<p>Hello,
I was wondering what my chances are regarding admission to the UC schools. If you can briefly touch upon each one by merely indicating 'rejected' 'accepted', or some description like 'maybe' I would GREATLY appreciate it. My freshmen year GPA was absolutely horrid (2.5). However, it has risen immensely, with a 3.5 sophomore year and a 3.9-4.0 my junior year, with a number of APs (Between Junior and Senior year I'll have roughly 5 or 6 and I'm assuming I'll get 4s and 5s on the exams). Additionally, my senior year schedule is incredibly rigorous. Also, my SAT score is incredibly average, at an 1800. I have good EC's: I've started a religious diversity club, I am captain of my schools debate team and ranked as the top speaker in NJ, I am teaching debate to younger students, I am politically active, and I've written for a politically oriented online magazine. Furthermore, I am a black belt and work as an assistant, teaching martial arts. Additionally, I will have glowing recommendations from truly qualified teachers, I also believe that I can write a pretty kick-ass essay. Unfortunately, I am an out of state student (NJ) which I know can hinder my chances. I would love some insight regarding my chance of admission.
Thank you very much</p>
<p>Correction: my SAT score is exactly an 1860. </p>
<p>Try UCSC, UCR and UCM…</p>
<p>Is there a problem with Rutgers-NB?</p>
<p>@Catria Thanks! There is no problem with Rutgers, but I would like to leave the state. Also, I have a tainted view of the University as a NJ resident. Is it respected outside of New Jersey? </p>
<p>California does not give significant financial aid, especially to OOS students, so if you can afford $50K per year, you could apply to Riverside and Merced. With the tough competition to get into the UC’s, I don’t think you’ll get into Santa Cruz based on your SAT score.</p>
<p>@123ghfsgdy: Calculate your UC GPA (weighted) see link: <a href=“Cal State Apply | CSU”>Cal State Apply | CSU;
Lucky for you, UC’s do not include Freshman grades in the GPA calculation and for OOS, you can only use your AP classes Soph/Junior year for the extra Honors points.
As aunt bea pointed out, OOS students get very little financial aid so you would have to come up with at least the OOS tuition fee of $23,000 on top of your EFC. You would be wise to consider schools closer to NJ, where you would get better financial aid (not necessarily in-state).</p>
<p>In addition to the good advice above, realize LOR’s are not considered. Not sure about rigor of senior classes, but it can’t hurt! In my experience gpa >>SAT, but UCSC gave extra points for an “upward trend”; a gpa increase of 1.0, (presumably between sophomore and junior year). Not sure if they still do. Good luck!</p>
<p>Try the ACT too…</p>
<p>@Catria @Shrinkrap Thanks for the responses! Personally, do either of you think I have a shot at a school like UC Davis or UC Irvine? </p>
<p>Of course you have “a shot” if you have satisfied all the requirements! The one that often trips OOS students up is the fine arts requirement. And the money 
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<p>@Shrinkrap Haha, I have definitely fulfilled the fine arts requirement (Art 1 and AP Art History). I emailed the local admissions officer and he made it seem like my chance of admission was at least somewhat promising. But honestly, it’s hard to tell if he was sincere. </p>
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<p>Yes. It seems odd that NJ resident students seem to think that Rutgers is the worst school in the country.</p>
<p>Cost will be a big issue for out-of-state students. Use the net price calculators on the web sites.</p>
<p>@ucbalumnus Thanks for the tip! Also, yeah I suppose it is a bit pretentious. Admission to Rutgers is fairly easy for NJ residents, so it gives the impression of diminished prestige. In that vein, I know plenty of intelligent kids that attend Rutgers simply because it is very reasonable for instate students. </p>