Please help, chances for admission with special circumstances

Colleges and Universities A-Z University of California - Santa Cruz
1

<p>I am a Caucasian female, hoping to get into UCSC.</p>

<p>Stats:</p>

<p>3.4 unweighted gpa
3.8 weighted gpa
1900 total SAT score
Very few ec's
AP's: World history (3), US History (X), Lang & Comp (X)
Honors: English sophomore year, first semester English freshman year</p>

<p>Senior Year Schedule:
AP Gov/Econ
AP Psych (intended major)
AP Stats
AP Lit
Honors Human Anatomy</p>

<p>.....</p>

<p>Okay, so I know that my gpa is low and that my lack of ec's is bad.</p>

<p>Here is the reason: </p>

<p>My mom died when I was eight. I discovered my dad was using drugs when I was
13, shortly before entering highschool. (Cocaine mostly)
I had very little parental guidance (close to none), which is why my
gpa is low (freshman year was around 2.8 both semesters)
Sophomore year was (4.1 1st semester/3.8 2nd)
Junior year was (3.6 first semester, estimated 4.5 2nd)</p>

<p>To explain my trend in grades:</p>

<p>Freshman year was bad because I had no guidance, i wasnt
mature enough to understand how important school was</p>

<p>Sophomore year 1st semester: I had realized how important
school was, and how much i needed to get out of my dysfunctional house. My dads
drug use worsened, i missed lots of school because of it.</p>

<p>Sophomore year 2nd semester: I had a mental breakdown and severe depression.
My dad was a walking corpse (He started using heroin) there was no food in the house, and he no longer had a couple dollars to give me for food at school (he spent 150 a day on heroin) I couldnt focus in school. I moved into my best friends house, and then back out.
It was really bad. I also missed a lot of school this semester.</p>

<p>Junior year 1st semester: I went to live in a different city with family. New school was bad,
I did not make friends. My family was not so normal, so my focus on school was not terrific.</p>

<p>Junior year 2nd semester: Im back home, my dad is much better, but he uses crack. I grocery shop for myself, and take care of myself. Im focused on school. Current 4.5. Just sad that my admissions chances are kind of shot. However, Ive learned a lot, am stable, determined, focused, and prepared for college.</p>

<p>P.S. Im sorry this is so long! I just wanted you to get the full story...
thanks in advance, too! :)</p>

2

<p>How will you pay for college?</p>

3

<p>Your admissions chances are NOT shot! your GPA is a little bit low but still in the acceptable range. SATs are excellent. ECs, well…I think I only had 3 of them, myself, and I still got in.</p>

<p>You’ve made it through a terrible situation and are now proving that you’re responsible and self-motivated. Sometimes bad things bring out the worst in people, and I think it’s quite likely they’ll take your story into account in a positive light. You’re not making excuses, you’re explaining the facts and struggles you faced.</p>

4

<p>Batllo- my mom put money away for me for college before she died.</p>

<p>Liesel- Thank you so much for replying! Im hoping that my gpa will be a little higher
by the time that I apply, and im going to try to get some volunteering in over the summer too. Im definitely to emphasize in my personal statement how ive grown as a person, and hopefully that will help me get in!</p>

5

<p>even if you told me about your stats w/o saying your mom had died (terribly sorry btw), i would think you would be accpeted to UCSC.
3.4 is not terrible.
and 1900 is better than i got on the SAT and i go in.
And im sure youd right a great personal statement, so i think youll be able to get in with out much sweat.
goodluck!</p>

6

<p>You guys do know her 3.4 is Unweighted GPA right…XD</p>

<p>Anyways I got in with a 3.52 UC GPA and a 2120 SAT I :), so I’m assuming ur GPA is gonna be higher than mine. Just bump ur SAT I to 2000+ and you should be fine :D</p>

7

<p>I think you’ll be fine. I know UCSC has been getting more competitive over the years, but your stats are still good enough to get admission.</p>

8

<p>I got in with a 3.2 and a 1560. You’ll be fine.</p>

9

<p>Thanks for the responses. I am definitely working on bumping my SAT up!</p>

10

<p>:). Good Luck :slight_smile: You’re not that far from 2000 so it’s very reachable :).</p>

11

<p>I don’t think 9th grade counts on your GPA. If you took the same credits all 10th and 11th grades, and you are including 8 or less honors/ap grades in your weighted gpa, that puts you about 4.0 - if your second semester 11th gpa comes out as projected.</p>

<p>Apply to more than one UC. You never know what’s going to happen. CSU’s too.</p>

12

<p>Your stats are not bad at all especially SAT. I"ll say you’ll get in for sure if you’re from
SoCal. My son got in with similar stats. Good Luck !</p>

13

<p>9th grade is not counted in UC GPA. A lot of classes aren’t. Have you calculated your UC GPA?</p>

14

<p>Thanks guys-</p>

<p>and no, Shrinkrap, I haven’t! I will look into that.</p>

15

<p>Don’t stress too much :). Raise your SAT I :), take ur SAT II if you havent :slight_smile: (Recommends Math 2 :D) and you should be in :). If not appeal >.< and you should be fine since UCSC accepted quite some appealers this year :)</p>

16

<p>Sweet! Thanks Shibykin :)!!</p>

17

<p>I’m pretty sure you got in. My friend got in w/ sat of 1340 and a lower gpa.</p>