Honest opinions are welcome

Chance Me / Match Me!
1

Okay, So I will be a Senior next year and I have begun to start looking at colleges. I would like to know what the College Confidential community thinks my chances are to be accepted into my target schools, those being: University of California Los Angeles (UCLA), University of Southern California (USC), University of California San Diego, University of Chicago, or University of California Irvine (UCI), Loyola Marymount University (LMU).
Okay so this is basically what I look like:
-~3.5 weighted GPA (grades 10-11)
-10 total AP classes completed (by the end of senior year total will be 10)
-Mexican & Partially Native American
-1st generation college student
-Lives in a generally rough neighborhood in Los Angeles (i don’t know if that information is relevant…sorry)
-Graduated Ryman Arts
-3rd Place in Karen Bass Congressional Art competition
-Link Crew Leader (mentor to freshman at school)
-Academic Mentor (I tutor struggling students during and after school)
-ASB (Associative Student Body) - Cite Council Representative (I represent the school at city meetings)
-ASB Recycling coordinator (I make sure the school is clean and launch cleaning campaigns as well as recycling events)
-Vice-President of the American Red Cross club - 2 years
-Secretary of the American Red Cross Club - 1 year
-Involved in AVPA (Academy of Visual and Performing Arts) basically the school’s art department
-80 community service hours
-1420 New SAT score
-School Outstanding citizenship award - I got off my bus 3 miles before my stop to help an old blind lady walk to her house a few blocks down.
-I was told by my school’s English department that my general admissions statement was “incredibly powerful”
I’m Male (I did not know where to put this information or whether or not it is relevant)

Thank You for taking the time to read this, I understand students such as myself must be annoying with so many questions on their chances to get into college.

In addition to your opinion I would love to receive some advice on what I can do to better my chances, or even life advice… Thanks!

2

Your ECs look very good (strong community involvement, and clear leadership). In addition, first generation is a good “hook” (of course it depends on how much attention the college pays to factors like that. Most schools say they consider it). I can’t tell where you are in terms of SATs because common data sets don’t yet show the new SAT scores, so I’m basing this off GPA and my own opinion.

UCLA- reach. It’s a very selective school, and only 3.1% of students who have your GPA (3.5) get admitted. Although that is UC GPA, and I don’t know what your UC GPA is.

USC- high match. Still incredibly selective, but more students with your GPA get admitted.

UCSD- probably a reach, based on your GPA. Selective school.

U of Chicago- It’s a reach for practically everyone. (50% of test takers had been 1440 and 1540 on their SAT). Very tough school. They look for very unique individuals- known for being sort of a quirky intellectual school.

UCI- high match.

Loyola- high target.

As to some overall tips, I would recommend possibly re-taking the SAT if that is an option, if you think you could raise the score to 1500+. Additionally, you should try to take 2 or 3 SAT IIs, since some of your schools require them (I’ve listed the requirements below):

UCSD requires SAT IIs. UCI and UCLA recommend SAT IIs. Loyola and USC will consider them if submitted. UChicago not required.

3

I agree with @younceonhismouth’s assessment however UCSD along with the rest of the UC’s do not require SAT subject tests but are recommended for many of the majors and could make you a more competitive applicant. Other than your GPA, you look like a very qualified applicant. URM status will not help at the UC’s but could help at the other schools on your list. First generation and difficult life circumstances can bump up your chances. You need some solid Match/ Safety schools. Consider UCSC/UCR/SDSU/CPP if you are in-state CA.

Good luck.