Hi guys, I’m applying to UCD this cycle and am feeling a bit nervous!!
My UC weighted GPA is 3.92, unweighted is 3.8… I have a low SAT score (1000), but will retake.
I’m interested in the Global Disease Biology major in the CAES.
I’m a Junior, but Senior standing, so will be graduating this year.
My weighted GPA is not that high because I was not offered Honor/AP classes. In 9th grade I was able to take English H for a semester, 10th grade I took a music class at CC (got an A), then took Anatomy and Physiology 2nd semester and got a 79(C). I was homeless during that time and going through a lot which explains my bad grade.
This semester my school would not let me take any college classes, so I am doing dual enrollment at the comprehensive hs to take Chem H and Physics. I am in a Dental Assisting program and will be doing a 150+ hour internship next semester. I have some comm service hours and am the only student in my class who wants to go to college. My rank is 1/40 ish. I’m so nervous of not having a chance of getting in, but got hope when I saw their student profile and that they’ve accepted people with scores lower than 1000 Sat.
Is there anything I can do to increase my chances? Like a college visit or something?
Your SAT score is way below the 25th percentile for UC Davis and even low for UC Merced. I posted the 2018 admitted Freshman ranges for several UC’s as comparison. Your UC GPA is within range but below average.
You have to remember that applicants that are admitted on the lower end of stats, usually have something compellling in their essays or are recruited athletes.
Freshman admit rates for UC GPA of 3.80-4.19 (capped weighted) and not major specific:
UCD: 56.5%
Average UC GPA capped weighted for UCD: 4.11
2018 Data:
25th - 75th percentiles for SAT:
UCD: 1220-1480
UCSC: 1210-1450
UCR: 1130-1380
UCM: 1020-1280
Unless you can get your SAT score into the 1250+ range, your chances depending upon intended major are low. Doing SAT prep and bumping up your scores is the only thing you can do at this point along with writing some great personal insight essays.
You need to devote your time in finding some safety and match schools that fit your current stats.
UCD does not consider a students interest as part of the admissions process.
- DAVIS- Freshman Application Review
- Very important: Academic GPA, Application essay, Rigor of secondary school record, Standardized test scores
- Important: Character/personal qualities, Extracurricular activities, Talent/ability, Volunteer work
- Considered: First generation college student, Geographical residence, State residency, Work experience
- Note: Scholastic achievement most important, followed by school and community activities, academic interests, special circumstances, special achievements and awards
Admission decisions are made based upon the qualifications of the applicant pool and the number of available spaces within each academic area:
• College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences admits by college
• College of Biological Sciences admits by college
• College of Letters and Science admits by division within the college
• (Humanities, Arts and Cultural Studies; Mathematics and Physical Sciences; Social Sciences)
• College of Engineering admits by academic department
Students applying as "undeclared" or "undeclared/exploratory" are considered within the college/division to which they applied.
Thanks for the encouragement!
I don’t think graduating early will impress the admins.
If anything, I think it would be detrimental to your admission since you lack experience.
They want to see kids who take full advantage of their current school and activities.
What is the rush?
Davis does accept some lower scores but these are usually students they need -athletes, artists, etc. The bio degrees are impacted and full of students who have had strong grades and internships.
Taking a dental assisting program will put you even further behind, because you will be obligated to finish those hours and keep straight A grades this next semester. UC’s consider grades 10-11, so if you can’t get through your courses this year, you will be stuck.
If you can afford to take a prep class such as Kaplan or Princeton Review or Elite, you can often gain 200+ points on your SAT test. However this would of course only help if you held back a semester or perhaps even one year for graduation. If you intend on applying this month, not much else to suggest.
I took one for the ACT, but to tell you the truth when I took the actual test I was so anxious. A lot of time passed and I was just feeling so overwhelmed. As for the SAT, I received a 14 on the essay which is in range of UCD. I just need to improve the actual score. From the replies I’ve been receiving, I’m feeling I have no chance and a bit upset…
My advice is to graduate on time meaning as a Senior, complete your dental assisting program and apply for UCD and other 4 year universities next year so you will have ample prep time for the SAT.
The SAT essay is the least important part of the SAT. As a possible STEM major, your EBRW and especially your Math score will be far more important.
I would also recommend graduating as a senior because universities will want to make sure you are prepared to enter more rigorous coursework. There are a good number of students who arrive here at Davis and are instantly overwhelmed with classes, whether it is simply due to higher difficulty, or underestimating the speed of the quarter system. You will likely have better chances as a senior with a little more experience.
I understand feeling upset, but you’re lucky in that you have the opportunity to prepare for one more year. You can use this time to iron out your essays and improve your SAT score. Use the additional year wisely.