<p>Neither of my son’s were ELC at their HS but qualified by the Statewide path.
Even if he is not ELC, your son has competitive stats so it will not hurt his chances at UCB. If he does not get accepted, it won’t be due to him not qualifying for ELC at his HS.</p>
<p>Thanks to both @ucbalumnus and @Gumbymom for your timely reply. To answer the questions:</p>
<p>a. It should not have grade inflation since it is one of the top schools in CA
b. Many top students do seem to have high GPA. My son’s 9-12 GPA is 4.35 and the <em>average GPA</em> from his school of those accepted at UCB is 4.5 per Naviance.
c. It participates in ELC </p>
<p>The school has tons of honors and AP classes, FWIW.</p>
<p>I just hope that he is not going to be penalized for not being in ELC; that the students in his context have performed much better than him :-(</p>
<p>To me, that equals grade inflation. (Our top 5% is ~4.2.)</p>
<p>ELC is not a factor for Cal, but the fact is that he is maybe top decile. Even though class rank is not an official admission criteria for UC, during holistic admissions, relative rank will be noticed. What adcoms do with that info is up to them. </p>
<p>For example, other than those with a really good life story, generally only the highest-ranked students from our HS gain admission to Cal.</p>
<p>A.<br>
Would grade trends matter? EVERY semester of 10-12, his grades have moved up. That is, the mix of grades (when seen in the fine light of A-, A, A+), the mix of “-”, “+” grades each semester was better than that of previous semester. Would that cover his little lower grades (hopefully not by much) as compared to the ELC group??</p>
<p>B.
I am worried as his number of
a) AP: (3 in 12th, and total of just 3 more in 10th & 11th ----- so, grand total of 6);
b) 1 CC course, and 2 more in the 12th second semester,
c) Just one UC approved honors course
is much less than what UCB applicants would have. </p>
<p>(he took 4 more honors in 10-11 but UC does not count them.)</p>
<ol>
<li>Academic grade point average in all completed “a-g” courses, including additional points for completed UC-certified honors courses.</li>
<li>Number of, content of and performance in academic courses beyond the minimum “a-g” requirements.
Number of and performance in UC-approved honors and Advanced Placement courses.</li>
<li>Identification by UC as being ranked in the top 9 percent of their high school class (“eligible in the local context,” or ELC).</li>
<li>Quality of a student’s senior-year PROGRAM, as measured by the type and number of academic courses in progress or planned.</li>
<li>Quality of their academic performance relative to the educational opportunities available in their high school.</li>
</ol>
<p>I know he can change nothing right now. But, it is very depressing But perhaps I am asking this to see if it can cheer up our spirits … These will be 4 long months to wait.</p>
<p>g-parent, no one here is an adcom for Cal, so no one knows.</p>
<p>Great test scores, but UC considers GPA more highly. Rank does not count, but lack of ELC will be noticed. (Think about it from an adcom’s standpoint, to admit your son, they’d have to pass on some of his classmates that are higher ranked.) Plusses and minuses are not counted by UC. And, as I mentioned before, grades in 12 do not count;. only the curriculum matters (point 4 above) for admissions.</p>
<p>The UC apps are in, so let it go and start focusing on the the RD apps due Jan 1. Plenty of colleges will love to have his test score, and will pay money for it. Will he apply to USC’s scholarships, for example?</p>
<p>
</p>
<p>btw: such things are rarely considered by UC. And for such an issue to be considered, he’d have to write about them in one of his essays. But don’t forget, UC’s response could easily be, “yes, we understand the need to stay in the East Bay; if so, attend a community college for two years and then transfer.” </p>
<p>Op,
From a theoretical standpoint, not making ELC must mean that your son is not in the top 9% of his HS class. There are lots of kids at his class who are ranked higher, who are likely applying to UCB. And there are lots of kids in the state of CA who have higher GPAs who are applying to UCB. These kids also have 2300+ SATs and great ECs too, just like your kid. Basically, it’s lottery time now. He pulled his ticket. Now he has to wait for the numbers to be announced.</p>
<p>True. There would be LOTS of students with much better GPA, and surely better AP course load, and even better SAT. Wish the nature of a person was the marker as this child is so sweet that he will not hurt a fly, and always thinks of others first; and also, ultra-honest. And, has overcome severe severe adversity (has written an essay on that). The GC will speak to what he has done and endured but UCs do not give GC a chance to speak. So, it will all come down to the essay. Perhaps, the essay will be enough???</p>
<p>The ECs are really really good. But, I cannot say much due to confidentiality reason. Just one of the kind. Tremendous intellectual achievement. I am very proud.</p>
<p>I should stop posting now and live with my insecurities. Who knows which way will the camel tilt. He is happy to go to even a community college. It is just my heart that cries given what he has endured, and yet produced.</p>
<p>Thanks everyone for all the attention and care that you have shown. </p>
But perhaps I am asking this to see if it can cheer up our spirits … These will be 4 long months to wait.</p>