I’m a freshman this year who’s looking to apply to UCD’s COSMOS summer program in Clusters 7 and 8. I’ve done some research about the program and the prerequisites, but am wary about the application’s Personal Statement.
Is it ideal if we state our EC’s and past attended summer programs? I attended CTY’s Intro to Biomedical Sciences last year because I’ve always wanted to be a doctor and wanted to learn/review the body systems and diseases.
Or, instead, should I focus more on why I’m interested in applying to this cluster? How I developed my liking for Biology and Chemistry, and thus why I want to apply to COSMOS?
If anyone can throw out a couple of helpful pointer tips on what to and not to write in their PS, please do!
And also, just how hard is it to get into the Biology clusters? Is an unweighted/weighted GPA of 4.0 enough for them to consider me? I’ve skipped a Math level in school (Integrated 1, because we have Common Core), and am currently taking Accelerated Integrated 3 (Algebra 2 Trig/Precalculus in one school year).
@girrafez
I’m applying to the same clusters at UCD and I’m a freshman. Reading previous threads, it seems SUPER hard to get into, even though the course material doesn’t seem that difficult. Do you think I’ll get in with these stats?
4.0 unweighted/weighted
Taking most accelerated math course possible (geom/alg 2/trig)
Did science olympiad for 4 years, science bowl for 2, won 3rd place at national history bowl, 4th place at HOSA-JUMP for medical math, won awards in quiz bowl and debate, starting a medicine nonprofit, in numerous clubs
@lihj4598tvcie your stats are there (unlike mine whoops), but even if you’re a genius the essays are what’s really going to sell you, that’s what i’ve basically summarized haha. if we both get in i hope to see you there!!! best of luck.
Hi everyone! I went to COSMOS at UC Davis as a freshman (if you couldn’t tell from my username). I’d be happy to answer questions that come my way. I already wrote this post in the more general COSMOS thread.
First of all, the personal statement has to be unique. To be completely honest, most of the people applying to COSMOS already have a strong academic background, so the essays are really what set you apart from other applicants. They’re the only part of the application where you can express your beliefs, worldview, and personality, so put a lot of work into them and have multiple rounds of revision. For me, I always tried to make a connection back to the world or my community. Yes, demonstrating an active interest in STEM is amazing and congrats you’re applying to the right program, but that’s true for 99.999% of all the other applicants. You have to make connections beyond just your personal aptitude/investment in science.
Hey, I’m applying to UC Davis COSMOS clusters 1 and 2 (quantum mechanics and applications to nanotechnology,
physics and engineering: from the scientific method to technological applications) as a junior.
Generally, what academic activities do COSMOS accept? Right now I’m assistant principal cellist of El Camino Youth Symphony (my main extracurricular is music), and my level of competitive piano is high enough to be considered on applications. (Music together is about 25+ hrs per week.) I’m assuming COSMOS will take music into consideration, because quite a few students from my symphony attended COSMOS.
Aside from clubs and organizations, will STEM competitions (USAPhO, AMC, Sci-Oly) suffice for the academic activites? Many of my friends considered putting these in their application despite
Is there any way to sneak in your actual classes in high school? Academic-wise, this would be my main advantage, but there’s nowhere in the application where you can directly input this.
Also, how important is unweighted GPA? I’m at a 3.8 for that (3.86 excluding freshman year), which is pretty bad considering most people are 4.0, despite my regular GPA being 4.5.
Finally, What are they looking for most in your statement of interest and reasons for choosing your clusters? I’m split between writing about:
Why that field of study means a lot to me
That I want to make a lasting change in the world
That I wish to further enhance my depth of knowledge in a field I am inclined to
I’m trying to include that quantum mechanics is the root of the nature of science, and how the scientific method (etc.) is the root of applying science and performing experiments. Would these be too irrelevant or incompatible with the prompt?
I’m a Freshman and my crowning academic achievement for this year is my PSAT score because the AMC 10s haven’t rolled around yet. Would there be any way for me to sneak that in?
I am a junior right now. I’ve yet to take the ACT or SAT but I got a 1340 on my PSAT if that means anything. My GPA is around 3.66 unweighted, but I’m taking 5 AP classes right now. I’m in science olympiad. What are my chances?
hey guys! I’m really conflicted right now so if someone could give me advice that would be much appreciated.
My school does physics in 9th grade, but our 8th grade bio class is of high school level. I want to apply to UCI tumor bio cluster and gene/biocontrol cluster but they both req 1 year of hs bio. What do I do?
I don’t want to apply to ucd biomed bc it is too competitive and the only thing that i am actually interested in for ucd is mathematical modeling for mol bio…
one of my older friends got into uci tumor bio last year without completing the hs bio req (but she was in 10th grade and most ca high schools have bio in 9th grade…im guessing cosmos assumed that she had already taken bio so they just let her pass. i can’t try for the same lucky pass bc i am in 9th grade and honors physics will show up on my transcript so they will know i have not completed the req)
should i try my luck at uci or just do mathematical bio at ucd (and not put a 2nd choice)? biomed is 1st choice only which is why i can’t put it as 2nd
here are my stats:
W GPA: 4.67
UW GPA: 4.0
APs Taken: I’m only a freshman so I only have APCS with Data Structures
EC: Ballet for 10 years, USACO Silver Competitor, part of my Women in STEM club
what are my chances at mathematical molecular bio at ucd?
Hi everyone! I’m planning on turning in my application tmrw and I was just wondering what my chances would be with the following stats:
-current sophmore
-3.35 gpa uw
-medical association club officer at my school
-patient services hospital volunteer
-did Rosetta Institute summer program last summer(before my sophomore year) at UCB
-HOSA: preparing for events and going to compete in SLC
-biology tutor in 9th grade for struggling students
I’m applying to clusters 7 and 8 at Davis (Biomed and Chem of Life); I know my gpa is kinda bad but with ec’s and good apps do you think I can make it? Thank you so much!
@jam24520 your ECs seem really good, but the average GPA at cosmos was 3.8. i’m not sure which one weighs in more when it comes to admissions, but a lot of alums have been saying that your essays are the most important part. make up for your GPA with strong essays and PS.
Hey guys! I just finished my application and wondered if anyone else went for Cluster 4: Introduction to Astrophysics at UCD. Does anyone know how popular this cluster is too? I’d be really grateful for an answer, thank you!
@Psychanthropy my son applied to the same clusters. You sound like a well rounded, intelligent student and if I were on the admissions committee, I’d vote, “Yes!”
I hope you both get in and have an amazing experience. Fingers crossed.
@tothecosmos can you let me know ur stats and other STEM activities u did beside school & a good essay. I am a 8th grader now and would like to try for 2019 application.
