Match or Reach?

<p>Hey everyone. I'm wondering how much of a reach UCSD is for me. I'm not very familiar with the points system they have, so I have no idea where I'm at on it, etc. I'm instate, and here are my stats:</p>

<p>ACT: 31</p>

<p>AP's: Span- 5 Eng- 4 US History- 3</p>

<p>GPA:3.8 uc</p>

<p>ECs listed on app: football, track, was in 2 clubs, and work, and comm. service</p>

<p>Job/Work Experience: did finances that were really receipts at a family friend's company and also had a job there too</p>

<p>Essays (subject and responses): on two hardships that have come down on me the last 2 years, and my dealing w/ them, how they've made me a more mature person.</p>

<p>Teacher Recs: better than great</p>

<p>Counselor Rec: great</p>

<p>School Type: Private, does not rank</p>

<p>Ethnicity: Hispanic</p>

<p>Gender:M</p>

<p>Also: Took 3 summer courses at a local comm. college</p>

<p>thank you so much</p>

<p>Id say you have a pretty good chance. I have stats almost the same as you, and i got into Cal. though, of course, i chose ucsd! I think you have a good chance at cal and la. be optimistic---it makes everything less stressfull.</p>

<p>I'd say you are accepted.</p>

<p>As always, hope for the best and expect the worst.</p>

<p>btw, that's my UC gpa. that's the one they use i believe.. i hope..</p>

<p>lack of APs (+ honors classes?) might be a problem.</p>

<p>did you have leadership roles or were just "in" the clubs?</p>

<p>you know that UCs don't care about recommendations, right? and i'm pretty convinced they don't look at the essays much, either.</p>

<p>yeah, astrina is right--i dont think they even ask for recommendations. grades are most important, from what I have heard.</p>

<p>oh ok then. feel free to forget about the recs then lol. </p>

<p>and i have a lot of honors, and there aren't really that many ap's students can take up to junior year, and i've only not taken 1 of the available ones. and i was just "in" clubs b/c clubs don't meet really, until now.</p>

<p>can anyone explain the points system at ucsd, and how i can use it to see my shot. (i've heard they use the point system at least) and how much will being hispanic help? on a scale of 1-10</p>

<p>UC's don't use affirmative action and they won't know your race. The only way to use race to your advantage would be in your essays. You would need to describe being the first in your family to go to college or financial and family hardships you have experienced.</p>

<p>point system has been evaluated (and calculated) thoroughly on this forum - start a-searchin' the archives.</p>

<p>I actually do not suggest overemphasizing the race card in your essay, especially if you're Asian. I can't even count how many of my friends wrote their personal statements on growing up in a traditional Chinese household. You want to stand out. However, the personal statement isn't a huge factor in UC admissions anyway. Just don't absolutely suck, and you'll be fine. See you at SD, brother.</p>