SAT: 1500 (750/750, 23 essay) superscored, 1490 highest sitting
SAT II: 800 Math II, 730 Lit, 730 USH, 700 Bio
AP Scores: 5 EngLit, 5 APUSH, 3 Physics 1
This year I’m taking AP SpanLang, AP Bio, AP Chem, and AP Calc AB
GPA: 3.87 unweighted, 4.43 weighted, not sure about UC GPA
Class Rank: not computed but ~3/200, public school
Personal Info: Caucasian Female, not CA Resident
Essays: Very good (I think); I wrote about my passion for linguistics and biology, my love for stage tech, and the effect/personal struggle of my mom being hospitalized for mental illness
Extracurriculars: Stage technology 6 years (Assistant Stage Manager), Marine Science Society 3 years (President), Student Council 4 years (1 year exec board), Economic Summit 3 year (1 team leader), NHS member, leadership camp graduate, self-studying Arabic and Korean hobbies
Merits: National Merit Semifinalist, National Finalist for Samsung Solve for Tomorrow, FAQ Winner in an Economic Summit, AMGEN Award, State Chem Contest Team 3rd Place
Job/volunteering: Tutor in NHS, volunteered at children's theater for graphic design, was part of a community service club for three years, now sporadically work at that children's theater
Thank you (:
You are a competitive student, but as an OOS student, your priority for admission at the UC’s is placed after instate students. Did you complete a year of coursework in fine or performing arts with a letter grade? This usually trips up OOS applicants.
There is no financial aid for non-residents.
So, your parents need to pony up $60K per year if admitted.
NM status gets you about $2500 per year, if you win.
The UC’s are state schools funded by the taxpayers, so funding goes to instate residents.
Your stats are great. Your ECs are pretty good. You are a competitive applicant for both of these schools
I took a semester photography course freshman year and this year am taking a year-long visual arts class. Did I need to take the class prior to senior year?
What’s your intended major (bio or linguistics?)? Although relatively solid, your ECs/awards don’t seem to reflect extreme passion for a certain area of study, which is sometimes necessary for admission in these top schools like Cal and UCLA.
Those are just my two cents. It’s always subjective.
You are fine with taking the VPA class Senior year to meet the requirement. I agree that you are a competitive applicant so if you can afford the costs, you should have a good chance at an acceptance. Best of luck.
