Getting into a UC

So Im almost done with junior year and im wondering about college. Can i get into a UC ? I have failed (Ds) geometry freshman year and algebra 2 trig junior year. I had a 3.2 unweighted and 3.3 weighted sophmore year. This year i have a 3.3 unweighted and 3.7 weighted. Im taking algebra 2 in summerschool and moving on to prob and statistics next year. I am taking all ap clases and doing pretty ok in all clases but math. Is there any way i can get into a uc ? Any uc ? If not, is my best option going to a csu or community college? Thanks

See http://admission.universityofcalifornia.edu/counselors/files/quick-reference-2015.pdf (page 17) for information how you can validate courses where you earned D grades in by completing more advanced courses with C or higher grades.

Note that CSU has essentially the same math requirements and validation rules as UC, except that UC does not allow validation of a *missing/i geometry.

http://www.calstate.edu/SAS/documents/csu-uc-a-gcomparisonmatrix.pdf

not really enough info to assess your shot at UCs. Without your test scores, a sense of your ECs and course rigor, I am guessing.

If you can’t check the math box on the a-g course matrix, both UCs and CSUs are out… seriously.

That said, a 3.4ish GPA and mid range test scores, you are probably a solid candidate for UCM.

For CSUs, Chico Sonoma, and San Marcos are worth a look. Depending on major CP Pomona and SJSU could also work out.

Unless you get the math figured out, a CC is likely your best first step.

I redid geometry sophmore year and passed and im going to summer school for algebra 2 , does that not mean the a-g math requirements are met ?

If you pass Algebra 2 with a C or higher, then yes you have met the minimum requirements. If you are intent on getting into a UC, then you need to perform above and beyond the minimum. You are competing with applicants that have achieved good grades for 3 years in HS, so you need to have that something extra to have a chance at any UC considered more competitive than UCM. A UC is not a golden ticket and if you are a California resident, the Cal states are an excellent option to help you achieve your future interests as well as many of the UC’s. Do not focus just on the UC’s, but look for schools that fit your stats, not the other way around. Many times it is better to be a big fish in a small pond, than a small fish in a big pond.

Work on your test prep, do EC’s that interest you and you will end up somewhere great.

Good Luck.

I am going to take another math class senior year and i have been taking all ap classes and i think i passed all the ap test i took this year. Im in varsity swimming and band. Do these help my chances ?

If your ultimate goal is to get into a UC then I would recommend you attend a California Community College.

After going to a CCC and doing well you have the ability to TAG (Transfer Agreement Guarantee), which allows you get guarantee your admissions to a UC (LA, Berkeley, and SD are excluded from TAG). Irvine, SB, UCR, UCM, and Santa Cruz are eligible.

Many community colleges also have a TAP (Transfer Alliance Program) with UCLA (in SoCal) and Berkeley (in NorCal). TAP essentially gives your priority to UCLA and Berkeley if you complete the program and requirements.

TAG requirements different from each school, but generally are the same. Maintain a certain gpa (3.2 for UCSB/3.4 for UCI), complete certain major requirements, complete certain amount of units, etc. Each school’s TAG requirements can be found on the schools website.

TAP is not a guarantee, but priority still helps a lot, especially to competitive schools like UCB and UCLA. The requirements at my community college were to do 15 units of honors (Honors in college is not like high school, General Ed. honors classes are super easy) and to have at least a 3.5 gpa when applying and maintaining it after applying (3.5 unweighted, there are no weighted grades in college).

Soo to sum things up. Community College is not a bad choice by any means if you are willing to work hard and strive to transfer. Getting into a UC from a California Community College is very doable. You save money, have a higher chance of getting into a UC than from high school, and have just as good or an even better education (University professors focus much more on their research, while CC professors focus more on teaching because they dont have to do research).

I went to Orange Coast College for 2 years. I am ending my second year this spring and am transferring to UCSD!

Good Luck!

Thanks for all the info. I am planning on going to a community college if i dont get into a UC. What i was wondering is that do i even have a shot at getting accepted into any ? Should i apply ?

If you can afford the application fees, I would apply to UC Merced/Riverside and Santa Cruz where you would have the best chances. Definitely apply to some Cal States unless it’s a UC or a CCC.