Questions regarding upcoming college app's

Applying to College
1

I have a few random questions regarding upcoming applications.

  1. What does the UC/CSU system use for applications? Common App doesn't have them, so do I go through each website and apply there?
  2. Can going through bullying because I am biracial and I (used to ( I moved) went to an all white school (in a small town) be a compelling essay? I'd like to showcase that I was down on the ground, but picked myself up at the end of sophomore year and got amazing grades junior year (and plan to senior year!)
  3. I did some EC's through my online school, but that was in a completely different state. Do college admissions have to verify all of my EC's? If so, how do I try and "prove" to them that I was in those EC's all though I am not in that online school anymore? (I do have drafts from when I was a journalist in my newspaper club, book rec's from when I was in the book club etc, but that would be really tedious to write out and explain)
  4. This is kind of a random one, but I have a list of about 8 schools that I'd like to apply to/ continue to look into. Off the top of your head what would be some good safety schools for me? I have a 3.29 gpa (they haven't calculated my summer classes, but it should round out to 3.3) (regular classes, I will be taking AP, and college classes this and next semester if it means anything.) and a 24/25 ACT? (I would be the first-generation university student. (my parents both took classes at community college but don't have degrees) (and my parent's wouldn't be able to afford anything.) I would just like to know off the top of your head what might be some schools I can look into?

Thank you for reading!

2
  1. Yes they have their own applications. You need to visit their websites.
  2. -
  3. EC's do not have to be verified. As long as you don't make outrageous claims they will take you at your word.
  4. You should include any other preferences such as location, rural versus city, school size, major, weather , and major. This will help others make suggestions.
3
  1. The UCs have their own application website that you must use. https://admissions.universityofcalifornia.edu/applicant/login.htm
  2. It's a very common essay, the "I was bullied and overcame it" story. If you use it, I encourage you to find a way to write about it that is unique, and also talks more about you as a person and what you do NOW rather than bad history.
  3. EC's don't have to be verified. Usually an admissions officer would only look into an EC if you claimed to have done something like found a multi-million dollar company or run a very successful nonprofit.
  4. Without things like location, school size, major, etc. it's hard to say which schools you might like, but given your stats and your parent's inability to pay, you should be looking at schools that have higher acceptance rates and lower stats for accepted students (you can check this in the Common Data Set of each school). You also want to calculate your EFC and see what type of need-based aid colleges will give you.
4

Thank you all for your replies! It’s helped a lot! My angle with the essay would lean more towards perseverance and how being biracial is something that I’ve had to learn to love, even when no one around me (at that time) could love or appreciate (or respect!) it.

College search wise, I honestly do not have anything specific in mind. I’d like to stay in state (California. I’d be willing to look at schools in Minnesota and Washington state.), my major right now (I change it pretty frequently) is political science major with a minor in AA studies. (It could definitely change, but that’s been the solid one.) I can thrive in both small schools and large schools. That being said I definitely want diversity. I’d like to live on campus.

5

@uclabruins19 I definitely have a GPA upward trend. I went from an average C student to A some B’s. Do you think that’s possible in the amount of time I have left? I’m definitely going to be applying ED should I take Oct and Dec? I definitely am going to do Oct. Do you have an idea on how to make it a compelling essay? Being biracial is something that I’ve kind of taken in and learned and accepted over my high school years, and was probably my biggest internal struggle and external struggle (as shown on my gpa(:slight_smile: I could pick something else, but I was wondering if somehow making an essay on being biracial (in some way.) was cliché or overused. Thank you so much for your help!

(If I raised my ACT up to a 27-29 (or even 30) what colleges would be available to me? I’m struggling with matches and safeties, for my current scores.)

6

Up to very recently UC was checking activities at random. Is anyone certain they stopped?

The were checking about 10 percent of UC applications, at random. Usually just one activity.

7

That’s interesting. I don’t plan on applying to any UC’s but that’s interesting to know.

8

Also, if your GPA’s upward trend starts with a worst freshman year grade report, which it sounds like, the great news for you is that the UC system doesn’t look at freshman year grades at all. So your UC GPA will be higher than you think!

9

Friend in admissions at a big UC, says no way they check activities, because of obvious sheer quantity and partially because it is easy to eyeball when applicants fudge it. Amazing how many kids go to school, make great grades, yet volunteer 60 hours per week. :wink:

10

Recommendations for colleges (Safeties/Matches):

  1. What can you and your parents afford each year? What is your EFC? Is it $0? Or parents won’t pay?? Run the Net price calculators on all schools of interest before applying.

  2. What is your UC/CSU GPA at end of Junior year: https://rogerhub.com/gpa-calculator-uc/

  3. Look to your local CSU for a safety since local in-service area applicants get priority and is within commuting distance.

  4. CSU’s do not consider EC’s but UC’s and private schools will but do not exaggerate or you could be tagged for review.

  5. Depending upon the school’s interpretation, First Generation means parents did not attend any college.
    First generation not considered for CSU’s but is considered for UC’s but not a significant impact.

  6. If you are looking OOS and low income, do not consider state schools since you will receive little FA. Staying in California may be your best option for FA.

  7. You could look at the WUE schools which will give you a discounted tuition as an OOS applicant. Not all schools will offer the discounted rate for all majors.

http://wiche.edu/wue

http://wue.wiche.edu/search_results.jsp?searchType=all

11

I definitely plan to work, and most likely will have to take out loans. My parent’s aren’t able to really pay much. Most likely can cover my books but probably nothing from there. I have three younger sisters, so primary financial focus will be on them.
CSUSB and UCR, are probably my local ones.
I’m not going to exaggerate EC’s I was worried that they wouldn’t be able to verify that I did my debate club, because it was in another state, and it was through an online school.

With WUE is that if I go to CC first and then transfer?

12

WUE has 4 year and 2 year univerisities on the list. Definitely run the Net price calculators on all the schools to get an idea of what kind of FA you would receive and what would be the costs you need to cover.

It would be very hard to work and go to school full-time especially for UCR. CSUSB would be doable with financial aid and your work savings along with commuting. Also consider 2 years at a community college than transfer to a CSU or UC. California CSU’s/UC’s have great transfer agreements with the CCC’s. This will allow to save money for 2 years to put towards a 4 year university.