My son was rejected by UCSB, UCLA & UCSD. 4.2 GPA, rigorous schedule at a top HS in NorCal. 2050 SAT (750 Math). All-American Swimmer. Scholastic All-American. Team captain in 3 sports. Class officer, etc. etc. Ironically he was accepted at every out-of-state school he applied to. I apologize for dampening anyone’s enthusiasm for UC, but I’m not sure what the UC folks are looking for.
Unfortunately, admissions for those UC’s has become over-the-top competitive. There are more kids applying with similar stats than the schools can accommodate. If you look at the admissions threads for each of these schools, there are many stories like that of your son. I agree that it’s hard to know what they are looking for at times and it must be so discouraging for kids who felt like they were doing everything right in high school. Is the 4.2 his UC GPA? Did he challenge himself with AP classes and tests? I know my son had a friend with similar stats who was rejected from every UC he applied to including UCSC, UCSB and UCD. At the time, we felt like he must have made a mistake on his applications, but I’m just not sure. Where did your son end up and is he happy with his choice? I feel like often, we, the parents, carry a grudge about this longer than our kids so- they are devastated at first and then seem to move on. My hope is that he has moved on and is excited about wherever he ends up in the fall!
Unfortunately, your son applied to the reach UC’s with a 2050 SAT in an extremely competitive year so essays were big make or break decision-makers.
This year was really strange in how they admitted kids. Students with almost perfect scores didn’t get in; at our local HS, we were really surprised at who got in and where.
I’m surprised that LA didn’t offer him a spot. They are usually big on swimmers and athletes; did his high school coaches help at all? Usually, the coaches spotlight the incoming freshman. If your child was All-American, (I’m assuming CIF) I think UCLA made a mistake.
I have to say that this year was the worst year any UC applicant could have graduated. Keep in mind that there was a budget crisis throughout the year, and the way the UCs work around that is by doing what? That’s right. Admitting more OOS students. Also, a 2050 isn’t considered “competitive” although it isn’t a shabby SAT score. This year was a total crapshoot, but the budget problem has been “resolved”, so we have to hold our breath for now.
These days competitivity is not limited just to the students with good academics for schools like UCLA/UCB/USC. It is tough even among athletics.
I wonder how much better this year will be for all the in-state applicants.
Why do you think it might be better?
UCs are supposed to admit 5000 more in-state students for fall 2016. Combination of freshmen and transfer. Part of the budget deal struck last summer with the governor.
@santaclara That site doesn’t seem too reliable for chances. I put in my stats and got UC Davis, UCSD, and UCSB as my matches, with UC Irvine and UCSC as my safeties. My stats aren’t that good and I selected computer science as my major. According to the posts and threads I’ve created myself, all the midtier UC’s should be reaches for me
is the 4.2 a UC GPA if it is it scares me that he was rejected by SB and SD
@Ynotgo Is that number for each school, or just in total?
Total
@Ynotgo 5000 students in total hardly makes a difference…