<p>I live in CA so I'm definitely applying to these schools next year. My academics are probably better than enough for UCs, but I don't have much ECs. :( Do they put a lot of weight on extracurriculars?</p>
<p>UCLA and Cal put a lot of emphasis on ECs (not as much as HYPS, but still quite a bit). UCSD, not so much; it's much more numbers-oriented. What are your ECs?</p>
<p>Ehh like</p>
<p>Korean Club - VP/Co-founder
Math Club - President
Asian club - VP/Co-founder
Probably going to make a history club soon.</p>
<p>Peer Tutoring (tutoring students for community service hours)
Volunteering at a hospital (2 hrs every week)
Volunteering at a local elementary school. Tutoring "special" kids
Working part time at my dad's computer shop.
Hiphop/popping team (Not in school. Does this even count though? Me an my friends just made it b/c we like dancing lol.)
Playing piano and tennis (not in school and haven't received any notable awards)</p>
<p>Yeah that's it. :( My numbers are pretty decent though.</p>
<p>What's "pretty decent?"</p>
<p>UC GPA = probably gonna be around 4.2</p>
<p>Rank: Def. within top 10%. Have no idea where I stand within that range though. </p>
<p>SATs = I'm scoring 2250-2350 on practice tests in SAT prep classes and SAT prep books. Figure I'll be getting near 2300 if I take it right now. </p>
<p>SAT IIs so far</p>
<p>Math IIc = 800
World = 760
Taking Korean on November, expecting an 800 (800 is like 75% for korean lol)
Will take Bio and US in May/June</p>
<p>APs: Currently taking 5 (Calc, US, Eng, Bio, Enviro), planning to take 5 or 6 in senior year.</p>
<p>UCLA/Cal = Safe match</p>
<p>safe match even with those weak ECs? that's good to hear. :D</p>
<p>Your ECs aren't that terribly weak. They're better than mine were, those many years ago.</p>
<p>Really? Browsing through "Chance me" forum and looking at many peoples' amazing ECs made me think my ECs were like super weak. </p>
<p>Anyways, thanks. :D</p>
<p>Your ECs are rather average. Remember, only about 5 of your ECs can be put on the application, so all the different volunteering won't be counted. Your leadership positions seem to stem from clubs that you founded (which isn't a bad thing) and that focus on ethnicity. Your other club is math. That alone shows that your ECs aren't quite focused, or even distinguish you much. Your UC GPA is strong, as are your SAT scores. I'd say:</p>
<p>Berkeley: high match - match
UCLA: match</p>
<p>UCSD is a safe match, for sure. </p>
<p>Consider also applying to a few private universities if you can afford it, as you'd probably have a good shot at some of them.</p>
<p>i definitely need financial aid though. do privates give a lot of aid? (ex. USC?)</p>
<p>Yeah I know my ECs are not focused. :( Will that hurt me a lot?</p>
<p>Do UCs look more for GPA or class rigor?
Like if person A has 4.33 UC gpa, but only took 4 AP courses and person B has 4.1 UC gpa, but has 8 AP courses, would they choose person A or B? (considering that they have same ECs, SATs, background, etc.)</p>
<p>And do I have ANY chance at Stanford/Cal tech?</p>
<p>
[quote]
do privates give a lot of aid? (ex. USC?)
[/quote]
</p>
<p>Depends on the private. The top ones do, the others tend not to. USC should give you adequate aid.</p>
<p>The average indebtedness at graduation is only a bit higher than UCLA's and Berkeley's.</p>
<p>
[quote]
Do UCs look more for GPA or class rigor?
[/quote]
</p>
<p>They go hand-in-hand.</p>
<p>
[quote]
Like if person A has 4.33 UC gpa, but only took 4 AP courses and person B has 4.1 UC gpa, but has 8 AP courses, would they choose person A or B?
[/quote]
</p>
<p>Whoever took the most rigorous course load possible and was most successful.</p>
<p>
[quote]
And do I have ANY chance at Stanford/Cal tech?
[/quote]
</p>
<p>Yes, but it's very small, I'd say.</p>
<p>Thanks kylesdavid</p>
<p>But is my chance very small at stanford/cal tech because I lack awards/ECs?</p>