Chances at Riverside

Occidental is a very good college but with your stats (GPA) it will probably make it also a slight Reach. Small class sizes, more individualized attention and interaction with your professors are a plus at Occidental.

Median unweighted GPA: 3.7
Median SAT: 1350 combined (EBRW-680, M-680)
Median ACT: 30

For Medical school, the school is not as important as your ability to achieve a High GPA in the Medical school requirements, Competitive MCAT Scorsese, access to Medically related EC’s and excellent Pre-Med advising including committee letters if required.

Wait so my gpa without the weighted pre calc honors in 3.58 but when precalc is weighted I have a 3.63. Are courses still weighted even if you get a D in it?

My gpa without my precalc honors (Since I got a D )course being weighted is a 3.58. Does the course count as weighted even if I got a D? If that class was weighted my GPA would be a 3.63.

No, you will not get the extra weighting for any grades below a C. The D will be calculated into your UC GPA unless you repeat the course before you apply.

I know a senior that has gotten into Riverside with a 3.6 and a 1320 SAT and their major was Bioengineering. Is bioengineering a harder major to get into that biology?

@thinker12345: It is not just about GPA and test scores, but the whole package including HS course rigor, EC’s and essays although GPA/Test scores are Very Important parts of the application. You cannot gauge your chances against another applicant unless you have the exact application, exact major and the exact life experience. Each applicant is unique and each UC will select applicants that “fit” their campus. UCR is worth an application but understand no one except the admission officers can predict your chances one way or another. You submit the best application possible, make sure you have some solid safety schools and a balanced college list which will give the you several options in the Spring. Bioengineering is another competitive major along with Biology so unless you saw this “senior’s” application personally including their UC GPA and SAT tests, do not rely on hearsay.

He doesn’t have any extracurriculars

Oh and also I took two math classes in 10th grade instead of PE (Which I’m taking senior year). Is that more rigorous to them?

Rigor will be evaluated based on your overall transcript, not just 2 Math classes in one year. How many UC approved Honors, AP and/or IB classes are offered at your HS? How many of these courses did you take and how does your schedule compare to the top students at your HS?

Regarding the other applicant you have mentioned, that applicant got an acceptance from UCR so what they did is moot. You are the one trying to get accepted based on your record.

So kind of good news, I got a 31 on a practice ACT. How does that change my chances for UCR

UC’s are more GPA focused vs. test focused but improving any part of your application will of course improve your chances. Now get that score on the actual ACT and it should help.

I mean that if I do get that on the actual ACT how would that help my chances

Your current SAT score is 1380 which is at the 75th percentile for 2018 admits. An ACT of 31 puts you above the 75th percentile which is great, but your issue is that your UC GPA is below the average (50th percentile- 3.81). You probably have a better than 50% chance for an acceptance but that is up to UCR to decide and it is still not a sure thing. Apply to a variety of schools and see where you end up getting accepted. What you seem to want is a guarantee of admission and no one except UCR admissions can offer you that guarantee.

Some updated information for UCR Freshman admissions and what they look for in their application review:

2019 UC capped weighted GPA averages:
UCR: 3.90

2019 Data:
25th - 75th percentiles for SAT totals:
UCR: 1130-1400

25th - 75th percentiles for ACT composite + language arts
UCR: 21-30
UCR Composite only: 21-29

  • RIVERSIDE

  • Very important: Academic GPA, Application essay, Rigor of secondary school record, Standardized test scores
  • Considered: Character/personal qualities, Extracurricular activities, First generation college student, State residency, Talent/ability, Volunteer work, Work experience
  • Note: A fixed weight point system comprehensive review model that culminates in an Academic Index Score to determine admission for incoming freshmen.

So if I were to up my ACT score to 32 and write good essays (Which I’ve already started on) Can I get into UCSC? Reach or Safety.

UCSC would be a possible Match if you were to increase your ACT score and write good essays. Remember your essays will be the same for all the UC schools. Your test scores are not the issue, it is your UC GPA since UC’s tend to be more GPA focused vs. test focused. UCSC’s average for 2019 was 3.96 even higher than UCR’s.

Some new 2019 UC admission information below:
UC admission rates for 2019:
Freshman:
UCLA: 12.4%
UC Berkeley: 16.8%
UC Irvine: 26.6%
UC Santa Barbara: 29.7%
UC San Diego: 32.3%
UC Davis: 39.1%
UC Santa Cruz: 51.8%
UC Riverside: 56.7%
UC Merced: 75.4%

Admission Rates for California Applicants:
UCLA: 11.8%
UC Berkeley: 19.2%
UC Irvine: 21.3%
UC Santa Barbara: 26.9%
UC San Diego: 27.6%
UC Davis: 35.5%
UC Santa Cruz: 42.5%
UC Riverside: 55.8%
UC Merced: 77%

Ok I’ll try my best to get a 32+ then.

I have a question regarding the UC essays which my daughter already started working during her summer break. Her UC capped gpa is 4.0 and she got 1380 on her SAT. She has good records on EC. In addition to UCR, she is hoping to produce good essays to increase her chance of getting into UCI or UCD. Boy, those essays are a piece of work! Not easy! She spent numerous hours on revising and brainstorming with her dad.
My daughter’s friend told her that there are students who hired college counselors to write the essays for them. Obviously, the demand and supply are there, and people are willing to pay big bucks. My question to you is: if the administration officers could tell that the essays were not written by the students themselves, shouldn’t their applications be denied?

@doowife: this is not a general discussion thread. The OP started their thread for a specific reason and hijacking their thread is considered rude per CC standards. If you have questions, you need to start your own thread and I suggest you post in the University of California-General forum.
Thank you

So sorry! I wasn’t aware of it. Thank you for letting me know.