***ucsb class of 2024 decision thread (stats only)***

Colleges and Universities A-Z University of California - Santa Barbara
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[aB][asize=4][acolor=#008000]Decision: Admitted[/color][/size]**
[aB][asize=4][acolor=#FFA500]Decision: Waitlisted[/color][/size]**
[aB][asize=4][acolor=#FF0000]Decision: Rejected[/color][/size]**

Merit scholarships awarded (if any):

Major (and division if applicable) applied to:

Academic stats:

Calculate your GPAs with https://rogerhub.com/gpa-calculator-uc/
UC Unweighted GPA:
UC Capped Weighted GPA:
UC Fully Weighted GPA:
ELC (top 9%):

Comments about course load (including senior year):
SAT (total and sections):
ACT (total and sections):
SAT Subject Tests (if any):
AP exams (scores in parentheses):
IB exams (score in parentheses):
Major Awards (USAMO, Intel etc.):

Subjective:

For the following, indicate level of recognition or award (e.g. local, state, national, international) and/or leadership roles:
Extracurriculars:
Job/Work Experience:
Volunteer/Community service:
Summer Activities:

Personal Insight essays (details):
Letters of recommendation/Augmented Review:

Demographics

State (if domestic applicant):
Country (if international applicant):
High school type:

Gender:

Applied for need-based financial aid?:

Highest level of parent education:
Living with both, one, or no parents?:

Reflection

Strengths:
Weaknesses:
Why you think you were accepted/waitlisted/rejected:
Where else were you accepted/waitlisted/rejected:

**General Comments: **

2

Just received the chancellors invite, so that is pretty much an early indicator of acceptance.

Merit scholarships awarded (if any): chancellors invite so im hoping for some merit but idk

Major (and division if applicable) applied to: Biology

Academic stats:

Calculate your GPAs with https://rogerhub.com/gpa-calculator-uc/
UC Unweighted GPA: 3.89
UC Capped Weighted GPA: 4.21
UC Fully Weighted GPA: ?
8 AP Classes

Comments about course load (including senior year): terrible senior year courseload (4 APS), im actually dying. took all honors throughout HS, and STEM electives every year. Junior year i took AP Bio and Honors Chem, it was a great time.
SAT (total and sections): n/a
ACT (total and sections): 35 (36, 31, 35, 36) 8 Writing
SAT Subject Tests (if any): 800 Math 2, 770 Bio E
AP exams (scores in parentheses): APUSH (5) AP world (5) AP Bio (4) AP Lang (4)
IB exams (score in parentheses):
Major Awards (USAMO, Intel etc.): AP Scholar with Honors

Subjective:

For the following, indicate level of recognition or award (e.g. local, state, national, international) and/or leadership roles:
Extracurriculars:
varsity swim
club swimming
solar panel club (officer)
national honor society president
model UN
Job/Work Experience: italian restaurant job for 3 years
Volunteer/Community service: volunteer at yoga studio
Summer Activities: summer biology classes at UCLA, internship at doctors office

Personal Insight essays (details): they were good, i paid to get them edited lol
Letters of recommendation/Augmented Review:

Demographics

State (if domestic applicant): OOS, New York!
Country (if international applicant):
High school type: public

Gender: female

Applied for need-based financial aid?: yes

Highest level of parent education: PHD
Living with both, one, or no parents?: one

Reflection

Strengths: test scores and essays
Weaknesses: gpa wasnt that high? also not rly any awards

General Comments: honestly wasnt expecting to be accepted because im OOS, but pleasantly surprised

3

Received Chancellor’s Invite so i’m assuming early acceptance

Merit scholarships awarded (if any): not sure yet, will see at chancellor’s reception

Major (and division if applicable) applied to: Psychological and Brain Sciences

Academic stats:

Calculate your GPAs with https://rogerhub.com/gpa-calculator-uc/
UC Unweighted GPA: 3.89
UC Capped Weighted GPA: 4.18
UC Fully Weighted GPA: ?
ELC (top 9%): yes

Comments about course load (including senior year):

total of 10 ap courses, 2 college level honors and 2 regular honors
ap european history, ap chem, ap lang, apush, english 9 and 10 honors
taken senior year: ap stats, ap micro, ap micro, ap macro, ap gov, ap lit, ap psych, french 4 honors, political science honors
SAT (total and sections): 1250 (670 english 580 math)
ACT (total and sections):
SAT Subject Tests (if any):
AP exams (scores in parentheses): ap euro (3) ap chem (3) ap lang (4) apush (4)
IB exams (score in parentheses):
Major Awards (USAMO, Intel etc.):

Subjective:

For the following, indicate level of recognition or award (e.g. local, state, national, international) and/or leadership roles:

