SAT: 1467 and SLO GPA average: 4.16

Depending upon your UC GPA (capped weighted) and SLO GPA, I see no solid Match or Safety school on your list.

I would add UC Riverside/Santa Cruz, San Jose state for SE (not CS) and some Cal States like SDSU/CSU Long Beach,CSU Fullerton and Cal Poly Pomona. You need to apply widely since CS/SE is so competitive at California schools.

Freshman admit rates for UC GPA of 3.40-3.79 (capped weighted) not major specific.

UCB: 2%
UCLA: 3%
UCSD: 6%
UCD: 15%
UCSB: 14%
UCI: 13%
UCSC: 59%
UCR: 78%
UCM: 92%

Freshman admit rates for UC GPA of 3.80-4.19:

UCB: 14%
UCLA: 14%
UCSD: 44%
UCSB: 54%
UCD: 58%
UCI: 65%
UCSC: 85%
UCR: 94%
UCM: 96%

3

Thanks for your reply! Doesn’t UC’s use a holistic view of your application? Aren’t GPA and test scores are just two factors? If all else is good, would those percentages increase for me?

4

Yes, the UC’s do use holistic review but GPA and test scores are very important. If you do not meet this first academic threshold, then the rest may not makeup for the lack. I am not an admission officer, so all I can do is quote stats so apply to these schools. My concern is that you have no safety school listed and really no definite Match schools. For the UC and Cal state applications, it is easy to add a few more schools to your list. You are applying to some highly competitive schools with a highly competitive major. Please make sure you have options.

UC Application Review criteria:

  • Berkeley
    *
  •   Very important: Academic GPA, Application essay, Rigor of secondary school record, Standardized test scores

  •   Important: Extracurricular activities, Volunteer work, Work experience

  •   Considered: Character/personal qualities, First generation college student, State residency

  •   Note: Thorough review of academic performance; likely contribution to intellectual and cultural vitality of the campus; diversity in personal background and experience; demonstrated qualities in leadership, motivation, concern for others and community; non-academic achievement in the performing arts, athletics or employment; demonstrated interest in major.
  • LOR’s by invitation only as of 2017
    *
  •   Davis

*

  •   Very important: Academic GPA, Application essay, Rigor of secondary school record, Standardized test scores

  •   Important: Character/personal qualities, Extracurricular activities, Talent/ability, Volunteer work

  •   Considered: First generation college student, Geographical residence, State residency, Work experience

  •   Note: Scholastic achievement most important, followed by school and community activities, academic interests, special circumstances, special achievements and awards

*

  •   Irvine

*

  •   Very important: Academic GPA, Application essay, Extracurricular activities, Level of applicant's interest, Rigor of secondary school record, Standardized test scores, Talent/ability, Volunteer work, Work experience

  •   Important: Character/personal qualities, Class rank

  •   Considered: First generation college student, Geographical residence, State residency

  •   Note: Demonstrated record of academic preparation, educational engagement, talent and skills important.

*

  •   Los Angeles

*

  •   Very important: Academic GPA, Application essay, Rigor of secondary school record, Standardized test scores

  •   Important: Character/personal qualities, Extracurricular activities, Talent/ability, Volunteer work, Work experience

  •   Considered: First generation college student, Geographical residence

  •   Note: GPA, test scores, course work, number of and performance in honors and AP courses most important. Essay considered. Strong senior program important. Extracurricular activities, honors and awards also reviewed.

*

  •   Merced

*

  •   Very important: Academic GPA, Application essay, Rigor of secondary school record, Standardized test scores

  •   Important: Class rank, Extracurricular activities, Talent/ability

  •   Considered: Character/personal qualities, First generation college student, Geographical residence, Level of applicant's interest, Recommendations, State residency, Volunteer work, Work experience

  •   Note: Academic record and test scores determine eligibility.

*

  •   Riverside

*

  •   Very important: Academic GPA, Application essay, Rigor of secondary school record, Standardized test scores

  •   Considered: Character/personal qualities, Extracurricular activities, First generation college student, State residency, Talent/ability, Volunteer work, Work experience

  •   Note: A fixed weight point system comprehensive review model that culminates in an Academic Index Score to determine admission for incoming freshmen.

*

  •   San Diego

*

  •   Very important: Academic GPA, Application essay, Rigor of secondary school record, Standardized test scores

  •   Important: Character/personal qualities, Extracurricular activities, First generation college student, State residency, Talent/ability, Volunteer work, Work experience

  •   Note: High school course pattern, GPA, essay and test scores most important. Admission for out-of-state applicants more selective than for residents.

*

  •   Santa Barbara

*

  •   Very important: Academic GPA, Application essay, Rigor of secondary school record, Standardized test scores

  •   Considered: Character/personal qualities, Class rank, Extracurricular activities, First generation college student, Level of applicant's interest, State residency, Talent/ability, Volunteer work, Work experience

  •   Note: Eligibility established by high school GPA, course requirement, and SAT scores. Special consideration for disadvantaged students.

*

  •   Santa Cruz

*

  •   Very important: Academic GPA, Application essay, Rigor of secondary school record, Standardized test scores, State residency

  •   Important: Character/personal qualities, Extracurricular activities, First generation college student, Geographical residence, Talent/ability

  •   Considered: Volunteer work, Work experience

  •   Note: Test scores, GPA in required subjects most important. Personal statement very important.
5

UCR and SDSU are reasonable targets.
good luck.