Do my specific accoutrements help give me a place in the UC system?

Colleges and Universities A-Z University of California - GENERAL
1

I am a high school junior, and I am applying to UC Irvine, UC Riverside, UCLA, and UC Santa Barbara. While I am applying to plethora of state schools, a UC is my greatest preference.

However, I am aware that each school I am applying to is selective to some degree or another, and my grades and test scores are a large concern of mine. However, I have a pretty impressive repertoire of extracurricular activities and hobbies, as well as a decent amount of awards and accolades.

In a rather boastful fashion, I am now going to list multiple factors that I will for sure mention in my college application. Based on your knowledge of what each of my colleges of choice accept and reject, do I qualify for the UC system?

Without further ado, here is this parade of pretentiousness:
3.8-3.9 average
1200 on new SAT (will be retaking)
Record of AP and honors courses
French Honors Society
CSF
Speech and Debate (some awards in this category)
Journalism (awards)
10-year background in theatre
Writing-based blog that I upload frequently, since mid-2015
4 novels written in lifetime (finishing fourth; hope to publish it)
4-year-long community service job at my synagogue
Potentially high AP scores (4/5 on Lang and APUSH)
Community college courses
Maybe an internship
Upward trend in grades (hopefully)
Sophisticated writing tactics I can apply to my personal statements
2-year-long commitment to thespian club
Potential leadership position on speech and debate

While some of these are to be decided, I feel that although my grades are nothing extraordinary, will my other commitments, skills and endeavors suffice?

2

Is you 3.8 or 3.9 GPA unweighted or UC weighted or something else?

3

https://rogerhub.com/gpa-calculator-uc/

4

It would be UC weighted

5

Are you out of state? And are you taking a prep course before retaking the SAT?

6

No, and yes.

7

Intended major?
Although UC’s are very GPA focused, your EC’s can make you stand out from the rest of the qualified applicants, but GPA and test scores are still #1 and essays are given more weight over EC’s.

UCSB states that for their application review: 50% for academics (GPA/Test scores/HS course rigor) 50% EC’s and essays, so they could help your chances.

UCLA can also be slightly more holisitic beyond stats, but your UC GPA is below average for all but 3 of the 9 UC campuses. Intended major will also determine how competitive you are for each campus.

Freshman admit rates for UC GPA of 3.80-4.19:

UCB: 14%
UCLA: 14%
UCSD: 44%
UCSB: 54%
UCD: 58%
UCI: 65%
UCSC: 85%
UCR: 94%
UCM: 96%

Apply widely to the UC’s and make sure you have 1-2 safety schools on your list.

8

…and consider toning down the grandiosity in word choices. It doesn’t reflect well IMHO. Don’t fear authenticity. It will help you in school and in life. Good luck!

9

I plan on majoring in Communications and double majoring in creative writing (the latter is only applicable to UCR, which I have now realized is my top choice)

10

Gah that’s a habit that I’ve been meaning to kick. I do have a grasp on balancing being articulate and speaking like a normal person (one of the many benefits of blogging) which will hopefully prevail in my essays.

11

This was beyond helpful. Thank you so much!