Do I get accepted at this UCs out of merit or out of being out of state?

Applying to College
1

<p>I got accepted into UCSB, UCD, and UCI as my highest ranked UCs. Although, as I far as I can see, I saw some people with higher statistics than mine get rejected. I am out of state and i have heard some rumors about UCs being more inclined to accept out of state applicant due to the current economic atmosphere in California. My stats are: </p>

<p>SAT 1:</p>

<p>Writing 620
Crit Reading 630
Math 570</p>

<p>Total 1820</p>

<p>SAT II
Chemistry: 660
Biology 630
Literature: 580</p>

<p>I also take the IB diploma and I'm averaging a 33 at the moment with the following grade ranges:</p>

<p>Biology HL: 6-7
Chemistry HL: 5-6
History HL: 6
Math SL: 5
English SL A1: 6
Italian AB initio: 5</p>

<p>These grades can vary. I've also taken the IGCSEs and I received the following grades:</p>

<p>Chemistry A*
Biology A*
English Literature A*
History A
English Language A
Geography A
Physics A
Math B
Physics B</p>

<p>As for my 9th and 10th grade gpa, those are my low points. For 9th I had 2.71 and for 10th I had 2.87 (excluding the IGCSEs). As for extracurriculars of noteworthy mention:</p>

<p>THIMUN (The Hague International Model United Nations) x2 in 10th and 11th grade
GIN (Global Issues Network) Conference (53 schools attended) 11th grade
Two Inter-regional Global Issues Debates
Created and Maintaining two online study groups (Facebook) for Chemistry and Biology
Publication in a magazine for Third Culture Kids
National Honors Society</p>

<p>Really to be perfectly honest, I have no idea. Mine are certainly not the lowest of the low for accepted statistics, but they are certainly not high. Please be honest, did I or did I not get accepted out of merit?</p>

2

<p>I have, however, managed to improve my IB score average to 35 in my senior year, but they do not take that into account in reviewing the application…</p>

3

<p>bump…</p>

4

<p>Hi! While it does seem that the UCs are balancing their budgets by accepting more out-of-state students, rest assured that they get way more qualified applicants than they have room for. If they accepted you, then it is on your merit. Don’t get caught up in comparing your “stats” with others. Colleges have no reason to accept students unless they believe those students will succeed. </p>

<p>By the way, your SAT scores aren’t super amazing but I think your course work is impressive and rigorous. Congratulations!</p>

5

<p>Thanks for the reassurance</p>