<p>Parchment predictions are garbage, but their scatterplots are surprisingly accurate for me. Their scatterplots are useful because there are so many different functions to play around with. You can change the x-axis and the y-axis. You can use filters to zoom in on the data. You can also use filters to disregard old data (for example, you can choose to only look at the years 2012-2014). Parchment scatterplots are extremely useful for figuring out whether GPA or test scores are more important for a certain college. The scatterplots can also be used to see how the selectivity of a certain college changes over the years.</p>
<p>When UCD and UCI waitlisted me and UCB, UCLA, UCSD, and Cal Poly SLO rejected me, I was very surprised. I had a 2300 SAT score, a 3.66 UWGPA, a 4.29 WGPA, and a 4.00 UCGPA. Parchment told me I had an 81% chance of being accepted by UCD (which was totally inaccurate). Yet, when I looked at UCD’s scatterplot, I saw five other red dots next to my red dot, which meant that there are people with similar stats to mine who were also rejected/waitlisted. I also learned that UCD and most of the other UCs care about GPA much more than SAT scores. Now, I am no longer surprised by my rejections and waitlists.</p>
<p>You definitely have to consider schools like UCSB and UCSC. Your 3.67 UWGPA is too low for most UCs. Before I learned my results, I thought that in the worst case scenario, I would have to attend UCD. I did not even consider UCSB and UCSC as worthy safeties for me. Fortunately, I applied to them anyways.</p>