Super Average Applicant... Chance me?

Chance Me / Match Me!
1

<p>I would love it if you guys could help me out with chances for
UC Santa Barbara
UC Davis
UC San Diego
UC Santa Cruz
UC Irvine
University of Washington (had a 3.91 freshman year, which they do count)</p>

<p>I don't really care about UCI or UCSD - San Diego looks like a reach, and I’m not too interested in going to Irvine.</p>

<p>I’m applying for engineering, so that probably factors heavily, especially for a more underwhelming candidate :( I’m a first generation Chinese American male, and I’m basically the blacksheep of the family; both my parents have graduate degrees in science from a prestigious school, and my brother has a degree in engineering from a top three engineering institution. I don’t know how much that factors into my application, but it could have some sort of effect… Thoughts?</p>

<p>UC GPA
10 A/4 B/8 C
without honors: 3.09 with honors: 3.45</p>

<p>Sophomore year
History C B
English C B
Philosophy B A
Honors Math Analysis C C
AP Chemistry C C
Latin III/IV B B</p>

<p>Junior year
IB History/Philosophy A A
IB English A A
IB Economics A A
IB Math SL2 (AP Calculus AB) A A
IB Biology SL B B
Latin V/VI B A</p>

<p>Senior year
IB Physics HL
AP Calculus BC
IB History
Philosophy
IB English</p>

<p>Test Scores</p>

<p>SATs
Oct 2012: 660/740/720 CR/M/W 2120
PSAT Jun 2013 (I guess this doesn’t count) 78/76/68 222
Oct 2013: 600/750/800 CR/M/W 2150</p>

<p>SAT II
Latin: 720
Biology-M: 760
Mathematics II: 800</p>

<p>APs
Chemistry: 5
Biology: 4
Macroeconomics: 4
Physics
Calculus BC</p>

<p>IBs
Economics SL: 5
Mathematics SL: 7</p>

<p>Tennis 9/10/11/12
Newspaper Copy Editor 11/12
Lab Assistant 11
Debate Club 11/12
Math Tutor 9/10/11/12
First Violinist 9
IB Leadership Treasurer 9
Youth and Government 10</p>

2

<p>Dont know too much about UW but I think you have a pretty good shot. Good luck! Please get me back.</p>

<p><a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/what-my-chances/1574931-chance-me-osu-please-will-chance-back.html[/url]”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/what-my-chances/1574931-chance-me-osu-please-will-chance-back.html&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

3

<p>Hmmm… Alright, thanks for the reply.</p>

<p>Why might you think so? I’m curious about what I should worry about that anchors me down the most (since most aspects of my application do weigh down on me)… Also, what might you think my chances are for each?</p>

4

<p>Being from Florida I’m not sure if I’m the most qualified for this, however I’ll give it a go considering some UC’s are on my shortlist as well. I think UCI and UCSD might be a little bit of a reach for you based on your GPA, but I think your academic rigor/ upward grade trends counteract this to a degree. UCSC I think shouldn’t be an issue for you considering your academic rigor. UCSB also might be a high match/ low reach too. All this being said, I’m a believer that fantastic essays can really boost chances a person’s chances of admission, so be sure to really put some effort into those because it’s an opportunity to make up for your lower GPA (along with solid recommendations) and I think any of these colleges could be a possibility if great care is put into the rest of your application. Hope you get into your list!/ Chance me if you’d like!</p>

5

<p>Thanks for your detailed response! Yeah, I basically feel the same about UCSD and UCI, but that’s ok. I wish to think that UCSB isn’t exactly a reach, but you’re probably right.</p>

<p>I guess for the UCs essays don’t factor as heavily, and recommendations not at all :stuck_out_tongue: But yeah. My essay is my only chance of explaining the weaknesses in my application.</p>