<p>I will be applying for all UC's and I plan to major in business. I'm aiming for UC Berkeley at best, while UCI my second priority.</p>
<p>Unweighted GPA: 3.3
SAT Score: 1610, 8 on the writing portion
ACT: Will be taking it October</p>
<p>With that being said so far, I do not believe that my current GPA and SAT score are accurate representatives of my intelligence and my academic capabilities. The high school I am currently enrolled in is in the top 80s in all of CA and in my opinion, is rather challenging. None of my parents have completed their high school education due to the Vietnam War, but yet they became successful CEOs without attending college and starting out with nothing.</p>
<p>I believe that I do have something that I /think/ makes me stand out apart from the high competition in this major. I've assisted my parent's company regarding financial issues during some parts of my high school years and I have over a year experience in stocks trading; from which I've managed to accumulate over $200 within the past few months via real stocks.
Along with my stocks profit, my friends and I plan to be starting our own business within the next 1-2 years as well. We've already discussed plans and our layout for the business.</p>
<p>That being said, my parents do not care what college I get into, but I do. It will deeply sadden me if I'm unable to attend UC Berkeley or even UC Irvine.</p>
<p>I also acknowledge that my chances are really slim given my current SAT score and GPA. But I'd rather have a slim chance than no chance at all when I apply.</p>
<p>I am sorry to say your chances at UCB and UCI are close to none. The UCs do a quick numbers check to see whether they are going to read your application, and your grades/SAT are well below the bar. </p>
<p>Best of luck to you- doesn’t hurt to apply!</p>
<p>Thanks for the input, and yes I acknowledge my chances are close to none. Nonetheless, I will still attempt to apply despite my poor GPA and SAT score.</p>
<p>Gpa is quite important, but I guess have a chance at uci if you squeeze out a great essay that can show your intelligence and if you show that you have good and meaningful extra curriculars</p>
<p>My first advice is to retake your standardized tests. I think if you can get those up to more competitive scores, that might alleviate the weight on your lower GPA. I hate to say it, but I don’t think you have much of a chance at Berkeley. I think your time would be better spent focusing on other UC’s like maybe Santa Barbara or Santa Cruz, and maybe consider adding some Cal States to the list.<br>
I wish you the best of luck no matter what, and know that whatever college you attend is going to be right for you. </p>
<p>Also, if you wouldn’t mind it would mean a lot if you could chance me for my top choice - thanks! <a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/what-my-chances/1689217-chance-me-will-chance-back-nyu-early-decision-steinhardt-media-culture-and-communications.html#latest”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/what-my-chances/1689217-chance-me-will-chance-back-nyu-early-decision-steinhardt-media-culture-and-communications.html#latest</a></p>
<p>Your chances are really slim, sorry. Try to improve your GPA and standardized test scores and you’ll have a better chance. Are your extracurriculars good?</p>
<p>Any way that you can chance back, please? </p>
<p>Agree with previous posters: stats are low and no chance for Berkeley. Try some Cal states. Also, you may want to minimize the “opinionated” approach in your writing. You may not have intended it to sound arrogant, but it can be perceived that way.</p>
<p>Thanks for your inputs, I’m taking the ACT in an attempt to compensate for my low sat score.
@ericajordan
@IWantStanford16 I have little to none extracurriculars, despite some volunteer and service hours. I’m not sure if this counts as an extracurricular activity, but I do manage my own stocks outside the realm of school and I continue to help my parent’s company to this day. I’m unable to improve my GPA because I’m a senior and I’ve been told that UC’s only look at your Sophomore and Junior year GPAs (I have a 4.0 with 3 AP’s right now as a senior too :(</p>
<p>@"aunt bea" Sorry if my approach seemed arrogant to you. I feel that what I said was needed, otherwise I was afraid you would be judging me only based off of my low GPA and SAT score.</p>
<p>I am sorry about that, I do think that the stocks and your parents company counts as an EC because it is something that you invest your time in outside of school and is a grand aspect of your life.</p>
<p>Stocks and investment are certainly an EC. </p>
<p>However, in OPs case, they are besides the point. UCs are mostly a numbers game- they only look at extracurriculars once your numbers meet the standards.</p>
<p>OP if you get a 36 on the ACT, then the UCs will take a look at your ECs/rest of your app. Your application will need to be stellar for that to translate into an admission. 32- 35 they may take a look at the application, and for 31/below, and your chances of admission are incredibly low. </p>
<p>@puzzled123 Thanks for the reply, I’ll definitely try to aim for a 36 on the ACT or at least a 32.
@IWantStanford16 I see, thanks. However, even though they’re some ECs I doubt UCs would look at them unless (as puzzled said) I somehow get an extremely high score on the ACT.</p>
<p>I think you should just study your butt off and take one if there is one available and hope for the best, good luck 
</p>
<p>You chances maybe good if you go to CC first. Beside why would you care to go to these schools?</p>
<p>@IWantStanford16 Thanks man, I will try 
@DrGoogle What do you mean caring about going to these schools? And if I really don’t get into UC’s at first then I’ll try the transfer method, but I’d rather not go through all of that hassle :/</p>
<p>Because according to you your parents didn’t go to any school and CEOs, so school is proven not a key to success.</p>
<p>@DrGoogle Indeed, school is proven not a key to success. Though, that has nothing to do with my decision in attempting to enroll in UC’s.</p>