Chances for UCLA, UC Berkeley, USC

Chance Me / Match Me!
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<p>Hi, I was wondering what my chances are for UCLA, UC Berkeley, and USC. My GPA is rather low but I just want some opinions. Feel free to comment however you like. I am currently a Junior in High School but my GPA is pretty much finalized as far as UC GPA is concerned. And if it helps, neither of my parents went to college.</p>

<p>UC GPA: 3.5357 (Although I have a upward trend)
School: William P. Clements High School(Ranked 366 out of all American Public High Schools in America by Newsweek magazine)
Graduate Year: 2011
SAT Score: 2100
ACT Composite Score: 34
SAT Subject Tests: Math II - 800</p>

<p>I will be taking 8 AP exams this year which will hopefully get me the National AP Scholar award. If not, I will definitely get at least the AP Scholar with Distinction.</p>

<p>AP Exams:
AP Statistics
AP Computer Science A
(I am self-studying for the following)
AP Environmental Science
AP Comparative Government and Politics
AP Microeconomics
AP Macroeconomics
AP Psychology
AP Human Geography</p>

<p>Extracurricular:
American Red Cross Volunteer
Clements Interact Volunteer Club
Clements Earth Club
Clements Computer Science Club
Clements MAO (National Math Honors Society)</p>

<p>Awards:
All-Texas HP Codewars 2010 - 3rd Place
Lamar High School UIL Computer Science Contest 2010 - 4th Place
Cy-Woods Invitational Computer Science Contest 2010 - 3rd Place
Rockport High School Computer Science Contest 2010 - 2nd Place
Elkins High School General Math and Computer Science Written 2010 - 6th Place and 5th Place respectively
Another Computer Science Contest - 9th Place
and Another Computer Science Contest - 5th Place
National AP Scholar or AP Scholar with Distinction</p>

<p>As you can see, I want to major in Computer Science. That's why I want to get into one of those three schools. Will it look good on my resume if I have actively competed in several competitions and have placed if I apply to the Computer Science department? Also, if my chances are low, I was wondering what other schools offer a good Computer Science program in California.</p>

<p>Kind of off topic but: I currently still live in Texas but if I move to California before my Senior year, will I get In-State Tuition and the admission rate for In-State Residence? I have proof of residence in California for about 4 years because my dad has lived there since.</p>

<p>Oh and if it helps, William P. Clements High School's Computer Science Club has been the UIL Texas State Champions for the past 2 years.</p>

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<p>and I forgot to mention, I have over 100 volunteer hours.</p>

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<p>anybody? i want some opinions</p>

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<p>From what I have seen your test scores look like they are in the right range for all three schools but your gpa is low. The number of AP courses you have taken will definitely be in your favor, but most students admitted to these schools take significant numbers of AP and honors courses. The best way to evaluate your chances is to go on the websites of the schools you are considering and check out their freshman profiles. It also doesn’t hurt to call admissions offices and ask them for updates on their freshman profiles and average number of AP & honors courses taken by their admitted freshmen. At USC for the 2008-2009 admitted class the average gpa was 3.8 unweighted and around 2100 SAT, 29-33 ACT. Historically the UC’s are more difficult to get into for out of state students but now with the financial challenges I have heard rumors that they are accepting more out of state students who will then pay the higher out of state tuition - I don’t know if that’s true or not. USC admissions is becoming increasingly difficult to predict but it does appear that showing significant and sincere interest is in your best interest while interest is MUCH less likely (or not at all likely) to impact admissions at the UC schools. Best wishes!</p>

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<p>One more thought…these schools also like to see initiative and leadership experience. Maybe you have that but it just wasn’t clear in the info you posted. If not you may want to explore starting a club at your high school or start a volunteer opportunity, maybe introducing less fortunate younger kids to computer science in a fun and creative way. Something related to computer science to show consistency with your subject area of interest would be particularly valuable both in terms of the experience you would gain and value added to your college apps.</p>

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<p>thanks for ur opinion. anybody else?</p>

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<p>anymore opinions please</p>

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<p>i really don’t wanna do this but…bump</p>

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<p>please…any help would be appreciated</p>

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<p>Instead of UCLA and Berk, you should look into UC-Davis, UC-Santa Barbara, UC-Irvine. I hate saying “your GPA is too low”, but for those schools, it really is.</p>

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<p>a 3.5 UC GPA is pretty bad cuz UC GPA isnt hard to get 4.0+ </p>

<p>I have a 3.5 UW GPA but 4.2 UC GPA</p>

<p>So i assumed ur Unweighted is around 3.0…</p>

<p>with that GPA, it will be tough…</p>