I’m a junior in HS in California, and I’ve been thinking a lot about where I’ll be applying next year. However, I do not want to “shoot too high”. So… please please please lend me some insight as to how I’m doing stats and standing wise. I have already done extensive research on my own on the websites of these colleges, but I think some insider advice would be super helpful. Thanks!
Do I have a shot at getting into?
UCB, UCLA, UCSB, UCD, or UCSD? (Also applying to others, but these are the most competitive)
Possible majors: Biochemistry, Political Science, Health-related sciences
Cumulative GPA: 4.5 (w), 4.15 (uw)
ACT score (highest so far): 30
ECs: 1. Soccer every year in HS + club soccer for 2 years; team captain for school soccer 2 years
2. Junior Class Vice President
3. ASB President (next year)
4. Future Physicians Club (sophomore - senior year and I will possible be an executive team leader of the club next year)
5. Tons of volunteer hours (200+ in high school; both school and community )
6. HOBY LA ambassador and junior staff member (it’s a leadership seminar held all over the world)
7. Worked at a dermatology and laser clinic for 6 months
Essay Topics:
- planning on discussing my interest in health and fitness (and having one of my group exercise instructors write me a letter of rec.)
- planning on writing about seeing my dad struggle with and overcome his alcoholism, and the perspective and new mindset I gained from witnessing it
UC’s are very GPA focused but your complete application including test scores, HS course rigor, EC’s and essays will be evaluated.
UC’s have their own GPA calculation for 10-11th grades from your a-g course requirements.
All UC’s use the capped weighted GPA while UCLA/UCB will use your fully weighted GPA also. Please calculate using this link:
https://rogerhub.com/gpa-calculator-uc/
For the top UC’s, you will need to bump your test scores into the 32+ ACT range for the best chances. You have some solid EC’s and only UCB accepts LOR’s at the moment by request. Make sure your essays focus on you to give admissions a better insight.
Here are admit rates based on UC capped weighted GPA ranges to give you an idea of where you stand:
Freshman admit rates for UC GPA of 3.80-4.19:
UCB: 14%
UCLA: 14%
UCSD: 44%
UCSB: 54%
UCD: 58%
UCI: 65%
UCSC: 85%
UCR: 94%
UCM: 96%
Freshman admit rates for UC GPA of 4.20 or above:
UCB: 42%
UCLA: 54%
UCSD: 87%
UCSB: 85%
UCD: 91%
UCI: 94%
UCR/UCM: 98%
As always, apply widely and make sure have some safety schools on your list.
@Gumbymom thanks! 4.5 is actually both my UC GPA and my cumulative GPA. My college counselor at school has calculated it with me. Also, what is an LOR?
Letter of recommendation= LOR.
What is your capped weighted UC GPA since that cannot be any higher than 4.4?
Also UW cannot be higher than a 4.0 since UC’s do not use + or - grades in their calculation. Regardless, your GPA is competitive so I would work on your test scores if you are aiming for UCLA and UCB.
@Gumbymom my college counselor says it’s a 4.4