Do I have any chance of acceptance? (PLEASE READ EVERYTHING BEFORE REPLYING)

Colleges and Universities A-Z University of California - Santa Barbara
1

<p>I'm really scared because I have average stats and UCSB is one of my top choices.</p>

<p>POSITIVES
~ I got an 1820 on my SAT (not spectacular, but not that bad either).
~ Upward trend in grades.
~ I wrote some really solid & persuasive essays (my teacher read it and even said I'll get accepted, and he's also a professor at the local CC).
~ Dedicated to community service.
~ Advanced piano player (I compose music as well)
~ One of my high school newspaper articles got published in the local magazine.
~ Received Certificate of Journalism.
~ I applied as an English/Sociology major, which I believe isn't as competitive.</p>

<p>NEGATIVES:
~ Didn't take any AP classes until this year due to my struggle with anxiety as a sophomore & junior (which I explained in my essays...also explained how I overcame it & the significant lessons I learned).
~ Low GPA.
~ Worst grades are from sophomore & junior year. :(
~ SAT score isn't a 2000+ to counterbalance my GPA completely.</p>

<p>TOTAL GPA: 3.4W, 3.3UW
UC GPA: 3.19W, 3.16UW</p>

<p>Here are all my courses with my grades per semester.</p>

<p>FRESHMAN
1st sem / 2nd sem GPA: 3.83 / 3.83
Geometry - A / B+
English 1 - A / A
Earth Science - B+ / B
PE - A / A
Journalism - A / A
Spanish 1 - A / A</p>

<p>SOPHOMORE
1st sem / 2nd sem GPA: 3.67 / 2.67
Biology - B / C+
Algebra 2 - B / D+
English 2 - A / B+
Spanish 2 - A / A
World History - A / B
PE - A / B</p>

<p>JUNIOR
1st sem / 2nd sem GPA: 2.83 / 3.33
Spanish 3 - B / B
Junior Lit/Advanced Comp - B / A
US History - B / B
Econ/Health - B / A
Chemistry - C+ / B+
Algebra 2 (had to retake) - B / B</p>

<p>SENIOR
1st sem GPA - 3.83W, 3.67UW
Government - A
Piano - A
Trig/Precal - B
AP Lit/Comp - A
Physics - B
Computer Graphics - A</p>

<p>Here's a description of all my ECs/community services:
~ Volunteer at a local food bank since freshman year.
~ Wrote for the school newspaper in Journalism Club (9th grade)
~ High school recycling team (9th grade)
~ Attended campus & coastal cleanup events for Key Club (10th grade)
~ Fundraiser for Future Business Leaders of America (11th, 12th grade)
~ Peer tutor for National Honor Society (12th grade)</p>

<p>Etc. (Hooks):
~ I attend a very competitive public high school (my school is actually known for having A LOT of seniors get accepted to UC's).
~ In-state.
~ Low income.
~ 1st generation applicant.
~ Asian/Pacific Islander.
~ My sibling got accepted to UCLA last year (which I mentioned in one of my essays)</p>

<p>Also applied to: UCSC, UCD, UCSD</p>

2

<p>You have a lot of strengths, including your piano playing and journalism. Also your grades your senior year are strong, though they won’t be counted. Your SAT is decent.</p>

<p>Here is a link to the Common Data Set for 2012-13. You will see that less than 2% of applicants were admitted with a GPA less than 3.25. It’s conceivable that you could be in that 2%. But I also encourage you to think of other options. </p>

<p>For instance, two years of a community college at, say, Santa Barbara City college. You could then transfer. </p>

<p>Have you applied to other schools? Any CSUs or LACs? Your stats will get you in somewhere.</p>

3

<p>@calla1 I only applied to UCD, UCSB, UCSC, and UCSD. I know UCSD is a long shot for me. UCD and UCSB are my top 2 choices, UCSC is my backup. I wrote some pretty solid essays, so hopefully that can be my saving grace</p>

4

<p>@UCh0peful: You have several posts asking for your chances at the different UC’s. What are hoping to accomplish by having all these posts? I really think you need to find a few more backups instead of just UCSC. As I have posted before, I think UCSC is a high match (50%-60%) chance for acceptance but that is not a guarantee. I really hate to see you not get into any schools. Did you check with a GC about your chances before applying?? I would have recommended that you have at least 1-2 Cal States or privates as safeties. Competition for the UC’s is tough and I wish a lot of luck. I am speaking from experience with my older son whom applied last year. He chose a non-competitive major with a GPA of 4.2 and ACT of 25. He was rejected from UCLA/UCSD & UCSB. He was accepted to UCD where he is currently attending but I thought he had a great chance at UCSB. You never know what they are looking for in admissions. Also you really have to ready to work hard to maintain a decent GPA once you are in a UC. He just received his first “C” grade and was devastated. You have to remember, the majority of students at the UC’s are close to 4.0 GPA’s and to compete, you need to work twice has hard. </p>

5

<p>@Gumbymom I want to get different opinions & feedback from different people. I know that no one can foretell the future and say for sure whether or not I’ll get in, but I also know that the admissions process is very random and different for everyone. Last year my cousin got into UCD with ~3.5 GPA, 4 AP classes (total) and 1920 SAT, whereas her friend got rejected with a 4.0+ GPA, 10+ AP classes, and 1780 SAT. And another person I know got into UCD last year too and he was hardly ever at school.</p>

<p>I’m a very hard worker and I know what to expect in college (my sibling is at UCLA). And I know that no matter what anyone on this forum says, it won’t determine the ultimate admission decision. I just want to see what other people think. I’m sure if you were a 17-year-old senior trying to get into college you’d have a better understanding why I’m on CC in the first place.</p>

<p>Thanks for wishing me luck, but if you’re irritated with my posts & you’re going to keep replying with the same feedback, don’t bother reading my threads. </p>

6

<p>No matter how many times you ask - your chances are the same. If those are the only schools you applied to - it’s time to start contemplating Plan B. You clearly got some bum advice about where to apply. Its too bad - as i said in the other thread, there are lots of CA schools that would be happy to have you. </p>

<p>Unfortunately, the main CSU application window is closed - it looks like a few of the less selective campuses are still accepting applications. Check CSUMentor.edu for the current list. I’d start there. Other open deadline schools like UNR are also be worth a look. Of course your CC is an option as well. I’d suggest you research quickly. Deadlines and registration dates come sooner than you think.</p>

<p>If i may ask - did the thought you might not make into a UC ever cross your mind?</p>

7

<p>OP, I know you are scared, and I wish you very good luck. Looking at your solid senior year, I’m sure you’ll do fine at college.</p>

<p>Hopefully you will get into a UC. But please consider your backup, so you have a plan if you don’t get into Santa Cruz. You may not need it but it’s better to be prepared than stuck without a plan.</p>

8

<p>Why do people discount uc Santa Cruz? It’s a solid school and heck that shouldn’t be your “backup” lol I would say more of a reach there no offense. You’ve mentioned your sibling we get it, but I don’t think he got into ucla with the same stats as you. Look, take the advice of the others here start a plan b because it wouldn’t surprise me if you got rejected from them all as it’s a very possible thing.</p>