Extracurriculars:
President and Founder of National Alliance on Mental Illness club
Black Student Union
Mentors in Action Tutoring Club
Job/Work Experience: n/a
Volunteer/Community Service:
volunteer for organization that tutors underpriveleged kids reading and comprehension skills
volunteer for program that does therapeutic horse riding for special needs kids
volunteer in emergency department

Personal Insight Essays (details):

  1. introducing fun and innovative ways to help my tutoree learn better.
  2. taking initiative in order to do better ap chem and raise grade.
  3. my experiences and ostracization as a black student throughout the years and how this inspired me to start a bsu club.
  4. my fascination with psychology after taking it which led me to create a national alliance on mental illness club.
    really good, showed my personal voice and passions
    Letters of Recommendation/Augmented Review:

Demographics

State (if domestic applicant): California
Country (if international applicant):
High school type: public

Gender: female

Applied for need-based financial aid?: yes

Highest level of parent education: 2 year college degree
Living with both, one, or no parents?: both

Reflection

Strengths: extracurriculars, extremely rigorous course load, high gpa w/ mostly a’s
Weaknesses: sat score practically below their 25th percentile

really wasn’t expecting to get accepted just bc of my sat but mentioning that I want to become a child psychiatrist + my major choice + my extracurriculars together really shows my passion in psychology; definitely why i think i got in

4

[aB][asize=4][acolor=#008000]Decision: Admitted[/color][/size]**

Guessing I got in based on chancellor reception invitation
Merit scholarships awarded (if any):
idk yet
Major (and division if applicable) applied to:
Pre-Biology/and or Pre-Psychological & Brain Sciences

Academic stats:

Calculate your GPAs with https://rogerhub.com/gpa-calculator-uc/
UC Unweighted GPA: 3.85
UC Capped Weighted GPA: 4.11
UC Fully Weighted GPA: 4.49
ELC (top 9%): yessir

Comments about course load (including senior year):
SAT (total and sections): did not submit because :confused:
ACT (total and sections): 32C: 34 E 32 M 31 R 30 S
SAT Subject Tests (if any): Math 2: 800 Biology M: 710 Chemistry: 720
AP exams (scores in parentheses): 3 in AP Bio, Lang, and World History, 4 in Chem, 2 in Calc (LOL)
IB exams (score in parentheses): no
Major Awards (USAMO, Intel etc.): none

Subjective:

For the following, indicate level of recognition or award (e.g. local, state, national, international) and/or leadership roles:
Extracurriculars: Section Leader, Varsity Marching Band; Section Leader, Concert Band; Varsity Track & Field; Captain/Founder, Science Olympiad; Ambassador of e-STEM academy program; Science and Engineering Research Project Mentor; United Sound Member (teach special education how to play); Principal Advisory Committee Member (handful of people chosen by principal to discuss how we can make the school a better place);HOSA Member: listed LIFE Health Internship that I planned to do this school year
Job/Work Experience: NONE, cause school itself was my job
Volunteer/Community service: Kaiser Permanente Hospital Volunteering (130+ hours)
Summer Activities: Kaiser Volunteering, Band Camp (which I didn’t talk about), took an English college course, sectional rehearsals, etc.

Personal Insight essays (details):
In the leadership essay talked about my leadership experience as a section leader what I gained from it as well as how this was applicable to wanting to study brain science. Another essay (educational opportunity) talked about my experience in my school’s e-STEM program in which catered to my interest in the medical field more and allowed me to do a research project. In the talent essay, I talked about my ability to communicate with other people how it’s allowed to build relationship with a variety of people from my school. I also related that to how it’s allowed to gain leadership positions and volunteer positions and stuff like that while adding a bit more of how it related neuroscience, psychology, and how we think and all that. In my last essay(passion), I talked about my absolute passion for neurobiology and I even gave it a theme around different brain concepts I was interested in. overall, that’s pretty much it. I felt my essays arched over the different themes in my life but they all tied into what I wanted to study somehow. So perhaps this is a good strategy
Letters of recommendation/Augmented Review: didn’t receive a request for this?

Demographics

State (if domestic applicant): IN-STATE SOCAL
Country (if international applicant): USA
High school type: Public (near 5000 students)

Gender: Male

Applied for need-based financial aid?: yes

Highest level of parent education: 2 yr or associate degree (only one of em)
Living with both, one, or no parents?: both

Reflection

Strengths: my essays? Counselors said they were pretty solid. My ECs were also pretty good and I think that both of these combined carried my app
Weaknesses: I feel my unweighted GPA was pretty bad, but my capped weighted and act were well in the average
Why you think you were accepted/waitlisted/rejected: Well-rounded applicant pretty much
Where else were you accepted/waitlisted/rejected: rejected to Stanford, and im waiting to hear from UCI, UCD, UCSD, UCLA, UCB, USC, cal poly slo and cal state fullerton

