I am planning to apply to UCs, but I am not sure about my chance of getting in because… different websites give me different estimates.
I will list the following information so that someone with experience would tell me if I have a good chance of getting into one of the UCs… hopefully Santa Barbara or Berkeley.
Asian Male
California Resident
Bilingual
GPA 3.5 unweighted, 4.2 weighted
Currently attending an early college
Almost no community service (I only did what was required)
No club or varsity sports
One year experience as a ASB rep
Intended Major: General Physics
AP Exams passed: Calculus BC, Physics B
AP Exams failed: English Language, United States History
SAT Reasoning: first score - 1710 (R470, M740, W500) ; second score - pending
SAT Subject: planned to be taken (Math II and Physics)
ACT: planned to be taken
Are there more criteria for admission? What would be my chance based off of this given information?
Thank you!
Saftey - Merced, Riverside
Match - Davis, Irvine, Santa Cruz, Santa Barbara
Reach - San Diego, LA, Berkeley
What is your UC GPA? http://rogerhub.com/gpa-calculator-uc/
At the moment, your UW GPA and SAT score are below average for most of the UC’s.
You need close to a 4.0 UC GPA and around a 1900+ SAT for a decent chance at the Mid-tier UC’s.
UCM/UCR: Match
UCSC: High Match
UCI/UCD/UCSB: Low Reach
UCSD/UCLA/UCB: Reach
Your essays and EC’s are all part of the application package so lacking in these areas will hurt. Get your test scores up and you will be in a better position
I do not have my transcript with me at this moment, but I will use this calculator when I do.
What are the UC Honors course, though? Are those approved a-g courses? Does course rigor matter?
My intended major is Physics. However, I will be applying for Nuclear Engineering just for UC Berkeley.
You have to check the UCOP doorways website, so see which Honors classes at your HS are UC approved for the calculator.
https://hs-articulation.ucop.edu/agcourselist#/list/search/all
They count only 8 additional grade points for weighted GPA? My weighted GPA dropped to 3.8 then.
Are you in a gap year? Is that why you are attending an early college?
Are you in a dual enrollment program? I don’t understand which level of schooling you are currently in.
I am currently enrolled in a dual enrollment, yes. I have earned several college units at the attached community college.
Santa Cruz, Merced and Riverside are matches.
The rest of the UCs are long shots.
Would getting good scores on SAT, SAT subject tests, and ACT help me increase the chance?
English is not my first language, so I am still improving. I have taken the last SAT in March, and I believe that my English has gotten better since then.
Yes, it is partially your scores and GPA, but it is also lack of EC’s for the UC’s. You only did what was required and that didn’t help.
Ah, I see. I suppose I have to deal with it, then…
If I want to get into a good graduate school, though, what can I do in the college that I will go to?
Get “good” to “excellent grades”.
Get some work experience or internships.
Write a decent application.
Get a high score on the GRE- Graduate Record Exam
Have very good Letters of Recommendation from your professors and work manager.
Find something to contribute a lot of hours in for your community service.
Thank you very much! I will have my finger crossed to get into one of good UCs, and I will keep your advice in my mind throughout my college years.