Chance me please?

Colleges and Universities A-Z University of California - Santa Cruz
1

Academics:
Sat: 1630(plan to retake)
Act composite: 27 (plan to submit after retake in September)
UC gpa: 3.59
AP: environmental (2) [selfstudied don’t plan to submit]
Senior year: ap calc bc, ap physics 2, gov/econ, English 12, French 3, avid

ECS
Sports: 3 years varsity swim, 2 years varsity water polo, 3 years club water polo
Work exp: swim instructor/ life guard at YMCA
Volunteer work: 2 clubs at school (key club and an environmental club) and church. Cummulative hours completed: 200+ (I have an exact number if you need it.)

For the school:
Major: mathematics or engineering (I was gonna major math minor physics so I had options but I’ll do which ever give me a better chance in all honesty. I’m looking at engineering as my career anyway)
State: California
School type: public (my class is rather competive)
Ethnicity: Hispanic
Gender: female
Income bracket: <$30,000
Specialities: first generation to go to college

It may be worth mentioning that my strengths are in math and writing. I know I can pull from my socioeconomic background and parents drug affliction for my personal statement and how they motivate me or something. I haven’t yet decided what quality I want to focus on for the second prompt yet either.
Thank you :slight_smile:

2

Based on your Stats:
UCSC would be a Low Reach as an Engineering Major
UCSC would be a High Match as a Math Major.

Your UC GPA and SAT score are below average. ACT on target but it would help to improve your score since GPA is a little low. I would concentrate on your ACT since your composite is higher than SAT. Write some amazing essays and Good Luck.

3

Thank you so much! Do you think up to a 29 would be good or not? Also do you think I’d be eligible for a fee waiver?

4

A score of 29 for the ACT would definitely help.

Freshman Profile for UCSC last year;
http://admissions.ucsc.edu/apply/counselors/high-school-counselors/freshman-student-profile.html

Here is a link for the fee waiver application and requirements.
http://www.ivc.edu/student/transfercenter/Documents/UC%20Application%20Fee%20Waiver%202015-16.pdf

5

A 3.59 is on the low side so, 29 ACT would definitely help. As a first gen applicant with a solid essay, you’d be a very strong contender.

6

You should be able to qualify for Cal Grants to fund your tuition.

Ask at your high school about the waivers. Work on getting that ACT score as high as you can and apply at some of the other UCs and may be eligible for other scholarships. Spread your wings.

7

Believe me, you can get in. I got in with a 3.1 into biological sciences. If you have any questions, you can always message me!

8

Study for the ACT, make your essays stand out, and you’ll have a decent shot.