I have questions about UC admissions. Please help me!

Applying to College
1

<p>Hi there, I'm applying to colleges this upcoming school year and I plan to apply only to UC's and hope to get into either UC Berkeley or UCLA. </p>

<p>First of all, is it true that only 8 semesters of AP/Honor classes are weighted in the UC System?</p>

<p>I know taking only 2 SAT II tests are required, but do the subjects matter? I'm applying for a Biology major, and I already have taken one SAT II test with a satisfactory score (Math Level 2). Becaues my major is chemistry, will UC's look for an SAT II Biology score? Or does it not matter? If I am more confident that I will score better in SAT II History, should I just take that instead? </p>

<p>I actually already have taken SAT II History once. I received a decent score, but it wasn't that great. If I take it again and receive a higher score, can I just submit that score and my math level 2 score without having UC's see my first score? </p>

<p>I am applying for a Biology major, but I will not have taken AP Biology in my high school career. How will this affect my chances of getting into a college of my choice? I've heard from some people that UC's don't even look at what specific courses you take, that they only look at the overall weighed academic GPA. But I've also heard that they do look at specific courses in determining admission. I have however AP Chemistry, AP Physics B, and will take AP Physics C in my senior year. </p>

<p>Thanks for reading!</p>

2

<p>they will look at the specific courses you take, but having strong AP background in science is perfectly fine w/o AP Bio. yes, it's true about the limit on weighted grades for the gpa.</p>

<p>i think you should take the SAT 2 for history again and get the higher score (colleges will receive the lower one but only count the higher one), but also take the SAT 2 for biology, because they prefer that you take related-to-major tests. many people take them in at least 3 subjects anyway, so they can have their highest two be looked at. taking more doesnt hurt</p>

3

<p>Score Choice for SAT II exams has been gone for some time now. Even so, you have enough solid sciences for now; I guess you can attempt to take a biology course of some type if applicable during senior year if you so desire.</p>

4

<p>
[quote]
First of all, is it true that only 8 semesters of AP/Honor classes are weighted in the UC System?

[/quote]

YES. UC caps at 8 semesters of AP/Honors classes and determine your “UC GPA” by using only grades from your sophomore and junior years.</p>

<p>
[quote]
I know taking only 2 SAT II tests are required, but do the subjects matter? I'm applying for a Biology major, and I already have taken one SAT II test with a satisfactory score (Math Level 2). Becaues my major is chemistry, will UC's look for an SAT II Biology score? Or does it not matter? If I am more confident that I will score better in SAT II History, should I just take that instead?

[/quote]

UC requires 2 SAT II test scores – they will take your best 2 scores, i.e., you can take more than 2 tests, and they will take the best of your scores from different subject tests. Take the SAT Subject Tests that you feel you will do best in; however, if you are declaring a major in physical sciences/math, they will recommend you take Math IIC.</p>

<p>See this UC link: <a href="http://www.universityofcalifornia.edu/educators/counselors/resources/askuc/answers/examrequire.html%5B/url%5D"&gt;http://www.universityofcalifornia.edu/educators/counselors/resources/askuc/answers/examrequire.html&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p>

<p>
[quote]
I actually already have taken SAT II History once. I received a decent score, but it wasn't that great. If I take it again and receive a higher score, can I just submit that score and my math level 2 score without having UC's see my first score?

[/quote]

You can take as many Subject Tests as you want and/or you can re-take same Subject Test to improve your previous score. UC will only consider your top 2 scores.</p>

<p>
[quote]
I am applying for a Biology major, but I will not have taken AP Biology in my high school career. How will this affect my chances of getting into a college of my choice? I've heard from some people that UC's don't even look at what specific courses you take, that they only look at the overall weighed academic GPA. But I've also heard that they do look at specific courses in determining admission. I have however AP Chemistry, AP Physics B, and will take AP Physics C in my senior year.

[/quote]

Don’t be concerned about not having taken AP Biology even if you declare Biology as your major for UCB/UCLA (on the UC online application, you will be asked to declare a major (or undeclared) for EACH campus you are applying to).</p>

<p>The UC’s have a “Comprehensive Review” process for evaluating admissions applications based on the criteria established. For all intents and purposes, the UC’s will place most importance on your UC weighted GPA (from your sophomore/junior years) and your SAT I/II test scores.</p>

<p>(If you peruse my previous posts, you may find some that are applicable to your questions.)</p>