<p>so im posting for a friend of mine - he needs some help.</p>
<p>he just finished his junior year and will be a senior next year.</p>
<p>his UC GPA is 3.55. hes taken a couple of APs already, like AP US, AP spanish, ap euro, ap stats, and ap english.</p>
<p>He wants to go to a big name school like UCLA or USC, but hes worried his GPA is too low. His gpa is low because he took hard AP classes while also facing severe family issues. also, although his UC GPA is 3.55, he's recieved one D and 2 C's. but then again, the family issues are very apparent, including switching schools midyear and other factors.</p>
<p>he's only taken the SAT once, but got 1820. his math score was 710 and his other categories were below 600. He plans on spending this summer, the one before his senior year, to focus on the SAT. hes going to take a 2100 gaurentee class, and i believe that he will come out with at least a 2000. </p>
<p>do you think theres a chance for him to get into any bigger name UC's, like LA, SB, or Irvine? or any private schools like chapman, occidental? he wants to go to a nice school in southern california, majoring bio to become a doctor.</p>
<p>do you think its even worth it for him to try hard right now and spend money on an SAT program (please dont bring up the factor of studying by yourself vs spending money on a program - i've already thoroughly discussed that with him). With a UC GPA of 3.55 and a D and 2 C's on your transcript, will UCLA or USC still accept him even if he does get above 2000, or 2100?</p>
<p>with that GPA it might be hard for UCLA, but as long as he can get it up a little and get SATs up a little Irvine and SB shouldn't be hard at all...</p>
<p>yes, idiot, i am sure this is my friend. i already applied and got into school, why dont u look at my other posts before you post something that makes u look like a complete duesche. thats really disrespectful.</p>
<p>as far as everyone else, thanks for your posts, but how can you bring up the GPA? its too late, hes already done with his junior year, and only few private schools bother with your first semester senior year grades, and of course your accepted before your 2nd semester grades. so im pretty sure bringing up gpa is out of the question...</p>
<p>is there anything else anything anyone can recommend? do you really think SB and Irvine would still be that easy with a 2000+ and the 3.55 with a D and 2 C's? </p>
<p>is there any way he can acquire a good hook to get him in? it would have to be something attainable in a short amount of time.</p>
<p>his hook would be his family situation. it is something that makes him unique and explains his situation.</p>
<p>some people do not mention personal factors affecting their stats on their application, because they feel it shouldn't matter and they don't want to use it as a crutch. but as long as outside affairs aren't used as an excuse, they should very much be used to explain what went on. that is, after all, why they give you a whole space for them.</p>
<p>as far as SAT's go, it's generally held that you gain 100 points your second try just from practice effects alone. that would put him around 1920. if the whole summer program gets him only to 2000, that's less than 100 points more than if he'd just practiced and retaken it on his own. however, if he wants the peace of mind in knowing he will improve, any program should give him the practice, security, and even placebo effect to boost his score for sure. but he doesn't need to pick some pricey program. all he needs is practice and a steady schedule.</p>
<p>a class is only there just to make you stick to a schedule. </p>
<p>i stuck to books, and did pretty well on SAT. the SAT's arent really about real-world knowledge, but rather test-taking skills and how familiar you are with SATs.</p>
<p>Things do not look good for your friend. Some people will tell you otherwise, but he is going to need a miracle in order to get into ucla with a low gpa and low sat. You have not told us about EC's, but i am assuming they aren't outstanding since you left them out. </p>
<p>Some people rely on "situations" to make themselves think they have a better chance than they actually do, and this might (or might not be) be the case here. Unless he articulates his situation very well, he will not get into ucla.</p>
<p>i kno this friend as well...(ohnonomiss is my cuzn lol)</p>
<p>his ECs are doing cross country for all 3 years and he is plannin to continue senior year as well. In addition to track for 2 years</p>
<p>he is volunteerin at a hospital and will probably reach 150 hours by the time he applies.</p>
<p>also, his major family problem is losin his father. after all of this, and with at least a 2050 SAT I, do you guys think he will have a chance in LA, USC, or SB?</p>