Chances of getting into UCI/UCD/UCSB?

Hey guys im a senior-to-be and have been stressing about my chances of getting into UCI, UCD, and UCSB.

My stats are:

Race: Asian

UC GPA:3.81

SAT 1: 2090(650CR, 700M, 740W)

APs taken so far: AP english Lang

Senior courseload: ap comp sci, ap calc AB, cp english, cp world history/economics( at my school their half a semester each), yearbook

Extra Curriculars: Will be editor in chief of the yearbook next year, Member of the track team for two years, I was a teacher at a summer day camp, Taught english in China, Helped take care of people at a mentally disabled home, was also a member of a few clubs but I didnt really do anything so i dont think its important.

Im planning to major in economics, so what do you guys think?

UC GPA a bit low for the UC’s on your list but SAT is competitive. UCI really likes 4.0+ GPA’s but I think your best chance would be at UCI. UCSB and UCD could go either way. Work on your essays this summer and having some leadership positions will help. Good Luck.

@Gumbymom thanks for the reply! Do you think I should take more Aps senior year cause I don’t think I’ve taken enough total.

There is no magic number of AP classes to get you into a UC. Since you have taken only 1 Junior year, taking 2-3 Senior year will help your course rigor but you also need to make sure you do well in your Senior classes since your provisional admission is dependent upon maintaining good grades your Senior year. How many AP classes is average for your school? Course rigor is considered very important in UC admissions, so if your HS class schedule is not the most rigorous, it will have a negative impact on your chances. If you feel you can handle one more AP class, then yes you should take it.

@Gumbymom Ok thanks, ill probably take that third AP. my highschool is pretty competitive as many people take 5-6 APs throughout highschool.

I don’t think you would cut it for UC Davis, but you have a slight chance and UC Irvine and UCSB. Your UC GPA IS quite low… my UC gpa was about 3.99 and I got into UCSB, watilisted at Davis (then accepted), and waitlisted at Irvine (not yet and prolly never accepted). I applied for engineering however, which is more competitive than economics, but I still think you’re on the edge, especially since your EC’s are pretty good. Write good essays, and try your best to increase you GPA senior year (incase you get on the waitlist).

Loading up on APs senior year is a double edged sword. While you do increase your ‘course-rigor’ (which is ambiguously weighed at UCs, theoretically compares you to the AP courses available at your high school). Many find the workload 4 or 5 APs unmanageable as they work their way through Sr year and the college application process. You’ll find no shortage of posts by students whose admission to a UC was rescinded due to poor grades Sr year.

Not all AP courses are created equal - at most high schools some are much more demanding than others. If you plan to take 3 or more, take at least one with a reputation of not killing its students.

Great job so far!

With a strong essay, I’d give you a 50/50 shot at all of them.

You might want to add UCSC, UCR and SDSU just to round things out.

ED at CP SLO could work out too.

Good luck.

@NCalRent This might be a stupid question but what is ED at Cal poly slo?
Thanks

Cal Poly SLO allows applicants to request an Early Decision from the school… They ask that you apply only if CP is your first choice but, you aren’t truly ‘bound’ to accept their admission offer. The applicant pool tends to be smaller and some years less competitive. Applicants are asked to commit before financial aid offers are distributed.
Read more here:
http://admissions.calpoly.edu/applicants/freshman/deadlines.html