Hey guys,
I have been thinking about it for a while and I think that my #1 school would be UCLA. I know that I would be able to get into it without getting my GPA up, but maybe you guys would have some advice for me. I am a sophomore right now, so I would have some time to get it up. I also go to the best high school in my state (I’m only saying this because I know that sometimes colleges take this into account + the grading scale at my school makes it harder to get an A)
Freshman Year:
3.8 (weighted) GPA (It’s not the best)
6 honors classes
Sophomore Year:
3.6 (weighted) GPA (1st semester) - I really don’t feel that proud about this, but it’s over so I can’t sit and whine about it anymore, I still have next semester to work hard and get it up (I could probably get it up to a 3.9 weighted cumulative for 10th grade)
3 AP classes (AP Bio, AP Human Geography, AP Music Theory), 4 honors classes
In Junior year I’m planning on taking 3/4 AP classes, and in Senior year I think I’m taking 5. (The rest of the classes would probably be honors)
ACT Scores: 30, 33 (I plan on taking this again to get a higher score)
I plan on taking the SAT but I haven’t gotten the chance to yet. (I haven’t taken the PSAT yet either)
Extracurriculars:
Math Team at my school, piano for 11 years, flute in band/sometimes play at church (in an ensemble at school that’s going to play in Carnegie Hall!), Girl Scouts for 6 years (getting my gold award), I’m in a golf league during the summer, and I do community service (about 3-5 hours a week).
If you guys have any advice or opinions I would really appreciate it! Thanks!
Are you a California Resident? If not, make sure that $65K/year is affordable for your family before getting fixated on UCLA. UC’s offer little to no financial aid (need-based or merit) to OOS students. If you are a CA resident, then UCLA is a great school option if you can get in.
All the UC’s use only 10-11th grades for the a-g courses in their GPA calculation. +/- for grades are not considered.
The UC capped weighted is the most GPA listed on all the UC websites (8 semesters of UC approved Honors classes (only for CA residents), AP/IB or DE taken during 10-11th grades only. The fully weighted is an unlimited amount of honors points given to these weighted classes (more than 8 semesters) . UCLA is one of 2 UC’s which does list their fully weighted GPA data for in-coming Freshman.
Here is the calculator so you need to wait until end of Junior year to really determine if you have a competitive GPA.
https://rogerhub.com/gpa-calculator-uc/
Freshman grades are reviewed to make sure the a-g courses are completed but not used in the GPA calculation. Senior grades are not considered in the UC admission decisions but you need to maintain a 3.0 unweighted GPA and no D’s or F’s and no more than 2 C’s to keep your provisional admission if accepted. Your Senior year HS course rigor will be noted.
Below is some statistical data for UCLA specifically:
2018 UC capped weighted GPA averages:
UCLA: 4.23
2018 Data:
25th - 75th percentiles for SAT:
UCLA: 1340-1540
25th - 75th percentiles for ACT:
UCLA: 31-35
* UCLA ADMISSION REVIEW CRITERIA:
- Very important: Academic GPA, Application essay, Rigor of secondary school record, Standardized test scores
- Important: Character/personal qualities, Extracurricular activities, Talent/ability, Volunteer work, Work experience
- Considered: First generation college student, Geographical residence, AP/IBHL exam scores
- Note: GPA, test scores, course work, number of and performance in honors and AP courses most important. Essay considered. Strong senior program important. Extracurricular activities, honors and awards also reviewed.
For the College of Letters and Science, the applicant's major is not considered during the review process. The Henry Samueli School of Engineering and Applied Science admits students by declared major, with more emphasis on science and math programs. The School of Nursing also places more emphasis on science and math programs and requires the submission of an additional supplemental application. The School of the Arts and Architecture; Herb Alpert School of Music; and the School of Theater, Film and Television admit students by declared major (within the school), and put more emphasis on special talents through a review of portfolios and/or auditions, which are the most significant admission factors for these schools.
Continue to work hard, aim for some leadership positions in your EC’s, SAT scores above the averages and see where you stand at the end of Junior year.
Best of luck.