Chances to get into college without volunteer experience?

Chance Me / Match Me!
1

I am looking at a slew of colleges, but my top pick is Michigan so far. I’m also looking at UC Santa Barbara, San Diego and Berkley, even though all of these colleges are probably a far shot for me…

I am in community college right now, don’t know my GPA since I just started but I have gotten mostly As on all my assignments so far, and am studying to get the highest possible scores.

I have not taken SAT and ACT I am very confused if I need them to get into university…

I took 2 IB classes in high school got 5 on Chemistry SL and 6 on Math SL.

my only extracurricular activity I did in high school was synchronized swimming.

I spend a lot of my free time writing novels, and reading books.

As long as I do good on the essays, and continue getting good grades will my chances be okay? Or is volunteering a big thing they look at too ?

2

Volunteering is just one EC of many. You have other problems:

  1. Yes, you will need either an SAT or ACT. Especially if you just started college.
  2. You will need strong professor recommendations. Have you made friends with any of your profs? Arguably the two most important parts of a transfer app are grades and recommentations.
3
  1. Have you graduated High school or are you doing dual enrollment at the community college through the HS?
  2. Home State?
  3. If you have graduated HS and are attending a community college, then you are a transfer applicant. California UC's do not consider SAT/ACT tests for transfers. What is most important is your UC transferable GPA and having a minimum of 60 semester/90 transfer units (Junior level) standing to apply for transfer. Having some volunteer/job/internship or research experience related to your major will help and also your personal statement. HS grades and test scores are not considered. You might get some credit for your IB classes toward your pre-req's upon transferring but you need to work with your UC transfer advisor at your CC.