Chances at UCB, UCLA, UCSD, UCI, UCD, and Cal Poly SLO Engineering?

Chance Me / Match Me!
1

I’m an incoming senior and I plan to apply for civil engineering at all schools, except for UCSD where I’m going to apply for structural engineering.

Courses & grades (1st sem/2nd sem)
9th grade:
Adv English I (A/A-), Adv Algebra II (A/A), CP Bio (A/A-), Chinese I (A+, A+), Env Engineering I (A/A+), Adv Jazz Band (A/A+), Careers/Health (A/A), PE 9 (A/A+)

10th grade:
Adv English II (A/A), Math Analysis/Adv Trig (A/A), Chemistry (A-/A-), AP Human Geo (A/A), Chinese II (A+/A+), Env Engineering II (A/A), Court Sports (A/A+)

11th grade:
AP English Lang (B+/A-), AP Calc AB (A/A), AP Physics 1 (B/A-), AP Env Sci (A-/A-), US Hist (A/A-), Chinese III (A/A), Our Sustainable (A-/A) -got college credit for this class

My 9-11 academic GPA is 4.2 W and 3.95 UW and my 10-11 academic GPA is 4.3 W and 3.92 UW

SAT: 1st time 1220 (600 Eng, 620 Math), 2nd time 1330 (640 Eng, 690 Math) got 6, 5, 6 on the essay both times
ACT: 29 (32 Eng, 30 Math, 27 Reading, 28 Science, 8 Writing)
AP scores: Human Geo - 5, Calc AB - 4, Lang - 3, Physics 1 - 2, Env Sci - 2
Taking Math 2 and Physics SAT subject tests next month

Extracurriculars:

  • Key Club (I was the president for 2 years and now I’m the VP. I’ve been the service expo and interclub coordinators for the division and now I’m executive assistant)
  • Chinese Club (I was treasurer for 2 years and might run for VP next year)
  • CSF (VP last year)
  • NHS
  • JV tennis (probably going to be on varsity next year)
  • Play piano at home
  • Approx 400 hours of community service

I know my SAT/ACT are quite low and I’m worried that the two Bs I got first semester of junior year will ruin my chances at some of these schools. Also, my AP scores are quite bad but I heard those don’t affect college admissions too much. I plan to study and retake the ACT in September.

I know engineering is one of the most competitive majors, but I’ve heard that since I’m a girl that I might have a higher chance.

I really want to get into UCB or UCLA, but I’d be content with any of the other schools listed.

Thank you!

2

in all honesty, UCB and UCLA may be out of the picture unless you can bring your ACT to at least a 32. Your Physics AP score is lower than most engineering undergrad students, but if you can get a 750+ on the physics subject test, it would balance it out. Your extracurriculars are good, but there isn’t anything on there that would really pop-out to an admissions officer that you would fit as an engineering student. I would recommend that you do something engineering related before college apps are due. Your GPA is on par to a good UC though. With an educated guess, I would say that you can get into UC Irvine and Davis (with your stated information). But all in all, a good score on the ACT can increase your chances greatly. Good Luck!