First generation student

If I am a first generation student applying to csu and ucs, will my chances on acceptance increase? Are there any good scholarships for first gens?

As a First Generation applicant, you will get a small bump in admissions but not enough if you are not academically qualified for these schools in the first place.

UC’s and CSU’s do not offer much in the way of merit scholarships but offer good need-based financial aid if you are a California resident and your income qualifies you for Cal grants and Federal aid.

What are your stats, EC’s and test scores? What CSU’s and UC’s are you targeting?

Do you know your EFC and are you low income?

I am part of a low income family living in California and have an average UC gpa of 3.75 weighted and SAT of 1210(hopefully I can get a better score on the SAT when I take it in December). I am currently in band and track (4 years), play piano (10+ years), and in cabinet for several clubs such as UNICEF, and will be in Skills USA this year. I plan on applying as a kinesiology major for CSULA, CSULB, SDSU, CSUF, CPP, CSUSB, UCM and UCI, UCD(reach schools).

Also, what happens when you apply for the EOP program and don’t get in?

UCM and UCI do not offer Kinesiology as a major so are you applying for Biology? UCD offers an Exercise Biology concentration in their Biological sciences major. Is CSUSB your safety school?

SDSU will be a Reach school also with your stats.

What about Sac state, SFSU or Sonoma state as Safety schools? UCR might also be a good addition to the list.

If you are not accepted into the EOP program, it does not keep you from availing yourself of the school resources to help in your college career.

Here is an example at CSULB: http://web.csulb.edu/divisions/students/sssp/

Seconding UCR rather than UCD.

I just visited Chico State which does have a kinesiology major. Beautiful campus, nice friendly vibe.

@Gumbymom I have not looked into the majors at UCI, UCM, and UCD. My safety schools are CSUSB, CSUN, CSULA, and PCC. Should I add more safety schools on my list?

You have enough Safety schools if you are happy to attend PCC, CSUSB and CSUN. CSULA’s program is impacted and if you are not a local service area applicant, it will not be a Safety.

I would look at the majors at the UC’s before applying to see what will work best to fulfill the PT school requirements.

UCD’s Exercise Biology minor is under the Biological Sciences major which is highly competitive.
https://www.ucdavis.edu/minors/exercise-biology

UCI does have this major: https://emssi.uci.edu/education/b-s-exercise-science/ but it is not a direct admit and you again apply as a Biology major and then after Sophomore year, apply for the program.

Based on my currents stats, do I have a relatively average chance of getting into UCD and UCI?

UCI and UCD should be considered Reach schools based on your stats but definitely apply since you never know how you your application will be reviewed. Anything below a 4.0 UC GPA will make it a tough admit.

You should UCR and UCSC instead. They still are somewhat of a Reach but a reasonable Reach.

2018 Freshman admit rates for UC GPA of 3.40-3.79 capped weighted and not major specific:
UCB: 1%
UCLA: 2%
UCSD: 7%
UCSB: 8%
UCI: 7%
UCD: 14%
UCSC: 33%
UCR: 49%
UCM: 82%

2019 UC capped weighted GPA averages:
UCB: 4.23
UCLA: 4.25
UCSD: 4.23
UCSB: 4.16
UCI: 4.13
UCD: 4.13
UCSC: 3.96
UCR: 3.90
UCM: 3.73

2019 Data:
25th - 75th percentiles for SAT totals:
UCB: 1340-1540

UCLA: 1330-1550
UCSD: 1300-1520
UCSB: 1280-1520
UCD: 1230-1490
UCI: 1250-1510
UCSC: 1200-1450
UCR: 1130-1400
UCM: 1020-1290

I meant to say you should consider UCR and UCSC instead.

@Gumbymom Thank you!!