Hey everyone. Sending off my application in a couple days, and I was hoping to get a feel for my chances at UCSD. Please keep in mind that I am out-of-state, which I think hurts me quite a bit.
Major: Poltical Science
Objective:
SAT I (breakdown): N/A
ACT (breakdown): 33 (English 35, Math 29, Reading 36, Science 30, Writing 11 out of 12)
SAT II (place score in parentheses): Literature (720), US History (720)
UC GPA: 3.95
AP (place score in parentheses): US History (5), US Government (5), World History (3)
Senior Year Course Load: AP Chemistry, AP Macroeconomics, AP Microeconomics, AP Literature, Physics, Pre-Calc, Study of Literature in Northern Ireland, Study of Social Justice in Northern Ireland, Writing Composition
Major Awards: AP Scholar
Subjective:
Extracurriculars: Varsity Rower Freshman-Sophomore year:1st place in J8 Race at MSRAA, Semi-Finalist in J8 Race at SRAA Nationals.
Job/Work Experience: Cleaner at my school during senior year
Volunteer/Community Service: Was a fellow on the Clinton campaign during the 2016 General Election. Also, NHS Committee chair at my school and am in the process of creating free peer-led ACT prep courses as well as a Big/Little Brother system at my school.
Summer Activities: Studied abroad in Northern Ireland last summer learning about social justice and the peace process
Other
State: OH (out of state which hurts me)
School Type: Competitive private school
Ethnicity: White
Gender: Male
Income Bracket: Well off
Reflection
Strengths: Personal statements and political volunteering, as well as service to school through NHS
Weaknesses: GPA and being out of state
I’d appreciate any feedback. Thank you!
Quick Correction: I was a varsity rower my freshman-junior year Not sure how much that helps.
Competitive test scores, GPA on the low side, decent EC’s and good HS course rigor.
Freshman admit rates for UC GPA of 3.80-4.19:
UCSD: 39%
UCSD: Low Reach-High Match. It may come down your personal statements and hopefully these are outstanding.
If your parents are well off, I assume $55-60K/year to attend is not a problem?
Good Luck
I think you have a nice chance, though I’m not one to be chance-ing people – I’m another UCSD poli sci hopeful too. 
Hopefully we both get in and I’ll see you there next year!
Thank you to both of you!
Hey! I am a first year political science major at UCSD in Eleanor Roosevelt College. Anyway, you seem to have really good stats and extracurricular activities! I wish i had campaign experience on my app. But it really does come down to your essay. If your passion really shows in your essay then I say you have a pretty good shot! I can see how being out of state may concern you, but I think if you really made yourself stand out in your essays I think that is what will help so much more. Several people have the same stats and extracurricular so the main focus is really the essay. Best of luck to you!
@alexxxcee Thanks! I hope my essays are well received. I really think I put my best foot forward in them. If you don’t mind me asking (and you don’t have to respond if you don’t want to), were my stats similar to yours? I feel like UCSD is a bit of a reach for me, but it’s absolutely my dream school. Hopefully my essays will outweigh the fact that I’m out of state, like you said. How do you like UCSD and ERC College? I’m obviously going to be pretty focused on studying, but is a good social life possible if you seek it out? Thanks in advance!
@poliscihopeful7 yes your stats are higher than mine were so I wouldnt worry about your stats being the problem lol. Thats good to hear that you are confident with your essays! I love UCSD, but ERC college has this difficult general ed requirement called Making of the Modern World and its pretty rigorous. Probably the 2nd hardest college when it comes to general ed requirements at ucsd lol, but the hardest is Revelle college. Also, the social life is amazing. The socially dead reputation is FALSE I swear. Join student orgs, get involved, and you will be fine
@alexxxcee I knew ERC was demanding. I think I’ll be happy no matter which college I end up in, though. That’s great to hear about social life! I’m really interested in surfing, student government, and a student work program, so hopefully I can balance those decently, if at all. Here’s hoping I get in!
@poliscihopeful7 you definitely will ! I am also involved in student government here. You can definitely balance it out, it just takes a bit of time to adjust. I hope you get in as well!! (: