I’m a senior, and I’m pretty stressed out about college apps. Here are my stats:
3.5 UW
3.83 W
3.58 UC GPA (I know…it’s really low)
2130 SAT (retaking it in October…hopefully this will improve)
Class ranking - no idea because school doesn’t rank
If it matters, my school’s API is 10.
ECs
-Summer internship at an oncology facility last summer
-Secretary, literary magazine editor, and VP (of the writing club at my school)
-Won 1st place state in my event in a DECA competition (business club); went to internationals, but I didn’t place
-Fundraising chair position in Team HBV (club that aims to spread awareness about hepatitis B)
-100-150 hours volunteer work (large majority of hours spend teaching science at elementary schools; should I volunteer more before apps are due to raise this number?)
I had perfect grades in freshman year and then tanked in 10th grade. I did only slightly better junior year. I took a total of 6 APs over sophomore and junior year, and I’m taking 4 more this year. My cumulative GPA will probably improve because I’m taking easier APs this year. What are my chances of being accepted by any of the UCs? I’m really hoping to get into UC Davis, UC Santa Barbara, or UC San Diego.
Is there anything I can still do in order to improve my chances? Thank you!
@arestelle What major are you planning to apply to?
@harshil1499 To be honest, I haven’t done much research on majors yet, but I do want to go into the medical field in the future.
Your GPA will hurt your chances. I would say UCD, UCSB and UCSD would be Reach schools even with your competitive SAT. UCSC/UCR and possibly UCI would be target schools. Your essays could have a positive impact on your chances, so make them amazing and EC’s look good. I would add a couple Cal States like CSULB, CSUF or SDSU as safeties.
Good Luck.
@Gumbymom Would improving my SAT score by 100 points or more have a significant impact on my admission chances?
i really want to go to csulb D;
GPA is king with the UC’s. Average for UCD is 4.07, UCSB is 4.05 and UCSD is 4.13. It is really hard to determine if raising your SAT score 100 points will make a significant difference. GPA is a better reflection of your academic history since it covers several years vs a test which is several hours. There is always a chance at these schools through your essays and EC’s. I think you still should apply, but be realistic in your chances and have some good backup schools on your list. I would love to be proven wrong. There are no guarantees when it comes the UC admissions especially. I am not an admission officer, so you can take my advice as such.
Good Luck to you.
If you get your SAT to a 2200+, you will have a chance at UCSB. UCSB seems to be really lenient with applicants who have high test scores.
Your GPA will probably keep you out of all the UCs except UCR and UCM - though UCSC could go either way. You should give them a good look.
SDSU, CSULB, Fullerton and CalPoly Pomona are also good schools and all would be happy to have you.
Thank you for all of your replies! It was a bit disheartening, but I’ll try my best to increase my chances by writing a good essay and increasing my SAT score. I’ll also take a look at more safety schools.
How many APs/Honors did you take?
@LomoKuan I took 6 APs so far, and taking 4 more this year for a total of 10. I also took 4 honors classes (which don’t give a grade boost). What really hurt my GPA was trying to do Algebra 2 (don’t know what I was thinking) over the summer between freshman and sophomore year, leading to poor grades in 10th and 11th grade.
@arestelle So your Unweighted is 3.5 but your UC GPA is 3.58? You took 4 honors and 6 APs so far. I don’t understand how your UC GPA is so low. Shouldn’t it be higher? Around the 3.7-3.8 range? How did you calculate it
@Gumbymom @LomoKuan If I’m understanding this correctly, UC GPA only considers 10th and 11th grade grades and only 8 semesters worth of AP is counted. I received 10 A’s, 10 B’s, and 4 C’s. I took 6 AP courses (so 12 semesters) in 10th and 11th grade but only 8 semesters worth are counted for a grade boost. Am I calculating this correctly?
Yes, you are calculating right and I get 3.58 as your UC GPA, so my comments stand. UC’s are very GPA focused, but your EC’s and essays could give you a boost. I would apply to the schools on your list, but include some solid match and safety schools you are willing to attend just in case. Good luck.
@Gumbymom Alright, thank you SO much for your help! I really appreciate everyone taking the time to help me out. 