Junior right now, my gpa’s probably going to end up a 4.8. I was top 2% for PSAT sophomore year (1340). I’m taking SAT prep right now, so i’m hoping to get a good final score. I have at least 1 really good potential reccomendation letter from an english teacher. I’m also very confident in my essays bc writing has always been my strength. However, my ECs have been weak/nonexistent thus far. I’ve started improving this year with UNICEF, NHS, and newspaper though. If I commit to my clubs and pursue volunteering/service through them, what are my shots? Planning to major in something neuro or maybe english. Any advice would be greatly appreciated.
forgot to mention, 4.0 UW and I can tutor through NHS
If you have a weighted, capped 4.8 10-11 a-g and high SAT, you would be a top applicant. All UCs don’t accept LORs except UCB by request. My S last year was not asked for UCB LOR and was accepted. If you are applying to engineering, it is more competitive. My kids had routine ECs and did well with UC acceptances in 2014, 2016, and 2018.
Good luck.
The highest capped weighted GPA for the UC’s is 4.4. A 4.8 is possible as your uncapped fully weighted GPA. OP you are a Junior so only 10th grades are available for the UC GPA calculation. Once you have completed Junior year, you can calculate your UC GPA.
https://rogerhub.com/gpa-calculator-uc/
In the meantime, continue to do well in your classes, prep for the SAT and come back next year with your updated stats.
Freshman admit rates for UC GPA of 4.20 or above (capped weighted) and not major specific:
UCB: 42.7%
UCLA: 47.2%
UCSD: 84.2%
UCSB: 82.0%
UCD: 90.3%
UCI: 94.1%
UCSC: 92.7%
UCR: 97.5
UCM: 98.1%
25th - 75th percentiles for SAT:
UCB: 1280-1490
UCLA: 1280-1500
UCSD: 1250-1470
UCSB: 1210- 1450
UCD: 1190-1430
UCI: 1190-1420
UCSC: 1170-1380
UCR: 1090-1310
UCM: 1020-1230
Your stats are obviously great, but the students that I know at JHU have strong EC profiles.