<p>how much does classes i take during senior year count? how about GPA? im pretty sure that GPA doesnt factor into the decisions of colleges, but i am wondering if i am wrong</p>
<p>Classes senior year might, at best, be considered for rigor, but they're generally not regarded. GPA is the most critical component of most state schools and, to a lesser degree, private schools. If you use UCSD's point system as a reference, 4500 out of a maximum of 11,100 pts are allocated for GPA, and another 300 for ELC. Test scores come in next, with a maximum possibility of 3200 pts there. </p>
<p>To me, I think the personal statement at UC's isn't nearly as important as it is in private schools. It might help you for second/third tier UCs if you're on the edge, and you might be mentioning some very important event in them that would garner you points at UCSD, and it might even click with an adcom at Berkeley/LA if you're lucky, but most of the time it's overlooked in favor of your scores and grades. If its compelling, and it explains something that is not CLEARLY VISIBLE through your grades/scores (eg. don't explain that you got low grades from grade x to grade z, they can see that), then that would be a wise use of that part of the app, but otherwise, it's just one of those things you'll check off that you "have to complete", when you're going through all 9 sections of the UC application.</p>
<p>I don't think Michigan is a match. It's on more or less the same level as at least UCLA, so I would say slight reach. Everything else seems to be OK.</p>
<p>One last thing, you mentioned an upward trend in your grades; does the GPA you listed take out the grades from freshman year? UCs don't consider freshman grades.</p>
<p>The only things that can hold you back are your grades and possibly the suspended thing. I'd say the higher tier UCs are reachy but the other UC's are looking good.</p>
<p>
[quote]
does the personal statement count a lot for UCs?
[/quote]
</p>
<p>The personal statement, at Berkeley at least, is of utmost importance -- too often people are rejected for doing a mediocre job on essays. Similarly, 'mediocre' students are accepted for making really awesome essays (see the Berkeley forum for discussions on this). According to Berkeley's common data set, essays are "very important," as important as GPA and rigor of course load (not to mention state residency).</p>
<p>For the lower UCs, it isn't stressed as much as it is at Berkeley.</p>
<p>ok, my weighted GPA is a 3.8 and i wanna go to a good business UC. im not sure if irvine will be good with its business economics, so i dont really wanna go there. i probably wont get into UCLA or UCB; ok, to my main concern: should i just go to community college and try super hard so i can get into UCB or UCLA? i guarantee that my grades have improved over these years and i feel that i am getting smarter each year, so i can get good grades in CC.</p>
<p>^If that's your attitude towards CC then I think you should do it, but do know the consequences beforehand. Even people that are admitted to UCB/UCLA for business/business-econ struggle to get into the proper major. A significant number drop out or just aren't admitted. If you feel like that's a risk you can take, then go for it. Otherwise, you could just settle for the "safer" route of attending a UC and trying to transfer. I'd suggest looking through the UC transfer forum to check on the chances of being admitted, because anything under a 4.0 isn't usually considered a match for Haas.</p>