I am an OOS student applying for next fall. These schools are my top choices (with Tufts and UPenn). I wanted to know what ACT and SAT score would make me competitive? What is good enough to get me competitive? I currently have a 31 on ACT.
The OOS trait could potentially benefit you as you apply to the UCs. I do think, however, that you should try to raise your ACT score by a couple of points, as it would certainly make you more competitive; as for the SAT, I wouldn’t worry about preparing for it now, because you’re probably pretty well-prepared for the ACT anyway, and I’m assuming you understand its question types. A pretty decent chunk of qualified students applying to your top choices have ACT scores above 31, so if you think you have both the time and the ability to raise your score slightly, then go for it. If you really think it’d be distracting and possibly detrimental to your first-semester performance and your application, then don’t worry about it—instead, focus directly on your essays, recommendations, and winnowing out the most significant aspects of your extracurricular involvement over the past few years. There’s not much to start/become involved in at this stage; the most you can do is decide what to include and what to omit to prevent a blurry picture for adcoms. Good luck!
I think 32/33+ for ACT will make you competitive for any UC. 2150+ will make you moderately competitive as well.
Scores can only help you so much, especially if you’re an engineering/CS major. With scores in the 30’s and high GPA, you’ll get into the College of Letters & Science at these schools, but for engineering/CS, you’ll need high stats as well as amazing EC’s as well as some that demonstrate experience/skill in your major
@WisdomVein “The OOS trait could potentially benefit you as you apply to the UCs.”
No…
@1golfer1 Oh. I’ve heard so. Perhaps they’ve just been accepting more OOS students than usual?
@WisdomVein I think they’re implementing a cap on the number of OOS students accepted next year
I still think OOS is at least a little bit of an advantage though, bc the UCs are low on money and need that OOS tuition. That’s what I’ve heard, at least. I go to school on the East Coast and 5 people are going to UCLA and 2 to Berkeley, those are pretty high numbers imo
I dont think being out of state puts you at an advantage. In fact, I think it puts you at a disadvantage. I am a california resident and my school sent a lot of people to the top UC’s
Berkeley- 44
UCLA- 19
UCSD-20
Around 530 seniors in my high school.
I got in to Berkeley OOS with a 30 ACT. But 32+ is competitive. I’m just saying it’s totally possible to get in with your score.
Thanks! I am hoping that I get a 33 atleast on the next ACT!!