Do UC's look at your school and its students as a whole?

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

I am 99% sure I took the most rigorous course load in my grade 10-11, as I took as many AP’s as I could (7), with one of them being AP Physics C Mech (I was the only junior). I unfortunately got B’s both semesters, which hurt my GPA quite a bit. I was wondering if UC’s look at other students and compare their transcripts to other students, and that they will understand it is a hard class and that I was diligent as being the only person in my grade who took that opportunity. Some people have a somewhat higher capped gpa as a result. Will they take that into consideration or no?

2

Here is what the UC’s look at during their application review. Also your school profile will be referred to when reviewing your application so they will look to see how you compare to your fellow HS students.

  1. Academic grade point average in all completed A-G courses, including additional points for completed UC-certified honors courses.
  2. Scores on the following tests: ACT with Writing or the SAT with Essay.
    *3) Number of, content of and performance in academic courses beyond the minimum A-G requirements.
    *    4) Number of and performance in UC-approved honors, Advanced Placement, International Baccalaureate Higher Level and transferable college courses.
    *5) Identification by UC as being ranked in the top 9 percent of your high school class at the end of your junior year (Eligible in the Local Context, or ELC).
    *    6) Quality of your senior-year program as measured by the type and number of academic courses in progress or planned.
    **7) Quality of your academic performance relative to the educational opportunities available in your high school.
  3. Outstanding performance in one or more specific subject areas.
  4. Outstanding work in one or more special projects in any academic field of study.
  5. Recent, marked improvement in academic performance as demonstrated by academic GPA and the quality of coursework completed or in progress.
  6. Special talents, achievements and awards in a particular field, such as visual and performing arts, communication or athletic endeavors; special skills, such as demonstrated written and oral proficiency in other languages; special interests, such as intensive study and exploration of other cultures; experiences that demonstrate unusual promise for leadership, such as significant community service or significant participation in student government; or other significant experiences or achievements that demonstrate the student’s promise for contributing to the intellectual vitality of a campus.
  7. Completion of special projects undertaken in the context of your high school curriculum or in conjunction with special school events, projects or programs.
  8. Academic accomplishments in light of your life experiences and special circumstances, including but not limited to: disabilities, low family income, first generation to attend college, need to work, disadvantaged social or educational environment, difficult personal and family situations or circumstances, refugee status or veteran status.
    14)Location of your secondary school and residence.

**indicates the areas in which are being compared based on school profile.

3

That’s an excellent list of criteria. Are they in relative order of importance?

4

For the UC’s what is considered Very Important is GPA, test scores, HS course rigor and PIQ’s. EC’s are considered important.

The importance of the 14 areas of review criteria can vary from campus to campus.

Here is another comprehensive list of Freshman application review criteria by campus:

  • BERKELEY

  • Very important: Academic GPA, Application essay, Rigor of secondary school record, Standardized test scores
  • Important: Extracurricular activities, Volunteer work, Work experience
  • Considered: Character/personal qualities, First generation college student, State residency, AP/IBLH exam scores
  • Note: Thorough review of academic performance; likely contribution to intellectual and cultural vitality of the campus; diversity in personal background and experience; demonstrated qualities in leadership, motivation, concern for others and community; non-academic achievement in the performing arts, athletics or employment; demonstrated interest in major.
  • LOR's by invitation only as of 2017 Division (L&S, CNR, CoC, CED, CoE) matters for admission selectivity. Within CoE (but not the other divisions), major matters for admission selectivity. Changing majors within the CoE after enrolling is not guaranteed, unless one is CoE undeclared. 
    Note that L&S admits students as undeclared; admission to capped            majors (e.g. CS, economics, psychology, ORMS, statistics, art practice,         and a few others) is by college GPA in prerequisite courses (and                portfolio for art practice) after attending for a few semesters.

The business major is in a separate division and admits students in a       competitive holistic process. Frosh intending business majors begin in      another division (usually L&S), take the business major prerequisites,      and apply (usually in their second years). They also need to take               prerequisites for a backup major in case they are not admitted to the       business major.

All students who apply to UC Berkeley and select a major within the             College of Natural Resources are evaluated based on their application,      not on the particular major they select.

  •   DAVIS

  •   Very important: Academic GPA, Application essay, Rigor of secondary school record, Standardized test scores

  •   Important: Character/personal qualities, Extracurricular activities, Talent/ability, Volunteer work

  •   Considered: First generation college student, Geographical residence, State residency, Work experience

  •   Note: Scholastic achievement most important, followed by school and community activities, academic interests, special circumstances, special achievements and awards

    Admission decisions are made based upon the qualifications of the applicant pool and the number of available spaces within each academic area:
    • College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences admits by college
    • College of Biological Sciences admits by college
    • College of Letters and Science admits by division within the college
    • (Humanities, Arts and Cultural Studies; Mathematics and Physical Sciences; Social Sciences)
    • College of Engineering admits by academic department
    Students applying as “undeclared” or “undeclared/exploratory” are considered within the college/division to which they applied.

