UC:B engineering with very high PSATs but mediocre GPA

Chance Me / Match Me!
1

<p>I am a junior and plan to take the SATs this spring. My PSAT grades:
Writing: 80
Math: 74
Reading: 80</p>

<p>I think I can do just as well on the SAT, assuming my essay goes over well. I think I can also earn 700+ scores in the Literature, Chemistry, and Math II SAT subject tests.</p>

<p>My AP tests:
Human geo: 5
Euro history: 3</p>

<p>I do a few extracurriculars, nothing athletic though.</p>

<p>My real problems, however, are my grades. My unadjusted GPA is slightly below 3.5. Freshman year is particularly a drag - I got a C in AP Human Geography. Everything else averages out to a A or B each year and the first semester this year. My class rank as of the end of 10th grade was just barely in the top 20%. My grades have been improving, so maybe by the end of this year I can be in the top 15%.</p>

<p>Luckily, UC schools throw out Freshman year on their GPA system. Also, their adjusted GPA system adds 1 point per honors or ap class up to a maximum of eight. This brings my GPA up to right about 4, depending on whether classes like computer science, programming, and world religions are counted.</p>

<p>I also took US History last summer at the local community college to make room for some electives in my schedule during the school year - scored an A. Not sure how this fits in.</p>

<p>My parents could afford to send me without financial aid, but we aren't exactly rolling in cash. I'm from the east coast so I'm at a disadvantage applying to a California state school.</p>

<p>Here are my questions:
Do the UC's really not consider freshman year at all?
Would applying for financial aid keep me from getting in?
Is there anything I can do, other than write a good essay and get better grades to give me an advantage?</p>

<p>What are my chances of getting in?</p>

2

<p>In answer to your questions:</p>

<p>Do the UC's really not consider freshman year at all?</p>

<p>They judge based upon the sophomore and junior years only (and senior year if you have already graduated) and only consider the freshman year if you are a borderline case.</p>

<p>Would applying for financial aid keep me from getting in?</p>

<p>It doesn't make a bit of difference. They will figure you can either afford it or you can't. Keep in mind that the UCs get about 200,000 applications. They really don't have time to figure out who needs financial help and who doesn't.</p>

<p>Is there anything I can do, other than write a good essay and get better grades to give me an advantage?</p>

<p>Move to California before the end of your junior year.<br>
Seriously, though, the fact that you are an out-of-state applicants means that you need absolutely outstanding grades and test scores to have the slightest chance at UC Berkeley.
Last year, the average UC GPA of those admitted to UC Berkeley from in-state was 4.21--and as you have indicated, you are currently below that by .2 GPA--and you are an out-of-state applicant. The average SAT score of those admitted from in-state was 2006 or so, with average SAT II scores of 630 each (on two tests). To make up that .2 GPA deficit, you will need an extra 200 points from the SAT test--and as an out-of-state student, you will need an additional 150 to 200 points (combined) on the SAT II tests (or a score of at least 700 on each SAT II test), since out-of-state students need to be better overall than those admitted from in-state.</p>

<p>P.S. Remember that you get 8 extra points maximum (1 for each semester that you take an honors/IB/AP course). If you take more honors/AP/IB courses than this, your UC GPA can actually go down even if you get an A in every extra honors course you take (because the most you can get is a 4.0 for each extra course). The UCs will not penalize you for this--and will consider extra tough coursework in their review. Thus, (strangely), it is actually possible that a student with a 4.15 UC GPA can get in while a student with 4.20 UC GPA will not, since the first student took the greater number of tough courses.</p>

3

<p>If I live in Maryland should I consider Maryland College Park a "safety" or a "match"? </p>

<p>What about Michigan Ann-Arbor? I might count as a resident there.</p>

4

<p>The UCs really only count 10th and 11th grade. With a UC weighted 4.0 and SAT I and IIs that match your PSAT, you should have a good chance.</p>

<p>Do not count on a cent of aid. They have almost no aid for OOS students and there is talk of taking more OOS kids for the money. So your family needs to decide if it's worth $40K plus per year and factor in that only 60% graduate in 4 years because it's hard to get the classes you need. It's safe to plan on 5 years. This is like paying full price at a top private and many would question the value.</p>