<p>I'm really scared because I have average stats and UCSC is one of my top choices.</p>
<p>POSITIVES
~ I got an 1820 on my SAT (not spectacular, but not that bad either).
~ Upward trend in grades.
~ I wrote some really solid & persuasive essays (my teacher read it and even said I'll get accepted, and he's also a professor at the local CC).
~ Dedicated to community service.
~ Advanced piano player (I compose music as well)
~ One of my high school newspaper articles got published in the local magazine.
~ Received Certificate of Journalism.
~ I applied as an English/Sociology major, which I believe isn't as competitive.</p>
<p>NEGATIVES:
~ Didn't take any AP classes until this year due to my struggle with anxiety as a sophomore & junior (which I explained in my essays...also explained how I overcame it & the significant lessons I learned).
~ Low GPA.
~ Worst grades are from sophomore & junior year. :(
~ SAT score isn't a 2000+ to counterbalance my GPA completely.</p>
<p>TOTAL GPA: 3.4W, 3.3UW
UC GPA: 3.19W, 3.16UW</p>
<p>Here are all my courses with my grades per semester.</p>
<p>FRESHMAN
1st sem / 2nd sem GPA: 3.83 / 3.83
Geometry - A / B+
English 1 - A / A
Earth Science - B+ / B
PE - A / A
Journalism - A / A
Spanish 1 - A / A</p>
<p>SOPHOMORE
1st sem / 2nd sem GPA: 3.67 / 2.67
Biology - B / C+
Algebra 2 - B / D+
English 2 - A / B+
Spanish 2 - A / A
World History - A / B
PE - A / B</p>
<p>JUNIOR
1st sem / 2nd sem GPA: 2.83 / 3.33
Spanish 3 - B / B
Junior Lit/Advanced Comp - B / A
US History - B / B
Econ/Health - B / A
Chemistry - C+ / B+
Algebra 2 (had to retake) - B / B</p>
<p>SENIOR
1st sem GPA - 3.83W, 3.67UW
Government - A
Piano - A
Trig/Precal - B
AP Lit/Comp - A
Physics - B
Computer Graphics - A</p>
<p>Here's a description of all my ECs/community services:
~ Volunteer at a local food bank since freshman year.
~ Wrote for the school newspaper in Journalism Club (9th grade)
~ High school recycling team (9th grade)
~ Attended campus & coastal cleanup events for Key Club (10th grade)
~ Fundraiser for Future Business Leaders of America (11th, 12th grade)
~ Peer tutor for National Honor Society (12th grade)</p>
<p>Etc. (Hooks):
~ I attend a very competitive public high school (my school is actually known for having A LOT of seniors get accepted to UC's).
~ In-state.
~ Low income.
~ 1st generation applicant.
~ Asian/Pacific Islander.
~ My sibling got accepted to UCLA last year (which I mentioned in one of my essays)</p>
<p>Also applied to: UCSB, UCD, UCSD</p>