  •   IRVINE

  •   Very important: Academic GPA, Application essay, Extracurricular activities, Level of applicant's interest, Rigor of secondary school record, Standardized test scores, Talent/ability, Volunteer work, Work experience

  •   Important: Character/personal qualities, Class rank

  •   Considered: First generation college student, Geographical residence, State residency

  •   Note: Demonstrated record of academic preparation, educational engagement, talent and skills important.
  • Freshman Selection: UCI admits into the University first and then into the major. In the case that UCI is unable to accommodate all qualified applicants in their first-choice major, those students who indicate a valid alternate major may be offered admission in that major or Undeclared.
    • LOS ANGELES
  •   Very important: Academic GPA, Application essay, Rigor of secondary school record, Standardized test scores

  •   Important: Character/personal qualities, Extracurricular activities, Talent/ability, Volunteer work, Work experience

  •   Considered: First generation college student, Geographical residence, AP/IBHL exam scores

  •   Note: GPA, test scores, course work, number of and performance in honors and AP courses most important. Essay considered. Strong senior program important. Extracurricular activities, honors and awards also reviewed.

    For the College of Letters and Science, the applicant’s major is not considered during the review process. The Henry Samueli School of Engineering and Applied Science admits students by declared major, with more emphasis on science and math programs. The School of Nursing also places more emphasis on science and math programs and requires the submission of an additional supplemental application. The School of the Arts and Architecture; Herb Alpert School of Music; and the School of Theater, Film and Television admit students by declared major (within the school), and put more emphasis on special talents through a review of portfolios and/or auditions, which are the most significant admission factors for these schools.

  •   MERCED

  •   Very important: Academic GPA, Application essay, Rigor of secondary school record, Standardized test scores

  •   Important: Class rank, Extracurricular activities, Talent/ability

  •   Considered: Character/personal qualities, First generation college student, Geographical residence, Level of applicant's interest, Recommendations, State residency, Volunteer work, Work experience

  •   Note: Academic record and test scores determine eligibility.

See next post for the rest of the campuses.

5
  • RIVERSIDE

  • Very important: Academic GPA, Application essay, Rigor of secondary school record, Standardized test scores
  • Considered: Character/personal qualities, Extracurricular activities, First generation college student, State residency, Talent/ability, Volunteer work, Work experience
  • Note: A fixed weight point system comprehensive review model that culminates in an Academic Index Score to determine admission for incoming freshmen.

  • SAN DIEGO

  • Very important: Academic GPA, Application essay, Rigor of secondary school record, Standardized test scores
  • Important: Character/personal qualities, Extracurricular activities, First generation college student, State residency, Talent/ability, Volunteer work, Work experience
  • Note: High school course pattern, GPA, essay and test scores most important. Admission for out-of-state applicants more selective than for residents. The campus does not admit students on the basis of academic major or choice of UC San Diego undergraduate college. Alternate majors are considered. Also note: Capped majors require additional pre-req courses and specific GPA to be able to qualify to if changing majors.

  • SANTA BARBARA

  • Very important: Academic GPA, Application essay, Rigor of secondary school record, Standardized test scores
  • Considered: Character/personal qualities, Class rank, Extracurricular activities, First generation college student, Level of applicant's interest, State residency, Talent/ability, Volunteer work, Work experience
  • Note: Eligibility established by high school GPA, course requirement, and SAT scores. Special consideration for disadvantaged students.
  • Freshman Selection: College of Letters and Sciences: Choice of major is not considered in selection to the College of Letters and Science. The exceptions to this rule are dance and music performance majors. Both majors require applicants to complete an audition in late January or early February.

    College of Engineering: Students are selected by major for all engineering and computer science majors. Only applicants with a solid background in advanced high school mathematics will be considered for admission to engineering. This includes high grades in all math courses through grade 11 and enrollment in pre-calculus or higher in grade 12. A student not selected for their first choice major will be reviewed for admission to an alternate major outside of the College of Engineering if one was selected.

    College of Creative Studies:
    Applicants to the College of Creative Studies submit a supplementary application in addition to the general UC Application, which is reviewed by Creative Studies faculty. Students are selected within Creative Studies majors only. Applicants not selected for Creative Studies will automatically be considered for admission to the College of Letters and Science.

  •   SANTA CRUZ

  •   Very important: Academic GPA, Application essay, Rigor of secondary school record, Standardized test scores, State residency

  •   Important: Character/personal qualities, Extracurricular activities, First generation college student, Geographical residence, Talent/ability

  •   Considered: Volunteer work, Work experience

  •   Note: Test scores, GPA in required subjects most important. Personal statement very important.
  • Admission Selection: Important Note for Prospective Engineering Students: Choice of major does not influence the selection of first-year students, except for those applicants interested in a major offered by the Jack Baskin School of Engineering (BSOE). Freshmen who are interested in a BSOE program should be sure to indicate a BSOE proposed major. Students who do not indicate a BSOE program or who apply as undeclared might not be able to pursue a BSOE program. 
6

@wluo329 . . .

“To whom much is given, much is required.” This is how UC determines a more refined eligibility with respect to the individual high schools . . . so yes, at the better high schools with lots of AP, better teachers, and better funding, their students will have to show more in APs, gpa, and scores, especially for UCLA and UCB.

But as I was looking at the source-school data for about 10 minutes, it was evident that the difference between these two UCs is that B had a higher acceptance rate from these better schools than LA, beyond the greater self-selection factor that has applied to B’s applicants as it historically has materially less of them than LA, per year.

However, there isn’t any draconian, devious tactics to cap the numbers of particular high schools by comparing students as evidenced by B taking upwards of 30 students from certain high schools, and LA just wanting to accept a bit more of those from really bad high schools, by essentially spreading the love.

So as how this applies to you: you are in essence competing more against your classmates than those who attend other schools because of the variance in quality of schools (assuming you attend a better hs). But if you’ve taken as many APs as you could at you school, then though your gpa has fallen because of the greater rigor, you should still be looked upon favorably.

I don’t see any eligibility-killer C-grades, so if you apply widely within UC, you should be fine.