How do my prospects look? (Chances)

Colleges and Universities A-Z University of California - Davis
1

<p>I’ve applied as a Neurobiology, Physiology, and Behavior Science (NPB) major and as these final hours come about before decisions, I’m trying to set realistic expectations. Here is my profile. So far, I’ve gotten into San Jose State and Willamette University, but I got rejected by Cal Poly SLO (all as bio majors). As such, I’m having trouble gauging my chances here as well as with regards to other UC’s.</p>

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<p>My Very Rigorous High School:</p>

<h1>1 ranked public, #13 in california, #67 nationally (as per US News)</h1>

<p>95% AP participation rate
1987,1997, 2008 National Blue Ribbon School
1987, 1996, 2003, 2007 California Distinguished School
API ranking 955 out of 1000
Top Comprehensive Public High School in California for the past three years
CA Business for Education Excellence Honor Roll
US News and World Report Gold Category
Newsweek Top 100 High Schools in the Nation
90% of the students attend post-secondary schools
Bay Area Leader in the number of National Merit and Commended students</p>

<p>GPA:</p>

<p>UW- 3.14
UC GPA- 3.58
W- 3.74</p>

<p>SAT:
2320 (CR-760, M-760, W-800)</p>

<p>PSAT:</p>

<p>213</p>

<p>SAT II:
700-Biology
800-Chemistry
760-Math Lvl 1
740-US History</p>

<p>AP:</p>

<p>Chemistry-5
US History-5
Psychology-5
US Govt (self study)-4
Comp Govt (self study)-4
Euro (self study)-3</p>

<p>Honors:</p>

<p>Exploravision
AP Scholar w/Distinction
National Merit Scholar Commended
Communicable Diseases Campaign Team Leader in Pakistan</p>

<p>Activities:</p>

<p>-Volunteered at Red Crescent Hospital in Pakistan for 480 hours (20 hours a week for 8 weeks for 3 consecutive summers)
-Columnist in local community newspaper throughout high school
-Odyssey of The Mind (grades 11 (4th in regional competition) and 12)
-Volunteered 60 hours at the county library teaching and assisting library patrons with -computer use
-Interned at a startup that designs software for physicians for two years
-Served as a translator for communicable diseases literature in Pakistan (grades 9 and 10 summers)
-Vaccination drive assistant in Pakistan (grade 10)
-Medcorps Member for three years (volunteered at Hepatitis B screenings and all)
-Joined speech club at the onset of senior year</p>

<p>Work Experience:</p>

<p>-Worked as a busboy (10 hours a week for 44 weeks a year for grades 11 and 12) </p>

<p>Essays:</p>

<p>Above average to excellent!</p>

2

<p>I think you are 95% in… the only issue may be your GPA but obviously that is only because your school is so crazy hard…
Good Luck! you will know tomorrow</p>

3

<p>I hope you’re right. Davis is one of the schools I really like, and it’s like my parent’s runaway first choice too.</p>

<p>That said, I heard UC’s are 60% GPA or something like that, so I’m still terrified as hell lol</p>

4

<p>How is it possible that your GPA is so low when you have efficient standardized test scores? In spite of your adequate test performance, your GPA will SIGNIFICANTLY hurt you. </p>

<p>Possibly Davis will accept you, but I’m going to be frank with you, prepare yourself for when UCSD, UCLA, UCB comes out.</p>

<p>Chances do not look in your favor. I’m just trying to give you an honest, and realistic answer.</p>

5

<p>“How is it possible that your GPA is so low when you have efficient standardized test scores?” </p>

<p>I will answer that question as honestly as I can. It was not until my senior year when I started doing my college applications that I realized how important my GPA is. I was immature and didn’t put in the required effort to beat the curve. I did take as many honors and AP’s as possible though, so hopefully that’ll help.</p>

<p>"In spite of your adequate test performance, your GPA will SIGNIFICANTLY hurt you. </p>

<p>Possibly Davis will accept you, but I’m going to be frank with you, prepare yourself for when UCSD, UCLA, UCB comes out.</p>

<p>Chances do not look in your favor. I’m just trying to give you an honest, and realistic answer."</p>

<p>This is what I figured. As for being prepared, I will say this. I applied to 7 UC campuses: Berkeley, LA, SD, Davis, SB, Irvine, and SC. Of the 7, the only acceptance I’m expecting is Santa Cruz. I think I’m hit or miss for Davis, SB, and Irvine, and I expect a rejection from Cal, LA, and SD.</p>

<p>I see that you do not think that chances are in my favor. This is as I expected. Simply put, I would be happy as can be if I got into one of Davis or Irvine. Of the two, I prefer Irvine slightly, my parents Davis. Hopefully I’ll be in the position where I can pick among them as well as other schools. If not, then I know why. </p>

<p>I’m undecided as to what I want to do after undergrad: B-school or med school I’m not sure between them, law is an outside shot too. I’ve started planning for all three just in case though, so I know the stakes when I arrive in college. I don’t want to be caught flat footed again. Whatever happens for undergrad, I want to be able to attend an east coast Ivy for grad school, regardless of the field. With that goal in mind, I’ll be doing my utmost to prevent the GPA pitfall from tanking me again.</p>

6

<p>^ Given your future aspirations, you definitely need to buckle up and make sure no mishaps occur. Especially if you desire to attend medical school…</p>

<p>I wish you the best of luck.</p>

7

<p>Thanks for the luck.</p>

<p>I got into UC Santa Cruz for what it’s worth.</p>

8

<p>Congratulations! </p>

<p>You’ll have no problem with the UC system until you reach UCSD (my take). Granted, if your essays are able to draw in the adcoms, you might get in to all your schools. Admissions is such a crap-shoot.</p>

9

<p>I hadn’t set my sights that high to start with, so if you’re right, then I should be fine. That said, I’m not entirely convinced I’ll be okay for Davis or Irvine or Santa Barbara either.</p>

10

<p>Rejected from davis :(</p>

11

<p>what the… i feel like UC Davis is giving way too much concern over GPA, rather than the test scores and EC’s… i am really shocked right now, since i am a junior, and i have a really average GPA (4.0 UC GPA), yet have an ok ACT score (33)… i just hope i can get in! and i am applying for engineering, fyi any biological science major at Davis is pretty hard to get in!!</p>