Guaranteed admission at UC

Applying to College
1

<p>(I hope this is in the right forum)</p>

<p>I'm looking to get information about being guaranteed admission at a University of California. Both facts and opinions are appreciated. I've heard about this for a while, but it's been hard finding good information. I want to start pre-admissions planning this summer, but I won't have access to my HS counselor until September. I want to know what and how. I've heard various from friends, teachers, etc. but have no clear answers.</p>

<p>I meet the top 9% for both my HS and the State. I have received a letter from my HS asking to send my info to the UCs because of it, but it did not explain more. I have also received a letter from Riverside urging me to participate in their G.A.P. program which is early guaranteed admissions over the summer. Their website claims they are the only UC that does this. The main UC website is vague and says that "if you aren't admitted to any of the UC campuses you apply to, you'll be offered a spot at another campus if space is available".</p>

<p>I'll list my question and some of the things I've heard.</p>

<p>What campuses are eligible?
-Just the "lowers" ones, if so which ones are the lower ones.
-The one nearest to me (well Cal is nearest to me, but I doubt it)
-Any one you want</p>

<p>How do you start the process?
-Is there a deadline
-Do you do it after you are denied</p>

<p>Is it actually a guarantee?
-Can they just say no every single one (even like Merced)</p>

<p>Now just to give you some background info, I am 4.0++ GPA, 33 on ACT (will retake), live near San Francisco, top 5% of class. </p>

<p>I want to go to the Ivies, but I am using the UCs as my realistic schools. I'm pretty confident I'll get into most of the ones I want (UCB, UCLA, UCSD, UCSB), but having this as a backup option would be nice. I don't really want to go to UCR, but I want to know that it exists as a supper back up and that I won't be going to a CC.</p>

2

<p>Bad post. …</p>

3

<p>Bad post, why?</p>

4

<p>[University</a> of California - Statewide path](<a href=“http://www.universityofcalifornia.edu/admissions/freshman/california-residents/admissions-index/index.html]University”>http://www.universityofcalifornia.edu/admissions/freshman/california-residents/admissions-index/index.html)</p>

<p>[University</a> of California - Local path](<a href=“http://www.universityofcalifornia.edu/admissions/freshman/california-residents/local-path/index.html]University”>http://www.universityofcalifornia.edu/admissions/freshman/california-residents/local-path/index.html)</p>

<p>“if space is available”</p>

<p>Merced and Riverside are the least selective UC campuses; presumably any such offers will come from these two (or maybe just Merced, or maybe none if there is no space available). You probably want to officially apply to any and all UC campuses which you are willing to attend, instead of relying on being admitted to a different UC campus “if space is available” if you are denied your choices.</p>

<p>Starting at community college is not necessarily a bad backup option (some do so, transfer to Berkeley, and later go on to top PhD programs in their majors), but may be less suitable if you are very advanced and want to take upper division courses as a freshman or sophomore or are aiming for a major whose prerequisites are hard to find at your local community colleges.</p>

5

<p>Hi, I applied to GAP during my summer. I highly recommend it since it’s free. As long as you meet the requirements, which were 3.9 GPA and 1600 SAT score last summer (you already meet these). I was notified that I was guaranteed admission early into senior year. It feels good to have a back up, but you’ll have to apply again regularly if you wish to be considered for scholarships. I was offered the Highlander scholarship, so it’s worth it. However, I decided to attend UCLA in the Fall. Good luck with your applications! :)</p>

6

<p>Does any one know if there are any measurers I need to take before general admission for the other lower ones (Mercede, Santa Cruz?). Do any have a process like Riverside?</p>

<p>And yes, of course, I am actually applying, but again having a supper-back-up is nice.</p>