Chances at UCs

Hey Guys, I live in SoCal and attend a prestigious public high school in this area - Current Class of 2016.
I am a Latino/Hispanic male and my parents earn around 120k.

GPA Unweighted: 3.75

Major: Chemical Engineering or Biology/Public Health (I really want to be a chemical engineer, but for my alternate majors I am putting Biology, Biochem or Public Health as I am really interested in the medical field too).

Class Rank: My school does not have a ranking system but I know I am a better academic student than many others. However, other people at my school have 4.0s, 36s on their ACTs (I know of 2) and one of my friends got a 2350 on his SAT (he has a rather lackluster GPA, however). This is my fear: Competing against my peers as I know many are better than me, but if I went to my home school I absolutely know I would be in the Top 2% (home school = inner city school). All of my classes are “Accelerated/Honors” and my school features classes that aren’t commonly given at other schools. Freshman and Sophomore Year I had PLTW Engineering core classes and last year I had “Biotechnology”.

Junior year 2nd semester, I took a College Class of “Theatre, Drama, Television and Film” and I got an A in the class. On my transcript, it says I have a 4.0 College GPA because of this class. This year I am taking these three college classes: Chemistry 108, Computer Science 115 - Intro To Computer Programming, and Physical Geology 100.

March SAT 1680 (540CR, 610M, 530W)
October SAT… 1690

SUBJECT TESTS:
SAT 2 Bio: 720
SAT 2 Chemistry: Projected 700+
SAT 2 Math 2: Projected 600+

AP Exams and Future AP Exams:
AP Spanish and Culture ~ Sophomore year: 4
AP Calc AB ~
AP English Lit~

Awards:
1st Place School Science Fair 2015
3rd Place School National History Day 2014

Athletics:
I’m currently playing water polo at a public pool and last year we won first place in our division. This is my 3rd year of water polo. Freshman and Sophomore Year I was in the JV Cross Country and Track Teams. I quit since the homework load + athletics was becoming a burden.

Athletics x ECs (?)

  • This year I took the County Lifeguard Swim test and I passed. I will be screened medically in February and I will do my Training in Spring and work during the summer full time (after graduation). I worked to pass the test these last three summers. I don’t know if I should talk about this on my applications.

ECs (…)

  • United States Customs and Border Protections Law Enforcement Explorer. I am ranked as a “Senior Explorer” in this program and I commandeer the other explorers and recruits during Physical Training and demonstrations. 200± Volunteer Hours in this program (Ride a longs, Shadowing officers at airport, fundraisers, etc) Started Jan 2014
  • 40 hours volunteering at the local library 2013
  • Founder and President of my schools Junior State of America (JSA) Charter ~Since Senior Year…
  • UCSD Summer STEM Triton Program

Great recommendations from teachers and counselor + good essays.

Bruh…

what

With that SAT score, Merced, SC, and Riverside seem like your best chances.

Have you taken your Act, because if you have two friends with a 36 ACT, it robs means that your school’s curriculum is better suited for that test. If you do well on it (like 28+ you will have a good chance at most UC’s.

Is the SAT really that important? I know a couple of people who have weaker ECs and have 15xx SATs and got into LA. I feel the rest of my app is strong and i can make it to better tier UCs such as SB or even SD

What is your UC GPA?
Your SAT is not competitive for the Mid-tier or Upper Tier UC’s. I agree with @anxioiusenior1 that UC Merced, Riverside and Santa Cruz are your best chances unless you can bump your scores into the 1900 range. UC’s banned affirmative action so being Hispanic will not help.

Average SAT scores for the following UC’s to give you some perspective:

UCSC: 1828
UCB: 2094
UCD: 1924
UCI: 1878
UCLA: 2064
UCM: 1616
UCR: 1746
UCSD: 2035
UCSB:1937

http://rogerhub.com/gpa-calculator-uc/

Your EC’s and essays can definitely help your chances, but academics come first with the UC’s. Make sure you have some solid match and safety schools on your list to avoid being shutout.

BTW: UC’s do not accept LOR’s but UCB starting this admission cycle will invite applicants to submit LOR’s.

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For the top tiered UCs in addition to a low SAT score, you lack a sufficient GPA and not too many APs. Your chances are low. Agree with other posters that your best chances are with low tiered UCs.