Chances into UC colleges

Applying to College
1

<p>First a little basic information. I'm a junior in a rather competitive public high school(99% graduation rate and 96% 4-year college/university and plenty of kids reaching top-notch schools). I'm an Asian-American from California along with most of my school.</p>

<p>As for my grades, I'd say that I'm about above average at best.
Class - 1st semester grade - 2nd semester grade
Sophomore year:
Marching Band - A - A
Jazz Band - A - A
Chemistry Honors - A - B
Spanish 2 - B - B
English 2 Honors - B - B
Math Analysis/Pre-calc Honors - A - B</p>

<p>And so far in Junior year:
Marching Band - A - A(projected)
AP Calculus - B - A(projected)
Spanish 3 - B - B(projected)
English 3 AP(Language and comp) - C(B with grade change) - A(projected)
AP US History - A - A(projected)
AP Chemistry - B - A(Projected)</p>

<p>projected unweighted: 3.79
projected weighted: 3.8 - 3.9
What I put as my Projected grade is probably going to be spot on because of my school's grade change policy that come with getting a 4/5 on the AP test.
I'm definitely confident that I'll be able to pull out at least 4's on all of my AP tests</p>

<p>For senior year, I'll be taking about the same workload as I am junior year.</p>

<p>As for SAT scores, I have only taken it once,
Critical reading: 580 .___.
Writing: 700 (10 essay)
Math: 770
Total: 2050
I'll be taking the SAT two more times, and I'm hopefully going to get better scores
For SAT II'S i'll be taking Math2C, Chem, and maybe US History, and I'm projecting a score of 680 - 800 on each.</p>

<p>I am in the school marching band, and will be for the remainder of my high school career. I am in the band's leadership program and will be a section leader next year
I also participate in 3 clubs currently, 2 of them for 3 years, and 1 of them for 2.
I have completed 10 levels(9 years) of the certificate of merit program for piano
This summer I'll be either volunteering at a science center for children or an internship for a computer company</p>

<p>The primary university that I'm aiming for is UCSD, but I'll also be applying to UCLA, UCB, UCI, and UC Davis. Outside of the UC, I'll be also applying to Cal-tech and perhaps some of the Claremont colleges</p>

<p>So what exactly are my chances? With finals over and with me receiving the first C I have ever gotten, I've recently been worrying about my potential with these colleges.</p>

2

<p>Those Bs in math and and science are going to hurt you at Caltech. I heard someone from admissions once say that a caltech student should be able to get an A in any high school math class. The core math at Caltech is very difficult. They are not going to take chances if they do not think you will make it through. I know you asked about the UCs, but I thought I would give you an honest assessment for Caltech.</p>

3

<p>Your chances are good for UCI and UC Davis. Your stats are a little too low for UCLA and Cal, and perhaps even for UCSD. If you get a great SAT score, you MIGHT be able to make up for the GPA, since it might be about average or a bit below average. </p>

<p>CalTech is unfortunately not really within your reach, since your science/math grades aren’t top notch and (from what you’ve posted) your ECS aren’t very science/math-oriented, which is very important for Caltech. Most admitted applicants will have done plenty of research and competed in (and won medals in) several competitions. It certainly does not hurt to apply, if you want to try your luck.</p>

4

<p>Thanks for the info =]
/bump
Any other opinions/chancings</p>

5

<p>You need to calculate your UC GPA, which is only A-G classes for these 2 years and 8 weighted semester grades. All APs are weighted, but not all honors.</p>

<p>I would try to bring up the SAT for a shot at UCSD. Their average GPA is a UC weighted 4.1, but a high SAT can help. You look pretty good for UCI and UCD.</p>

<p>Caltech is very probably out of reach, and the top two UCs are going to be tough. Of the Claremonts, Pitzer could be possible.</p>

6

<p>Just calculated my UC GPA. At the rate I’m going, it’ll be somewhere between 3.86 and 3.98
Hopefully, I can get a higher SAT (2100~2200) to counter my somewhat bad GPA</p>

<p>I also heard that UCSD takes into very much consideration EC’s and community service. Hopefully, that’ll help.</p>

7

<p>^Not sure about “very much,” but under their points system, it is clear that you can possibly make up for a lackluster GPA with abundant ECs and community service. It would also help if had a few leadership positions.</p>