Demographics: Indian, Male, US Citizen, Texas
Type of high school: Competitive
Intended Major(s): Computer Science for Video Games
Unweighted HS GPA*: 93 (4.0), point system
Weighted HS GPA *: 95 (4.0), point system
Coursework
8 Honor classes, will have 8 AP classes at the end of the year. (Currently taking AP Computer Science, have already taken an Honors one, and will be taking another AP Computer Science class for 12th grade)
4 on AP World History, haven’t taken other AP exams yet.
I believe I am able to write a decently strong essay for my application.
Extracurriculars
50 Volunteering hours at a library.
Played Bass Clarinet for 7 years.
Have two businesses selling Graphic Art for GUI (Interface) and 3D Models for Video Games.
Portfolio with a multitude of Scripts.
EC Goals
Start a YouTube channel to teach coding.
Publish around 2 or more applications on both Steam and the App Store.
Join/form a Computer Science club.
Tutor others in Computer Science.
Take coding boot camps.
Join coding competitions (Game Jam).
I am currently using CollegeVine Chancing Simulator, but I want realistic results. Can anyone tell me if these results are accurate, and what could be my Target and Safety’s with my current portfolio? Please be a bit harsh, I need to know what to improve on. I know my ECs are weak right now, which is why I put some goals for the future on this post. I also know my weighted GPA is weak, but I am working hard to improve it.
Here are the schools it lists as Target, Reach, and Safety.
Target:
UC Irvine (Hard Target)
UC Davis
UC San Diego
UC Santa Barbra
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The UCs evaluate three different GPAs. For OOS students, only AP and IB scores from 10th and 11th grade are used in the GPA calculation. Calculate your UC GPAs using this GPA Calculator and share them with us.
Why are you interested in the UCs? Each campus is unique with its own culture. UC Merced is very different than UCSD.
The UCs don’t give much (if any) financial aid to OOS students. Are you able to pay full price for these schools? Safeties need to be affordable. You may be able to get in with your academics but they aren’t a safety if they are too expensive.
I am aware each school has a different environment, but I do want to see which schools I have the best chances in and choose my best options from that. I would be able to pay full price.
Sounds good. @Gumbymom is the master of chancing UCs. I’m sure she’ll post some stats shortly. All chances become much more difficult when one is applying into CS. Personally, I would move UCSD and UCI more towards reach and UCSC (if applying into CS Games) towards target.
For game design, UCSC’s program is well regarded. If you can afford it, and are looking at CA schools, you might also consider USC’s Games programs.
Congratulations on your hard work and being a competitive applicant for the UC’s. Also great that you do not have to worry about costs since the UC’s run around $67K/year to attend as an OOS student.
Here are some statistics to help you refine your list.
2022 Freshman admit rates base on Residency:
Campus
CA RESIDENT
OUT OF STATE
INTERNATIONAL
Berkeley
14.5%
8.6%
5.5%
Davis
32.3%
59.8%
43%
Irvine
18.2%
36.6%
21%
Los Angeles
9.2%
8.8%
5.8%
Merced
100%
78.6%
81.7%
Riverside
66%
88.1%
68.%
San Diego
23.8%
31.5%
15.5%
Santa Barbara
26.7%
28.8%
19.7%
Santa Cruz
43.2%
70.7%
55.4%
2022 Admit rates based on the Capped weighted UC GPA.
Campus
4.00+
3.70-3.99
3.30-3.69
3.00-3.29
Berkeley
17%
3%
1%
0%
Davis
58%
20%
5%
2%
Irvine
35%
10%
3%
0%
Los Angeles
13%
2%
1%
0%
Merced
97%
97%
95%
85%
Riverside
95%
83%
42%
17%
San Diego
37%
8%
1%
0%
Santa Barbara
41%
8%
3%
0%
Santa Cruz
69%
45%
16%
4%
CS admit rates if available
Campus
CS
Game design
Berkeley
2.9% L&S
EECS: 4.5%
Davis
No data but <20%
N/A
Irvine
5.8%
10%
Los Angeles
3.8%
N/A
Merced
85%
N/A
Riverside
36%
N/a
San Diego
No data but <10%
N/A
Santa Barbara
No data but <10%
N/A
Santa Cruz
60%
42.4%
No data means that the UC does not break out admit rates by major but based on the # of enrolled students yearly and the overall yield, these are estimates.
Another Reach as suggested by @lkg4answers is USC and for a more affordable option Cal Poly SLO (9% admit rate for CS).
Best of luck but $268K for a CS/Game Design degree is a hefty price tag. CS is highly marketable so you do not need to go to an expensive College to be successful post graduation.
My younger son attended a California State University and now works in a Cybersecurity firm which was acquired by Google.
I know you didn’t ask for more school suggestions, but I want to make sure you’re aware of the cool gaming programs that are offered by the U of Utah.
It is not a reach. It sounds like your budget is high, but it’s nice that their tuition is relatively cheap (plus they have a path to get in-state tuition after a year).
You also may want to consider Santa Clara or San Jose St which are both in the Bay Area which would be a perfect area for you due to your interest in CS/gaming.