Demographics
US citizen
California
Competitive private school
Asian male
Postgrad legacy @ [UVA]
Tourettes syndrome (hook)
Intended Major(s)
Math
Physics
Engineering
CS
GPA, Rank, and Test Scores
Unweighted HS GPA: 3.98/4.0
Weighted HS GPA (5.0 scale): 4.8/5.0
Class Rank: N/A
ACT/SAT Scores: 1530 SAT
Coursework
14 APs
Mostly 5s with a couple 4s in non STEM courses
4 Post AP courses senior year
Awards
Nothing important, just the AP certificates
Extracurriculars
Officer in Physics Circle club (4 years) (Almost qualified for USAPHO, high scores in F=ma but barely didn’t qualify)
Varsity Volleyball + Club volleyball (3 years)
Volunteering at food bank 100+ hours (3 years)
[UCSB Summer Research Academies
Officer in rock climbing club (2 years)
Beaverworks [MIT]
Essays/LORs/Other
Essays wont be my strongest suit as I’m bad at writing but they will be based on interesting topics
LORs average
Schools
Chances at [UCI], [UCLA], [UCSD], UCD, [UCB]
Chances at colleges in the t20-t30 range
What would some colleges I should be aiming for with Early Decision? (Ranking wise)
Congratulations on a competitive academic record. For the UC’s, you need to calculate out your 3 UC GPA’s: Unweighted, Capped Weighted and Fully weighted using this calculator.
Below is the 2022 admit rates based on the Capped weighted UC GPA by not major specific so CS/Engineering would have much lower admits rates for many of the schools vs. Physics/Math.
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%
Below are the CS admit rates for the UC’s:
CS admit rates if available
Campus
CS
Berkeley
2.9%-L&S EECS-4.5%
Davis
No data but <20%
Irvine
5.8%
Los Angeles
3.8%
Merced
85%
Riverside
36%
San Diego
No data but <10%
Santa Barbara
No data but around 5-6%
Santa Cruz
60%
Your ED school should be your top choice school since it is binding if you are accepted.
You have listed 4 unrelated majors. Are you planning to pick a different major at each school? Which major truly interests you?
Remember that, depending on the school and target major, you may not be able to switch afterwards.
You have a strong academic profile but you appear to be an unhooked applicant.
You may want to get essay writing guidance if that’s not your strong suit. Why do you think your LORs will be average?
Finally (and most importantly): what’s your family’s budget?
–the guidance counselor at your competitive private school will be the best resource for college suggestions and chances.
– Tourettes is not a hook. A hook is a reason why a college wants a specific person over similarly or even more qualified applicants. Examples of some hooks include recruited athletes, child of a huge donor etc.