Chance with low test scores but great grades?

Colleges and Universities A-Z University of California - Los Angeles
1

<p>Hi, UCLA is one of my top choices, so I really want to know if I have a chance to make it.</p>

<p>Intended Major: Probably Political Science
Latino male, CA resident
Really competitive high school
First in family to go to a four-year university</p>

<p>Academics:
UW GPA: 3.85
W GPA: 4.35
Top 10% in my class
SAT: 1840 (CR:620, M:600, W: 620)
ACT: 27 (E:33, M:28, R:24, S:23)
Subject Test: Math II: 650
AP, Honors, and College Courses: 15 semesters throughout high school
10th Grade: Honors Chemistry
11th Grade: AP Psychology, AP US History, Honors American Literature, Honors Precalculus
12th Grade: AP Gov, AP Physics B, Community College Calculus</p>

<p>12th Grade Schedule:
AP Physics B
Math 150 (Calculus)
Expository Reading and Writing
AP Gov
Ceramics
PE (because of sports)</p>

<p>Extracurriculars:
Football- 3 years (2 years JV, 1 year Varsity)
Track- 2 years (1 year JV, 1 year Varsity), school is San Diego CIF Champs
50 hours volunteering
1 year Media Club (Treasurer)
1 year CSF</p>

<p>Awards:
Top Scholar- 11th grade
Top Citizen- 11th grade
Outstanding Athletic Achievement: 11th and 12th grade
Varsity Letter
Recieved certificate from California Department of Transportation for participation in the 2011 Trig-Star Competition
Panel member for Senior Exhibitions (I basically graded several senior projects while I was a junior)</p>

<p>So I have a few hooks, but I just want to know if they will be enough despite my slightly below average test scores. I also wrote a great essay (according to my English teacher, who actually works in admissions at UCSD). Thanks in advance!</p>

2

<p>Your grades are definitely good, but they are not as great as you think they are, nor are your test scores (though not great either) as bad as you think. </p>

<p>Being 1st generation should help.</p>

3

<p>bump…</p>

4

<p>Your grades are actually just a little better than average, test scores not bad but not good either, and extra curriculars are alright. HOWEVER, make sure you highlight the first generation + Latino in your essays. Hate to bring those up, but those two factors give you a decent chance to get in.</p>

<p>My best rule of thumb is how competitive are you compared to your classmates applying to UCLA? That will give you an indication of your chances.</p>

5

<p>Yeah, I definitely wrote about those in my essays. I know that there are some better people than me in my class and some of their SAT scores are 1900+. There are about 20 people that are more well rounded than me, but they are White/Asian, so do I get an advantage over them?</p>

6

<p>Doubt it. Sometimes having a hard(er) life or being 1st generation can be a good excuse for not getting as high of grades or test scores, but unless you have some great excuse like, you have to work full time to support your family, or you had to take care of your younger siblings all the time because your parents were working three jobs, you don’t really have much of an excuse for not being well rounded.</p>

<p>However, I wouldn’t say that your extracurriculars necessarily look bad either. The only thing missing is maybe some leadership experience.</p>