Hi,
I just started my Sophomore year in Northern CA, and I really want to make it to UCLA. I am taking one AP-History, since this is the only AP offered to me in school. Am in all hons classes and did well in 9th grade(GPA 4.0)
I did an Internship at Johns Hopkins for a couple weeks and I know that Science/Biology is the field that I want to be in. I am Asian.
I plan to take 4 AP’s in my Junior year and aim for perfect scores on my ACT, that I plan to take before end of Sophomore year. I want some honest feedback on what I should do going ahead. many many thanks!
UC’s will look at all your grades from 9-11th to make sure you meet the a-g course requirements, but the UC’s only use 10-11th grades for their GPA calculation. They give extra honors points for UC approved Honors, AP/IB and DE courses taken during Sophomore to Junior year.
Here is the calculator: https://rogerhub.com/gpa-calculator-uc/
UCLA will consider your UW UC GPA, Capped weighted UC GPA and Fully Weighted UC GPA.
Here is the UC approved a-g course list and you can look up your HS courses: https://hs-articulation.ucop.edu/agcourselist#/list/search/institution
Here is the current 2017 Freshman profile so you can use these as a guideline for required stats and acceptance rate:
Admit rate — Overall: 16.1%
Admits: 16,494
Applicants:102,232
California Residents (% of admits):56.3%
GPA and test scores of middle 25%-75% students
High School GPA UC capped weighted:4.13 - 4.31
ACT Composite Score:30 - 34
ACT English Language Arts :28 - 32
SAT Evidence Based Reading & Writing:640 - 730
SAT Mathematics:640 - 770
SAT Essay:16 - 20
Any school below a 20% acceptance rate should be considered a Reach school even with outstanding stats.
Below is what UCLA will consider when reviewing applications:
- Los Angeles
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Very important: Academic GPA, Application essay, Rigor of secondary school record, Standardized test scores -
Important: Character/personal qualities, Extracurricular activities, Talent/ability, Volunteer work, Work experience -
Considered: First generation college student, Geographical residence -
Note: GPA, test scores, course work, number of and performance in honors and AP courses most important. Essay considered. Strong senior program important. Extracurricular activities, honors and awards also reviewed.
For EC’s, do what you love and your passion should show through in your personal insight essays. Above all do not get fixated on one school since there are so many great universities to consider.
You said history was the only AP offered at your school, yet you’re taking 4 more? Can you explain your logic?
Anyways it’s easy, just don’t screw up. Get 4.2+ weighted UC GPA, all A’s in your important classes, all 5’s on AP, high SAT scores, near 800 or 800 on SAT2’s, and the generic extracurriculars (unless you have a really good one like academic decathlon, and winning at it). Just don’t screw up, and show incompetence. I know that sounds hard but it’s easy if you are truly somewhat intelligent and motivated. It seems like you want to get in so just get good grades and good test scores. Make sure you take both bio and chem ap, and get 5’s.
I think you should focus less on the ACT’s, and a better GPA, like getting all A’s, taking the relevant ap classes (bio, chem), and getting 5’s on them, and doing well on the SAT2 and SAT1.
@mlsdream89 AP exam scores are not factored into admission decisions. They are used solely for credit in applicable situations.
I did not realize that, maybe things have changed. That is sad to hear. People can just cruise by getting 3’s now and not try.