So before this past spring semester I was at 3.48 I took 16 units and got 2 A’s, 1 B and 1 C (General Chemistry course). And now my gpa has dropped to a 3.34. I felt good about my chem class till I blanked out on the final lowering my grade alot. My planned coursework for summer, fall, and spring are as followed…
Summer: Computer Science and Statistics.
Fall: Organic Chemistry, Calc 3, Bio (Molecular)
Spring: Organic Chem 2, Bio (diversity of organisms), Psych experimental methods.
If I continue with the courses that are scheduled for me then I will have completed all my prereqs for most the schools I plan on applying to. I was planning on applying at the end of this year as a psych major (bs) , so I need to complete all my science courses. But now I am not sure if I will continue to do well in the courses that are planned. My top school is UCSD and I know I need to get above a 3.5 to be considered competitive. Im also thinking about UCD(my TAG school), UCI, UCSB and maybe UCLA. I was thinking about slowing down my coursework, but I’m not sure if I should stay on my path already and try to apply this year. I will talk to my counselor, but I’d also like to get more feedback… thanks!
You are making great progress and a couple As in your summer classes will bring your GPA above the 3.4 UCD TAG threshold. Even if it doesn’t apply to your listed schools, maybe add UCR and perhaps a CSU or 2 to round things out. See where that puts you next March.
Hmmm, @ncalrent is correct about summer. However, the issue I see is all you seem to have left are hard classes. Even at a split of As and Bs you’ll still probably be slightly under 3.4. It might not be a bad idea to stay an extra year and pad with some easy humanities.
If needed, you could do both. Apply this year and see what happens, and if you don’t like the results apply again next year with a GPA boost from fluff classes.
UCs allow you to reapply multiple times, so long as you pay the application fee.
The problem with that is that @coldplaylower would have to take the same courses they mentioned this year, which all seem to be difficult (Calc 3 and OChem, sheesh). If you can’t handle the courses you have planned (and I don’t blame you, it seems really strenuous) you may want to take another year and spread the harder classes out more. You’re a psych major, so maybe it would be good to take more psych classes, get a major-related internship, etc. to boost your application and GPA.
Good point @goldencub. Like cub said, the only issue I see with applying this year is packing all those courses together will probably impact their grades. If you spread out, you could do 1-2 a term. You’d probably get better grades.
And then, not sure if this would matter, but they will look at your previous application. If you were denied and then reapply with only non-essential courses the last year, they will see that as a clear ploy to improve GPA, which they might not care about. (If you do psych courses that will offset that a bit.) But all in all, if you are set on one of those UCs, I would space it out over two years for the best possible outcome.
And totally agree about internships or volunteering. Go volunteer at a shelter or a place that is helping people get back on their feet, etc. it’s a good fit with psych.
Yes @NCalRent I was thinking about out of state schools, CSU and Riverside in mind. I will be applying anywhere I can.
And @lindyk8 thanks for all your input. I was thinking about taking organic chem and Bio during the fall and wait on my calc 3 class since UCSD and UCLA want it done, but isnt requied for UCD or any of the other UC’s I plan to apply to. Which would lead to 9 units during the fall semester. Is that enough? Or should I include an Anthropology class to increase my units and finish up my IGETC coursework or psych course?
Thanks @luckie1367 I will apply this year and see where that leads me. Hopefully if I ease my classes during the fall I’ll be able to boost the gpa up.
@goldencub Thanks for the tips for volunteering! Will keep that in mind. 
I think my plan that I’d like to go with will be easing my classes in the fall, but apply even if Im missing one prereq class for SD or LA (with calc 3) and if I find where I want to go by Spring Ill transfer or if not stay another year.
Thank you all for your kind words & wisdom. You guys rock!
I think adding an anthro class in fall would be a good idea.