Desperate for Help, What do you think?

Chance Me / Match Me!
1

Hello all, I am currently a sophomore about to finish 2nd year in high school and optimistically looking forward to my junior year. In spite of all my underperforming grades in school, I am starting to worry progressively about my chances into getting a GOOD college. My relatives, siblings, friends all had 4.6 GPA’s and received good grades and managed to get into the likes of UCLA, USC, MIT, Harvard, Duke, etc. so I am constantly fretting over this subject

However, I go to the same school that my “good-grade”-friends go to. And in fact, it is one of the most challenging schools in the United States (California). Compared to other schools, I would’ve probably received a 4.7 GPA, but I am only at slightly under a 4.1 GPA due to unexpected circumstances thus far in my high school career.

Here’s a look at what I’ve done so far:

Freshman year, I took 4 WEIGHTED classes both semesters and got 1 A/3B in each semester. I also took 3 UNWEIGHTED classes, and received 2 A’s out of those three.
-Unweighted GPA - 3.29
-Weighted GPA - 4.00

Sophomore year, I took 6 WEIGHTED classes (3 APs) and got 0 A’s in first semester. I took 1 UNWEIGHTED class and received an A in the class. HOWEVER, 2nd semester I began to turn things around. Out of my 6 weighted classes, I receved 3 A’s and 3 B’s

-Unweighted GPA will be around 3.35
-Weighted GPA will be around 4.05

As of now, I currently have a 4.12 weighted GPA, but a 3.38 unweighted GPA.
I have received 800 on SAT II Math, SAT II Chem, and SAT II Biology

I am also currently the president of a club on campus and hold 2 board positions in other clubs. I was in a JV Sport for one year.

I am CURRENTLY receiving a 2100 on SAT, and PROJECT TO RECEIVE A 2250-2350 when i finish JUNIOR year…

I still have Junior year coming up ahead, and here is a projective of all my courses.
All my classes will be weighted and challenging. 5 of them will be AP classes, and 2 of them will be advanced classes.

The main goal for me is, to show the progression of my grades from freshman year to junior year. Although I did not slack and i continued to work hard, I had a tough time transferring from middle school to high school. Once again, I go to one of the toughest schools in the nation and I am desperate for an answer in where I can get into.

If I can manage to get around a 4.8 unweighted GPA for junior year and 4.0 GPA (meaning straight A’s) and PULL MY OVERALL UNWEIGHTED GPA TO A 3.5 AND WEIGHTED TO A 4.3/4.4, do i have a chance of getting into the likes of the UC system (UCLA or Berkeley/San Diego) and Washington University at St Louis?

PS: I am motivated to well beyond high school, and achieve a successful career in biology/science.My sole purpose of trying to achieve the highest I can is for a meaningful life and a fulfilling feeling for myself and everyone that I can happen to affect.

Thank you for the help to whomever responds! It means a lot

2

Unless something else about you stands out, I think it might be a bit of a reach for some of the schools you want to go to. However, if you get great SATs, participate in some more extracurriculars, and write excellent essays, who knows? If I were you I would really focus on extracurriculars. Good luck!

3

Thank you for replying!

Another question though is, has anyone with a 4.3/4.4 weighted and a 3.5/3.6 unweighted GPA ever gotten into schools such as UCLA?

Also if not, with those GPA standards and my SAT scores/etc described above, which schools do you guys think would be my maximum of getting into (such as top 20s) and which schools would be ideal for me? normal UC’s such as santa barbara? Suggestions please :slight_smile:

4

Are you instate? If so you can weight up to 8 classes for the UC gpa calculation.

5

Yes, I am instate

6

OK, so calculate your UC gpa, then you can see where you are. UC does not use the freshman for gpa calculation. Rely on your GC. Jr year is very important so put your best effort in and work hard. But don’t go around fretting. The chips will fall and it isn’t like winning a prize, you will go on to do well in whatever college you attend. Enjoy life a bit meanwhile.

7

UC GPA calculator: http://rogerhub.com/gpa-calculator-uc/
UC GPA is capped with 8 semesters of Honors/AP/IB classes. Based on your UWGPA and the max honors points, your UC GPA will probably be around 3.9-4.0. If your SAT is around 2100+ and your UC GPA is around 4.0+, then you stand a good chance the UC’s. Just remember to have some solid safety and match schools on your list.

Good Luck.

8

Your junior year will be critical, especially where the UCs are concerned. I understand that the most recent admissions cycle was especially brutal. If it is any comfort, my son got into UCSD and Davis (from out-of-state) with a 3.3-3.4 unweighted GPA, 2060 SAT, and 31 ACT. His UC-weighted GPA was slightly over 4.0. He was not applying to any heavily-impacted STEM departments, though.

9

Thank you guys so much for posting! I feel much more confident now