I have about 50 community service hours. No EC’s. But my UC GPA should be 4.19 by the end of this year. My SAT Scores are 1860 and 1870 (690 Math, 590 Reading, 580 Writing) (690 Math, 560 Reading, 620 Writing) I’ve taken a ton of AP Classes (AP Euro, AP US, AP English Lang, AP Calculus (AB) and AP Chemistry) and have gotten A’s in all of them. I will be taking AP Calculus (BC), AP English Literature, AP Economics and AP Stats next year. (Plus regular Physics)
Are my grades in scores good enough to get in despite horrible EC’s and not a great amount of volunteer work. I’m in state BTW and I’m a white male.
It is UC Santa Cruz. Unless they have some sort of mandated volunteer requirement, I doubt you will have any trouble getting admitted.
If your EC’s are lacking, you should spend more time on your essays and make them amazing. You also have this summer to do some worthwhile volunteer work to boost your hours. Your GPA is solid, but SAT could improve a bit. There is still time to work on the weak areas of your application. Good Luck.
@Gumbymom What SAT score should I shoot for? (Realistically)
http://admission.universityofcalifornia.edu/campuses/santa-cruz/freshman-profile/
Your SAT is above and your GPA is well above average for UCSC. They evaluate your ap’s strengths and weaknesses against others. Will your academic strength and a strong essay offset less impressive ECs? Probably … but, better safe than sorry.
You have plenty of time to burnish your EC resume. Do something this summer that will give you an interesting story to tell. I’d encourage you to broaden your perspective on ECs, they are much broader than volunteer hours. Think of it as stuff you do outside the classroom. A job, a trip, tutoring, participating in or coaching a sport all count.
Good luck
@NCalRent My problem with EC’s is I really hate being around people for long time (Unless they are one of my close friends) and while not diagnosed I’m pretty sure I have Social Anxiety Disorder. I’m about as introverted as they come. I am going to work at my dads law firm this summer I don’t know if that counts for anything. I might tutor people in Algebra or something. (Had to have surgery on both shoulders)
The had to have surgery on both shoulders was going to come after I said I used to play water polo and had to quit because of injury in 10th grade. Not sure how that got deleted.
Surgery ending your water polo is a trial that UCSC would take intro consideration - be sure to mention it in your essay.
Algebra tutoring (paid or free) is a good idea. Being a lifeguard and/or teaching swim lessons is great too.
They want to know that you did more than play video games in your free time.
@RHSclassof16: I would aim for a 1900+ (which you are very close to now) just to ensure you get an acceptance. If you look at the Freshman Decision thread this year, many higher Stat applicants were waitlisted. Good Luck.
How much will me being ELC help? (My Class rank is 16 out of 414)
Also how many community Service hours should I shoot for? (I have 50 currently)
And is applying under a Economics/Business Major Impacted (I think I want to major in that or Political Science Maybe)
ELC only guarantees that if you are not accepted at a UC of your choice, you will be given a spot at UCM.