Chance me for upper level schools 2024 applicant

[jackson12345]

Here is my story:

Freshman and sophomore year were not great in terms of GPA. Freshman year I got a 3.57 and then a 3.73 weighted GPA leaving me at about a 3.65 cumulative at end of freshman year. However, my lowest point occurred in first semester of sophomore year when I got a 3.61 weighted GPA and my first “C range” grade (C+). Second semester sophomore year I started to work much harder and I got a 4.24 weighted GPA. My grades really improved my junior year as I earned a 4.67 weighted GPA. I am working to get a 4.75 this semester and a 4.75-4.8 first semester senior year. For more detail I will give a list of my classes and grades up until this point of my high school career:

Freshman (Both Semesters) : English 1: A-, B; Spanish 1: A-, A-; Algebra 1: A-, A; Honors Geometry: B+, A-; Physics: B+, B; Health/PE: B+, B

Sophomore (Both Semesters): Honors English 2: C+, B-; Digital Photography: A, A+; Spanish 2: A, A-; Honors Algebra 2: B, A; Chemistry: B-, A; AP World History: B+, A+

Junior (One Semester Completed so far): Honors Pre-Calculus: A; AP English Language: A; AP Studio Art: A; Spanish 3: A; AP US History: A; AP Environmental Science: A-

My Senior Year course load should consist of AP Calculus BC, AP Literature, AP Economics, AP Physics C, AP Computer Science (A or Principles)

If I reach my GPA goals for the next two semesters I should finish with around a 4.2 weighted GPA. (I currently have a 3.9735)

In terms of testing I have taken the SAT once. I got a 1420 with a 790 on the math and a 630 in English. I plan on studying very hard this summer to increase my reading score and overall SAT score.

Also, I plan on majoring in either business or some branch of engineering (mechanical engineering or computer science).

FYI I go to a pretty challenging school and colleges are definitely aware of my schools rigor. We get about 35-40 kids into USC each year and last year we got 19 out of 54 applicants into Notre Dame.

Does anyone think I have a chance of being admitted to upper level schools such as USC, U Michigan, UCLA, UCB, Notre Dame, or Boston College.

Will my upward grade trend be valued by these top tier colleges? Could a strong SAT score along with my upward grade trend help present me as a strong applicant and show how my freshman and first semester sophomore year grades are not a true representation of the student I am?

If I got a 1550 or higher on the SAT do you think I could have a serious chance of admission for any of these schools?

Please let me know. All feedback is helpful.

[Gumbymom]

UCLA and UCB are very GPA focused but you would need an overall competitive application which includes high test scores, interesting EC’s and essays. Consider both schools as Reach schools even with a stellar application.

UC’s only consider 10-11th grades in their GPA calculation and have their own weighting system. Here is the UC GPA calculator: https://rogerhub.com/gpa-calculator-uc/

An upward grade trend will be noted, but already see a couple of B’s and a C which will definitely impact your UC GPA.

Please post your Uw UC GPA, Capped weighted UC GPA and Fully weighted UC GPA at the end of Junior year. Freshman grades will be reviewed to determine a-g course eligibility and Senior grades will not be considered but in-progress and planned courses will be determine your course rigor.

https://rogerhub.com/gpa-calculator-uc/

If you are not a CA resident, then only AP/IB courses taken 10-11th will be weighted with the extra honors points in the calculation. Also be aware, if you are OOS the UC’s give little to no financial aid so expect full fees at $65K/year. Make sure before considering these schools and applying they are affordable.

Some Freshman admit rates based on UC capped weighted GPA and not major specific:
2018 Freshman admit rates for UC GPA of 3.40-3.79 capped weighted and not major specific:
UCB: 1%
UCLA: 2%

2018 Freshman admit rates for UC GPA of 3.80-4.19 capped weighted and not major specific:
UCB: 10%
UCLA: 9%

2018 UC capped weighted GPA averages:
UCB: 4.23
UCLA: 4.23

2018 Data:
25th - 75th percentiles for SAT:

UCB: 1360-1540

UCLA: 1340-1540

Make a realistic college list based on your stats, have 2 solid safety schools on your list and no harm in applying for a few Reach schools.