I really want to get into UCR, UC Santa Cruz, but mainly UCI!
10-11th grade GPA: 3.03W
SAT: 1350 ACT: 36
The only EC I have is being in band for four years; I’ve been a really dedicated member though. I’ve done several band activities throughout high school like musical pit, basketball band, concert band, marching band, honor band, and leadership but only in senior year. I don’t really feel like my essays were all that great, but I’ve heard that colleges like seeing people dedicated to at least one EC for a long time. My junior year was messed up (academically), but I managed to pull through with a 3.62W second semester which was MUCH better than my first semester GPA of 2.5 
I also have high hopes in my test scores but who knows how far they’ll take me?
36 ACT? Really? I’m not sure what to think of that. In relation to your GPA that seems an anomaly. If it’s really 36 then I think you could get into those universities in spite of your GPA but please tell me if that’s a mistake.
UC’s are very GPA focused so although your ACT score is excellent, having a consistent and solid academic record (transcript) is very important. What is your intended major?
Just based on statistical data and UC admit rates on the capped weighted GPA:
Freshman admit rates for UC GPA of 3.00-3.39
UCB/UCLA/UCSD: 1%
UCI/UCSB: 2%
UCD: 4%
UCSC: 18%
UCR: 38%
UCM: 67%
Make sure you include a few Cal states and one safety school on your list.
It’s not a mistake, haha. I completed an online study course on PrepScholar a month before the ACT to prepare and I did well the previous two times. I got a 28 the first time and a 31 the second.
My intended major is Psychology, which I’ve heard isn’t impacted at most schools especially UCI!
The UC’s will question the difference between GPA and test scores. Did you address this in your essays? I think there is a good chance you may receive a supplemental, where you will be asked for more information in regards to your low grades.
yeah ^ the fact that you got a 36 on the ACT shows that you are capable of achieving good grades but not hard-working enough to do so. UCs want to know that you will work hard and stay on top of things, keeping above a 2.0 GPA while in college. so, it is thus important to give good reasoning as to why you did not get high grades in HS. i didn’t hear much about UCs giving supplementals last year, but if you get one, definitely write about your low grades, emphasizing how hard working you truly are.