CSU and UC chances (asking for friend)

Chance Me / Match Me!
1

Grade: going to be senior

GPA: UW:3.75 Weighted:4.37 UC:4.13
Class Rank: 35 out of 512
SAT: 1120/1600
AP scores: Human Geo 3, Bio 3, US History 4, World History 2
Classes:

Freshman:Honors English 1/2, Honors Geometry, Honors Biology, AP Human Geography, P.E., Spanish 1/2C

Sophomore: AP World History, Spanish 3/4C, Honors English 3/4, Weight Training, College Prep Algebra 2, Honors Chemistry

Junior: IB Biology, IB English, AP US History, College prep Pre Calc, Honors Spanish 5/6, Technical Theater

Senior(planned): IB English HL, AP Physics 1, College Prep Calculus, AP Government, and AP Spanish

Extracurriculars: (years)
Cross Country (3)
Track and Field (2)
jv academic league (1)
Video Game club (3)

Community service:
60+ hours for the schools water polo team

Income:
upper middle class

Hooks:
First generation

Schools:
CSUSM, Cal Poly Pomona, and UCD (Biotechnology)
UCSD (Pharmacological Chemistry)
*We live in the SD area, so would that help them getting into UCSD?

2

First generation in the SD area is a decent hook for SD

3

GPA is OK but, SAT is low for Davis, For UCSD, both are low. I don’t believe UCSD has any stated preference for applicants from the San Diego area. I’d apply to both anyhow - his/her stats are in a range where it could go either way at both.

San Marcos and CPP are almost certain to admit your friend.

Encourage him/her to also apply to UCSC, SDSU and UCR, perhaps CP SLO too. Private school like Santa Clara, USD or LMU might also be worth a look.

4

@DoctorP

I don’t think living in SD improves chances at UCSD. Perhaps at SDSU, but I don’t believe so for UCSD. I think the chances for the two UCs are slim to none.

5

They used to give local students a little bit of a boost, but I think that’s done and done now.

6

Local applicants get preference at SDSU but not UCSD. CSUSM a solid match/safety. CPP a High Match for Biotech. UCD/UCSD will be tough admits with the lower than average SAT score. Your friend needs a few more safety and match schools on their list unless they are happy attending CSUSM.

7

Thanks everyone! @NCalRent How can their GPA be low for UCSD, if on the UCSD freshman admit profile, the average acceptance GPA is 4.13? That is either average or above average if the website goes by the weighted GPA. Are those stats not accurate?

Also, is their course load rigorous compared yo other applicants to these UCs and CSUs?

8

The weighted gpa seems on par; however, I believe the poster was talking about the UW gpa of 3.75 you mentioned