Hi everyone!
I’m currently a sophomore in high school, and I’m most likely ending the year with a 3.6 unweighted GPA (freshman+sophomore year). I took 5 honors classes so far in high school and no AP’s yet. I’m taking 2 AP’s next year and 2 honors, and most likely 3-4 AP’s senior year. I’m really focusing on bringing my grades up, but even if I get a 4.0 next year, my high school GPA would still be 3.7.
Could I get some real advice on how I could use extracurriculars to help strengthen my college applications due to my unfavorable GPA? I feel that I haven’t done enough in my school and community that would stand out. I’m in the marching band/wind ensemble and French honor society. I started a business freshman year that has had 5,000+ sales as of now. Please give me your real advice on what I could do to strengthen my extracurriculars. Should I look for volunteering opportunities for the summer (how many hours would actually make a difference for college) or work? Would joining clubs junior year look bad? Thanks so much everyone!
side note - my dream school is UCLA and I am out of state if that makes a difference.
When I was applying as a freshman, I had a similar academic schedule to yours. I took my first AP class my junior year, then 3 more as a senior and got 4s and 5s on my AP tests. MY SAT/ACT scores were pretty good, considering that I took the ACT without studying and only redid the SAT once. I had a 3.94 my senior year and a weighted 4.71 by the spring semester, but I lacked extracurriculars and didn’t get into UCLA (but I did get into UCSD and UCSB, as well as some Cal States). Even so, I chose to go to community college because I didn’t want to waste my time and money at a school I didn’t want to attend. If it gets to that point for you, I’d recommend a similar approach. Life is too short and school costs too much to settle!
First of all, academics are paramount. You still have time to raise your GPA and add some rigor to your course schedule, but don’t bet on getting a 4.0. It’s going to be hard work, and if you stumble you’ll be screwed. Buckle down and get ready, and if you come out on top then more power to you!
Since you’re out of state, it’s going to be extra difficult to get into UCLA, especially depending on your financial aid needs. If you’re in need, they’ll be less likely to take you.
As for extracurriculars, I learned from extensive research on getting into Ivy Leagues and top UCs that they’re looking for passion and leadership, not a specific number of hours. If you’re passionate about your business, run with it! That’s a great and very unique thing to be doing at your grade level. Join clubs with causes you care about, and volunteer to support causes that mean something to you. It doesn’t matter when you join. Just don’t join clubs and volunteer for the sake of a resume. They’ll see right through that. And when you’re writing your app essays, you can talk about all you’ll gain from being involved in causes that matter to you and give you a sense of pride/accomplishment. That’s a meaningful contribution to both your community and your application. Even better, find leadership positions or create your own (if the opportunities don’t come to you) that show initiative.
Once you round out your app with purposeful and meaningful ECs, and bring up your grades and academic rigor, I think you’ve got a fairly good shot at most schools. Just remember that UCLA receives the most freshman applications of any college in the world, and don’t be too down on yourself if you don’t get in. Some of the best and brightest don’t! Best of luck to you!
Personally I think that you should not worry about UCLA. Instead, focus on doing well on your academics, and on doing what you want to do. Your business might be a good thing to focus on if you like doing it.
When the time come to thing about universities, you need to find a match to what you want to do. This might not be a “big name” university. Also. you will need to find out what you can afford and pay attention to what each university is likely to cost.
UCLA is a rather high reach for someone with an unweighted 3.6. Also, it is likely to be very expensive for an out of state student. However, there will be many other universities where you will do well. The trick is to find the one that is a good fit for you.
If UCLA is your goal I think you need to revise your course selection for next year. The UC’s consider your UC GPA for grades 10-11, and give a 1 point bump for up to 8 semesters of AP (or approved honors but that applies to instate). Read this to mean that you must take 8 semesters of AP to be competitive given your current GPA. I am not sure what your Sophomore GPA is but if it is in the same 3.6 range you need to try to get your UC GPA over 4.0 by the end of junior year - only way that is possible is with AP, and get mostly A’s next year. It is totally possible, and the path to UC’s that most take. Agree with advice above as well - shoot for UCLA but have other solid and possibly more affordable choices as well.