I’m currently a junior in high school and have a 3.86 weighted GPA and a 3.74 unweighted. I’ve taken 2 AP classes and 2 weighted classes this year and have only had one C on my transcript, the rest being mainly A’s and some B’s. I’ve also taken 3 classes at MiraCosta and got A’s in the World History, US History, and Chemistry classes I took. I got 1440 on my SAT with 19/24 on the essay, and I got 32 on my ACT with 8/12 on the essay.
Things I’ve been a part of:
Golf, 3 years
Speech and Debate Team, 3 years
President of the Red Cross Club, 1 year
Advanced Orchestra since middle school
I have a job as a sales associate/wardrobe stylist in a boutique, I have been playing piano for 12 years, and I have never missed a single day of school or have ever been late to school in my life.
I am half Japanese and have duel citizenship, with my mother here on a green card. My family of four’s income is $40,000 a year and my dad has been unemployed due to a work injury for 10 years.
I am interested in Education, Marketing, Business, or Human Resources. I would also like to study abroad in Japan.
With all of this in mind, what are my chances of getting into USC, any of the UC schools, or possibly (ha ha) an Ivy League? Or better yet, what schools are in my range? (Not limited to California schools, just schools I could get scholarships to possibly)
UC’s are very GPA focused, so you need to calculate your UC capped weighted GPA: https://rogerhub.com/gpa-calculator-uc/
UC’s give little in “scholarships/merit aid” but can be generous with need-based aid if you are a California Resident.
Intended major will be a huge factor in your chances at the UC’s. The more competitive the major, the higher GPA will be required. Your test scores are within range for all the UC’s so GPA may be the biggest factor. Definitely spend time on your essays and make uniquely you.
Data for UC capped weighted GPA and not major specific:
Freshman admit rates for UC GPA of 3.80-4.19:
UCB: 12.6%
UCLA: 11.7%
UCSD: 38.7%
UCSB: 53.6%
UCD: 56.5%
UCI: 52.1%
UCSC: 75.7%
UCR: 90.1%
UCM: 96.1%
Freshman admit rates for UC GPA of 4.20 or above:
UCB: 42.7%
UCLA: 47.2%
UCSD: 84.2%
UCSB: 82.0%
UCD: 90.3%
UCI: 94.1%
UCSC: 92.7%
UCR: 97.5
UCM: 98.1%
25th - 75th percentiles for SAT:
UCB: 1280-1490
UCLA: 1280-1500
UCSD: 1250-1470
UCSB: 1210- 1450
UCD: 1190-1430
UCI: 1190-1420
UCSC: 1170-1380
UCR: 1090-1310
UCM: 1020-1230
25th - 75th percentiles for ACT:
UCB: 30-34
UCLA: 30-34
UCSD: 29-34
UCSB: 28-33
UCD: 26-32
UCI: 26-32
UCSC: 26-31
UCR: 23-30
UCM: 20-27
USC might be a better choice since they tend to be more test score focused.
Sorry you have no chance… you can always go to CC and apply as a transfer like I’m doing now
Your stats make you qualified to apply to all of these schools. The Ivy League is a reach, but several UCs can be considered targets or high matches. Get your GPA up and even a school like UCLA could be considered a high match
If you are a California resident, you may qualify for Calgrants for the UC’s and USC.
Try to end the year with very strong grades.
The ivies are uber competitive so your grades and tests have to be almost perfect. right now, with the competition, I wouldn’t look at the ivies. It’s just too competitive for scholarships and admission. I don’t think it’s doable, but you can try to apply.
If you try to get into any OOS publics, you’ll most likely pay full fees.
Apply to the UC’s and for the Calgrant program. There are also a number of privates that have scholarships: USD, Chapman, Point Loma Nazarene.
I cannot speak to the UC or USC schools but I was rejected to the five Ivys I applied to and was accepted to Wellesley, Wesleyan, Northeastern, and UVA. So I can share my sats\application strengths\weaknesses and some advice having attending those schools accepted students weekends.
For academics and stats:
unweighted gpa of 3.9
composite ACT of 32
academic background was in a homeschooled classics program and I took two years at the local community college in high level science and math courses
as far as ec’s:
was MVP and captain of multiple volleyball teams
had 15 years of violin and was concert master of the local orchestra
I competed in debate and coached debate for two years
scuba certified
spent much of high school traveling internationally
For strengths my application emphasized a unique background in humanities with courses like Rhetoric, Philosophy, and Logic and confirmed the rigor of my program in AP English and government 5s. I also think my international experience and global view, something you’re clearly strong in definitely helped with Northeastern. My essays were incredibly strong and my letters of rec were written by professors who really knew me. As far as weaknesses, my standardized test scores could have been stronger, especially as a homeschooler and my application lacked spectacular awards or a particularly unique experience or interest.
My overall guidance would be just to apply to schools that feel right for you, focus on your essays a lot, make sure you paint a cohesive narrative of who you are and your aspirations, and remember to make sure your application feels like your voice.
Good luck!!!