UC/CSU schools and my chances.

Chance Me / Match Me!
1

Hey everyone! Lately I’ve been extremely anxious about applying to college. It’s on my mind at least every couple of hours and I keep trying to steer away from it. Let my get straight to the point now:

UW GPA: 2.9 sigh
W GPA: 3.3
SAT: 1600
ACT: 36 (yes I got a perfect score on both)
AP Tests: Chem: 3, APEC: 3, I just took Bio, Physics C: Mech, English Language, and Statistics (feeling really good about them!)
SAT Subject tests: Bio M: 800, Math Level II: 800

Extra Curriculars:
Robotics (4 years) - Design and Software Lead
Science Olympiad (3 years) - Secretary (VP next year)
DECA (3 years) - Secretary (VP next year)
150~ Community Service hours
Played Piano (8 years)
I’m starting my own business sort of thing this summer, so not sure if I include it in this part of the app or not… (same with music production and app development)

Alright, now for the explanation. I know it looks really bad. Especially my GPA. At the end of my Freshman year, my cousin-brother who lived with me my entire life, passed away. That spiraled me into a deep depression in my sophomore year and I started to distance myself from friends and family. That December, my dad was diagnosed with cancer and that hit another home-run and it hit hard. He had to undergo a lot of surgeries/operations and I would visit him daily no matter what. I was a very diligent student, but I never confronted my teachers about the situation. I ended up missing school, giving up study time, and not doing homework. It sucked. I knew I had the potential but it never fully exposed itself in my GPA. My school is quite competitive and looking at everyone else’s GPA it brought mine even lower. I felt like I had no chance and that I’d just end up going to CC. Not that going to CC is a bad thing but it makes me feel worse when I know I had the potential to become something great. There was barely any upward trend in my grades. In fact, it slightly lowered my Junior year because of my rigorous course-load (5 APs, 3 online). I know my extra-curricular activities are not that great but I poured countless hours into all of them (even with my family problems).

I’m not aiming high because I know I won’t make it. My main goal is to apply to UCSD/SDSU because it will be close to home and I can visit my family whenever I want to (my dad is still undergoing a couple of operations). UCR, UCI, and UCSB are all schools that I’m quite interested in. As for the CSUs, I’m looking at CSULB, SLO, Chico, and SJSU. I’m not very interested in out of state schools because I’d prefer staying instate. If you guys have any college suggestions, I’m open to them but these are the main ones I’m eyeing.

I know that CC is always an option and I am considering it, but I would prefer to understand my chances, see what I can do before I submit my apps and then fully commit to CC depending the situation.

Finally, thank you for taking time out of your day to read this long “help me, I’m worried” post, lol. But seriously, it means a lot. If there is any information I am missing or something you would like to know more about, please go ahead and ask. I’ve been worrying about this for too long and I want it to stop so I can move on with my life. Thanks again. <3

2

So, all CSUs use a formula to calculate a number called the EI (Eligibility Index). They all use this number to determine who they admit. The higher the number the higher the chances of being admitted. You would have an EI of 4,240 which is really good. Also, realize these schools won’t look at any of your ECs. If you live in the San Diego area (any where south of the 56 freeway) you will be in SDSU’s service area(if you are north of the freeway than you are in CSU San Marcos’s service area), which basically means they will try to admit you over people out of the service area who have similar or slightly better stats than you. It gives you an added advantage over other applicants. I feel like SLO is a really high reach, but the others on your list are reaches but attainable .

The UCs will be a crap-shoot in your situation because they are very GPA focused (they care more about a high GPA than high test scores). However, if you write some kick-ass, and I mean mind-blowing essays, then you have a decent chance. The UCs also will look at your ECs and factor that into their decisions. I do not believe that any of the UC’s have a service area like the CSU’s. Also, at UCSD you can apply to any major no matter how hard it is to get into. If you do not get admitted to your choices then you are admitted as undeclared and are able to choose a major later on. Admissions to the UCs will come to how they view your essays.

3

I agree - your EI of 4240 makes you a near shoe in for all the CSUs but CP SLO. They use a very different forumila to rank applicants (MCA) and GPA plays a huge part. I think that will keep you out - but, you should apply anyhow. It is a complex formula and the threshold varies widely by major.

For UCs, crap shoot is a good way to say it. With a compelling application, your test scores and ECs could get you into any of the 9 campuses. UCR is the most likely of the ones you list but, I wouldn’t write any of them.

It is going to be an exciting application window for you. Apply really broadly - I bet a couple of surprise acceptances come through.

I’d also apply to USD - there your personal story and strong test scores might get you a significant aid offer. That would also keep you close enough to home.

Good luck.

4

Welp, time to hone my essay skills in time for that application! I have no problem with spending a couple of bucks to send a few applications to UC schools. I’ll look more into CSUs. USD is a potential candidate, but I don’t really like the atmosphere as much. The campus is nice but I felt very awkward walking around it. Thanks so much for the help @NCalRent and @Dawg619 ! Means a lot to me. Hopefully schools will be able to see my senior grades (I’m going to improve no matter what) and they’ll see that I’ve just gone through a rough patch in my life. Thanks yet again friends!

5

Also @Dawg619 how would applying to UCSD work like that? I mean sure, if I apply for something like Chemistry and get rejected, then I move to the undeclared pile. But what if I get admitted into Chemistry (which isn’t a major I plan on doing), then how would I swap majors outside of Chemistry/the Sciences? I heard its much harder to swap colleges once you’ve been admitted so just trying to clarify that.

6

@Officiallyfe It’s easy to switch into a noncapped major. Capped majors (Engineering, Econ, Math, Biology) require you to get a higher gpa than others switching in in a select few classes.

7

@Officiallyfe: Senior year grades are not considered in the admission process for CSU/UC’s, they are only used to make sure you maintain your provisional admission contract. SDSU will ask for a Mid-year transcript if you enroll to insure you are on track with grades/a-g classes. Senior grades may only be a huge consideration if you happen to be waitlisted or appeal, where an excellent senior year could help your chances. UCSD will be a Reach, but since you have a good explanation for your lower than average grades, this could be addressed in one of your essays or by your GC.

Good Luck.

8

Thanks for the explanation @DoctorP! Also, thanks to you as well @Gumbymom. Some people at my school have told me (including teachers/counselors) that since we’re switching to a 4x4 schedule next year (basically 1 semester in 9 weeks) my first term grades will count towards my GPA and go to UC schools. But from what you’re saying is that they won’t go at all. Not sure if you know about this and I’m not entirely sure if my peers and elders are correct but I will try to do some more research on it. Do you guys really think its possible by a slight margin? Also, what is a GC?

9

If your quarter grades will be posted on your transcript prior to applying, then yes those grades could help. Many schools do give out quarter grades but they are not officially posted on the transcripts, so they cannot be included in the self-reported grades on the application.
A GC= Guidance Counselor