So, I am currently a High School Senior and in my earlier years, I have not taken any AP classes, but I have maintained a 3.69 GPA with no C’s or lower. However, right now, I am taking AP Government, AP Economics, and AP Calculus AB. I got a 1170 on the SAT. I have a decent amount of extracurricular (Online-Clan Leader, Online Job, Some Volunteering, Tutoring, and Clubs). In terms of GPA (9th-11th), I rank at 152 out of the 697 Seniors in my High School.
How would my admission chances be for Cal Poly SLO and the High/Mid-Tier UC’s? Would the AP classes I am taking as a Senior increase admission chances? If I send in a good personal statement(insights) for UC’s, would that boost my chances drastically? Thanks!
Absolutely zero chance at high-end UCs if your school offered challenging courses and you didn’t take them. Course rigor and challenging yourself is half the battle. Playing the high gpa poor course rigor game will not get you admitted anywhere strong
Sorry to say AP classes senior year don’t really matter for UC’s. Your SAT score is on the lower side, but I think you have a good chance of getting into lower tier UC’s. Mid/upper tier will be a reach. Writing REALLY good PIQ’s will help though! Good luck!
@len_bias7 I’m not having high hopes to get into the higher-tier UC’s (UCB, UCLA, UCSD). I was mainly focusing on mid-tier UC’s more such as (UCD, UCI, UCSB, or UCSC). But if I cannot get even to there, then I might to go Community College and transfer.
I think your personal insight essays can help your chances but I do not think you could overcome both a Low GPA and SAT scores, but then again I am not an admissions officer so it is definitely worth a try.
Here is what some of the UC campuses consider during their application review:
Davis
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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
Considered: First generation college student, Geographical residence, State residency, Work experience
Note: Scholastic achievement most important, followed by school and community activities, academic interests, special circumstances, special achievements and awards
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Irvine
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Very important: Academic GPA, Application essay, Extracurricular activities, Level of applicant's interest, Rigor of secondary school record, Standardized test scores, Talent/ability, Volunteer work, Work experience
Important: Character/personal qualities, Class rank
Considered: First generation college student, Geographical residence, State residency
Note: Demonstrated record of academic preparation, educational engagement, talent and skills important.
Riverside
Very important: Academic GPA, Application essay, Rigor of secondary school record, Standardized test scores
Considered: Character/personal qualities, Extracurricular activities, First generation college student, State residency, Talent/ability, Volunteer work, Work experience
Note: A fixed weight point system comprehensive review model that culminates in an Academic Index Score to determine admission for incoming freshmen.
Santa Cruz
Very important: Academic GPA, Application essay, Rigor of secondary school record, Standardized test scores, State residency
Important: Character/personal qualities, Extracurricular activities, First generation college student, Geographical residence, Talent/ability
Considered: Volunteer work, Work experience
Note: Test scores, GPA in required subjects most important. Personal statement very important.
You’ll be fine. Just make sure you place a lot of emphasis on your ECs. UC schools really look at them, significantly more than other schools since they do not take recs of any kind.
One more thing: If I took no AP classes in my earlier years and I took 3 my Senior year (and get a passing grade), wouldn’t that show colleges that my academic rigor has increased and I am trying harder?
