UCs, USC... low GPA.. fair SAT

Hi guys,
I’m planning on applying to the following colleges this fall:
UCI
UC San Diego
UCLA
UC Riverside
USC
Cal State Long Beach
Cal State Fullerton

GPA: About a 3.36 (UC)
SAT: 1930
SAT IIs: Lit 540 (gonna retake)
US 580 (")

APs:
10-Euro
11-US (3)
11-Environmental Science
11-Physics B
12-English
12-Biology
12-Civics
12-Spanish

Honors:
11-Precalc
11-English
12-Economics

ECs:
Newspaper Editor-In-Chief 9-12
Key Club 10-12
Interact Club 10-12
Academic Decathlon: 10-12
CSF: 9-12

Volunteer Work In Addition to Key Club/Interact stuff:
Sunday School volunteer teacher 9-12

Awards:
5th Place in speech in Orange County Academic Decathlon

Has anyone heard of someone who got in with such a low GPA?
Where can I get in and where should I not bother applying to?
Thanks

<p>UCR, Cal State LB, and Cal State Fullerton - I bet you have a good shot. The others, especially UCSD, UCLA, and USC are reaches - don't think you have enough extracurriculars. But hey, high SAT scores, and pump out some kickass essays ... ya never know! Which makes a good point, apply wherever you wish to apply because you really don't know what colleges are looking for sometimes! Good luck!</p>

<p>Agreed; UCLA, UCSD, USC, and maybe UCI is gonna be a good reach. With that many APs and Honors, I'd expect something closer to 4.0, if not over.</p>

<p>if your County residence is OC, then Fullerton is automatic accept. Long Beach, since its impacted, becomes a Match, which can be partially offset by an early app -- get it in frist day. Likely accepts (Match) into UCI and UCR, others are super reach, and not worth the app fee, IMO, unless you have a hook.</p>

<p>The extracurriculars are not a problem for the schools you are looking at. The #1 factor is GPA & the #2 is SAT. Work hard senior year & get good grades, & see if you can maange to improve any of your SAT II's. UC's highly suggest Math IIC, so maybe you should take that.</p>

<p>As for the UCs, getting good grades senior year isn't a very helpful tip since they don't ever see your grades until you accept their school. (Though you need to maintain a 3.0 average and no D's or F's to keep the acceptance.)</p>

<p>Working hard -- taking a heavy courseload -- can be beneficial.</p>

<p>It might help for an appeal. I know people that solid grades senior year made their appeals successful.</p>

<p>I should add that I get a fee waiver to 4 UC's. So money is not the issue with that.</p>

<p>UCI: Slight reach
UC San Diego: reach
UCLA:big reach
UC Riverside:match</p>

<p>AdmireMe:</p>

<p>Ignore my previous evaluation of your chances. Here's the updated one:
UCLA: Super Reach
UCSD: Reach
UCI: Slight Reach
UCR: Match</p>

<p>
[quote]
As for the UCs, getting good grades senior year isn't a very helpful tip since they don't ever see your grades until you accept their school. (Though you need to maintain a 3.0 average and no D's or F's to keep the acceptance.)

[/quote]
</p>

<p>I might be remembering incorrectly, but don't they see at least your quarter grades? I thought they saw the semester grades, but sadly, even though it was so soon ago, i can't remember.</p>

<p>
[quote]
Working hard -- taking a heavy courseload -- can be beneficial.

[/quote]

This person is doing a good job of this. Keep it up.</p>

<p>
[quote]
It might help for an appeal. I know people that solid grades senior year made their appeals successful.

[/quote]
</p>

<p>I believe you, but the schools publish information saying good senior year grades is not a basis for an appeal.</p>

<p>
[quote]
With that many APs and Honors, I'd expect something closer to 4.0, if not over.

[/quote]
</p>

<p>Plenty of people in the hardest classes don't ace em. Perhaps you mean the poster is being overchallenged?</p>

<p>I'm assuming you expect a higher GPA since AP classes are weighted. I I weighted everything, it would be more like a 3.7. But, i'm going with the UC GPA and kind of underestimating it a little.</p>

<p>Anyone Else Have Input?</p>

<p>what major are you applying as?</p>

<p>I would say you have a shot at Riverside because you've challenged yourself. What about Merced? Personally. I would rather see kids go to a cc for 2 years than on to a UC unless a CSU has a program they really want.</p>

<p>I'm going to put undecided-social sciences for my major. Does the major really make a difference?</p>

<p>"Anyone Else Have Input?"</p>

<p>You don't have to over or under-estimate your UC GPA. You can calculate it exactly. It is very simple. You must weight it correctly because there is a huge difference between a 3.36 and a 3.7. Figure it out so that you can estimate your chances realistically.</p>

<p>Lit is a very hard SAT II to score well on. Maybe pick another subject.</p>

<p>The problem with calculating my GPA is that I received a D in precalc and that's what I plugged into my GPA. However, my GPA will change since i'm in the process of repeating it in a summer course at a community college (expecting a B). Also, i'm not sure if courses like journalism and PE are accepted my all the universities i'm applying to.</p>

<p>UCI- reach
UC San Diego- big reach
UCLA-super big reach
UC Riverside- maybe, perhaps reach?
USC- reach
Cal State Long Beach- match
Cal State Fullerton-match</p>

<p>Also, admits have to send their senior year grades to the UC school. They can actually "un-admit" you if your GPA takes a tumble of more than .5 (For example, 4.0 to 3.5).</p>