SAT, 1990 (CR 750, math 650, writing 590–this last score really stung! He is actually a pretty good writer-- his teachers all say) . Had we been more organized and on top of it he would have taken the SAT more than once (took it in October of senior year) He was planning on going to CC and we began applying late after being encouraged to apply to four year colleges by GC.
UC gpa quite low 3.68 (to be honest he focused a lot more on sports than on school).
EC are not outstanding at all, basically only sports: Varsity basketball, varsity baseball. He was captain or co-captain of basketball teams for three years. Received coaches awards four times (this is for hardest worker on the team). He wrote a column for the school paper for one year. Otherwise he has nothing. He has taken a lot of AP and/or honors classes (I am not sure how many to be honest --but he has taken AP tests 3 times and gotten one 5, two 4’s). Overall he tests really well. Better than his grades reflect.
I think I read on this site that major does not affect UCSD admission but his intended major is classics if that matters.
He has applied to other colleges (one we found on here and he has already been accepted with nice merit aid–thank you CC!) but UCSD is where he would really like to go. After being on this website and googling around a bit I do not think he has much of a shot at acceptance. His school has the ELC program and he is in the top 9% so he may be admitted to UC Merced I understand.
I found this website quite late in the game. I have learned a lot! We have two younger kids and I am glad I will be much better prepared when their turn comes. Right now I think my son’s best bet is CC for two years and hope to transfer to UCSD (or other UC). We live near a very good CC and cost-wise I just like that option.
Thank you for chancing us (even if, as I fear, it will be bad news). Information is always good
A chance? Yes of course. Likely? It is probably going to be a reach for him.
Let’s look at stats first. A 1990 is pretty average at UCSD. I would guess to say that it falls somewhere in the 40-60th percentile. His AP scores are good, but it will hurt him that he only has three. I personally only have three also, but my school only offers five. If his school offers a bunch, like 10 or 15, then it will show that he didn’t challenge himself.
His GPA of 3.68 will also hurt him. 93% of students at UCSD have a high school GPA of 3.75 or higher. This is unweighted of course. The common data set says UCSD has an average GPA of 4.0. I am assuming this is weighted. However seeing as how he is able to even get ELC with a low GPA may show that his school has little to none grade inflation. Admission officers will see and know this, potentially helping him.
His ECs are a bit on the weak side, but they are not very bad. He seems to have a lot of sports awards and that is surely better than nothing. In the end, it is really going to come down to his essays and his GPA.
I would always encourage a student to graduate from a UC rather than a CC. You may want to take advantage of the ELC program if he doesn’t get UCSD and transfer from another UC campus.
Although I have to warn, from numbers alone is seems that it is easier to get into UCSD from a CC than from another UC - especially UCM. Take for example, UCLA has a 29% admit rate for CC transfers but only a 21% rate for UC transfers. Additionally, the admit rate for a UCM transfer is abnormally low: only 8%. Not sure why it’s so low, but if he really really wants to go to UCSD then he can risk going to a CC for two years.
California public universities have a mandate to accept CC transfer students. They do not have to accept transfers from any other institution, including another UC. If you do not get into a UC and it is your goal, you would be much better off doing well at a CC than going to Merced and trying to transfer, not to mention saving a lot of money. They even pushed out the application deadline over a month this year to try to encourage more CC transfer applications; they are clearly seeking those qualified applicants.
I agree with @chx177’s ssessment that UCSD is a Reach. With average UC GPA of 4.13 and average SAT of 2035, it will be tough admit. You are correct that they admit into the university first then into major, but a low UC GPA rarely can be overcome by outstanding essays and EC’s. The CC route is an excellent option if he has his heart set on UCSD but again there is no guarantee. UCSD no longer participates in the TAG program, so he should always consider some backups and pick some UC campuses that participate in TAG (UCI/UCD/UCSB/UCR/UCM and UCSC) if he plans to go the CC route. I wish him good luck.
@JMTmama - your son has a lot going for him and I’m not surprised the gc encouraged him to apply to 4yr college. His ECs show a lot of leadership qualities and he sounds like a great kid. Please keep encouraging him even if he doesn’t get in. A lot of the kids u see on this board have had all kinds of coaching from rich parents and unfortunately the schools don’t have a good way of being able to adjust for that.
Coming back to add he was March 30ed, then yesterday notified he was on the waitlist. He will definitely accept his place on the list just in case. Also, I made an error in my original post–sat score was 2030 not 1990 (adding this for the sake of accuracy and for future cc’er’s hoping to get information about UCSD admissions.
Thank you again to everyone who took the time to comment and give assistance!
JMTmama - congrats to your S! What is his major at UCSD? My D transferred to UCSD last fall and has absolutely loved it. She has had some great professors and made some wonderful friends and is really thriving at the school. She is a communication major with a business minor. Good luck to your S.
