Hello. I’m currently a sophomore attending a pretty rigorous magnet school known for its fast paced classes. Freshman year was alright. I finished with what I believe to be a 3.8 GPA (5 A’s, 1 B) However, now it is almost the end of sophomore year and I have been struggling with my GPA nearly the entire year. Currently I have 3 C’s and 3 A’s which totals to about a 3.0 GPA. However, I am positive that I can raise 2 of those C’s to B’s and maybe even the third one by the end of the year. This year was the first year we were allowed to take AP classes. I took one and am taking 3 next year.
I took the SAT for the first time and got a 2050 though I plan to take it again.
My extra curricular activities include shadowing and interning with veterinarians, volunteering at no kill animal shelters, publishing a book about the importance of good nutrition for a dog (including my own recipes of some dishes), 3+ years of kendo (though I doubt this even matters), and I am currently working on a portfolio of 12 art pieces that tell the story of my dog. The portfolio will be finished by mid to late 2016.
However, I also have two referrals that I believe will stay on my disciplinary record. One was for dishonesty to a teacher and the other was for throwing a kid’s glasses on the floor in retaliation to what he was saying to me and my friends.
I would like to go to UC Davis, Oregon State University, Colorado State University, Texas A&M, or Penn State University to study either biology or toxicology. I would like to be a veterinarian or an environmental toxicologist.
I plan to lessen the rigor of my schedule in junior year to be able to maintain my GPA better. I’ve learned from this year’s schedule.
My parents are pretty much hopeless about me getting into any college other than a community college, and I’m starting to think the same.
So I would like to know how my prospects are?
FWIW, my son ASPIRED to a 3.0 as a sophomore, but made a big turnaround the second semester and in junior year. He graduated with something like a 3.01 UC GPA, graduated from a four year universisty, but not from a UC. I think you’ll be fine.
I’m sure you know freshman grades don’t count toward your UC GPA. I will post a link to details about last years UCD freshman admission profiles and their admission selection process.
http://admission.universityofcalifornia.edu/campuses/files/freshman-profiles/freshman_profile_davis.pdf
http://admissions.ucdavis.edu/admission/freshmen/fr_selection_process.cfm
At the end of your Junior year, calculate your UC GPA: http://rogerhub.com/gpa-calculator-uc/
Your 10-11th grades are only used for the UC GPA, so Sophomore year will hurt your GPA. The links posted by @Shrinkrap, will help you gauge your Stats against the admitted applicants. The average UC GPA for last year at UCD was a 4.07 and Average SAT score of 1925/ ACT score of 28. For the best chance of an acceptance, you want to be at or above the average, but essays and EC’s will also contribute to your admission chances. Just work hard to do your best, apply and hopefully you will get in. Good Luck.