General Comments:
I’m just happy to be going to a college, but the next worry is seeing if I get into USC

5

Received UCSB Chancellor’s Invite so assumed acceptance?
also UC Davis Regent Scholars

Major (and division if applicable) applied to: Communications

Academic stats:

Calculate your GPAs with https://rogerhub.com/gpa-calculator-uc/
UC Unweighted GPA: 4.0
UC Capped Weighted GPA: 4.32
UC Fully Weighted GPA: 4.32
ELC (top 9%): yes

Comments about course load (including senior year):

10th grade: AP Euro
11th Grade: APUSH, AB Calc, English III Honors, ASB, Journalism
12th Grade: AP Comp Sci, AP Lit, BC Calc, AP Gov/Micro Econ, ASB, Journalism

SAT (total and sections): 1520 (770 English, 750 Math)
AP exams (scores in parentheses): AP Euro (3) AP AB Calc (3) APUSH (4)
Major Awards (USAMO, Intel etc.): JSA Pacemaker, Best of SNO (Both journalism related), Regional LAX Athletic Award, 2 School Math Awards

Subjective:

For the following, indicate level of recognition or award (e.g. local, state, national, international) and/or leadership roles:

Extracurriculars:
Newspaper Editor
ASB Leader
Improv VP
Varsity LAX Captain
Theater(Director/Actor)
Powderpuff Captain
Club Soccer
Job/Work Experience:
Tutoring
Volunteer/Community Service:
worked in friend’s club for kids in hospital

Personal Insight Essays (details):

  1. How I used theater to become a leader then took my leadership to ASB
  2. how improv helps me express my creativity and share it with others
  3. why I decided to take journalism and how it helped me learn about my community
  4. how history inspires me to channel strength
    good essays! tried to keep them lighthearted and entertaining, used them to highlight my strengths and just explained how I have found my place in the world through building community

Demographics

State (if domestic applicant): California
Country (if international applicant): US
High school type: public

Gender: female

Applied for need-based financial aid?: yes

Highest level of parent education: Graduate School, Masters Degree
Living with both, one, or no parents?: both

Reflection

Strengths: SAT, pretty diverse extracurriculars and essays
Weaknesses: AP scores and only took 3 APs before senior year, also didn’t submit my subject tests

i really think essays and ecs played a big role bc i know a lot of kids with better stats who didn’t get this

6

Dear Son’s stats:

Major (and division if applicable) applied to: Chemical Engineering

Academic stats:
Decision : Admitted!!!

UC Unweighted GPA: 3.96
UC Capped Weighted GPA: 4.34
UC Fully Weighted GPA: 4.55

Comments about course load (including senior year):
AP Gov
AP Spanish
AP Physics
AP Econ
AP Bio
SAT (total and sections):1520 (720 R, 800 M)
SAT Subject Tests (if any): Math-II-800, Chem-800, Bio(E)-790, Spanish-720
AP exams (scores in parentheses):
AP Calc BC (5)
AP Calc AB 3 subscore: (5)
AP Euro (4)
APUSH (5)
AP Chem (5)

For the following, indicate level of recognition or award (e.g. local, state, national, international) and/or leadership roles:
California All State Band, Santa Clara County Honor Band
Section Leader in Marching Band

Extracurriculars:
Section Leader in Marching Band - 4yrs
1st chair Euphonium in Symphonic Wind Ensemble - 4yrs
Jazz Band - 2yrs
MEDCSI Internship at Stanford, Doctor Shadow program at India Hospital

Job/Work Experience: Worked as Cashier at a Bakery in Summer

Volunteer/Community service:
More than 450 hrs of volunteering at Kaiser Hospital

Personal insight essay topics:
9/10
Letters of recommendation submitted:
10/10
Demographics
Asian Indian
State (if domestic applicant): CA
Country (if international applicant):
High school type: Small, Public
Gender: M
Race/ethnicity:
Asian Indian
Applied for need-based financial aid?: No
Pell grant eligible?: No
Maximum Pell grant (FAFSA EFC = $0)?: No

Highest level of parent education: Masters
Living with both, one, or no parents?: Both

Where else were you accepted/waitlisted/rejected:
CP SLO - Accepted
SJSU- Accepted
CP Pomona- Accepted
UC Merced-Accepted
UC Davis - Accepted
UC SD - Accepted
UC SC - Accepted
UC SB - Accepted
Stanford EA-Rejected
Johns Hopkins-Rejected
SCU - Accepted with 10k scholarship
Harvey Mudd - Waitlisted
General Comments: Waiting UCB, UCLA, UCI, USC, Purdue, BU, Northeastern, Northwestern, Cornell, CMU, and Rice.

7

Decision: Admitted

Merit scholarships awarded (if any):

Major (and division if applicable) applied to: Pre-Biology

Academic stats:

Calculate your GPAs with https://rogerhub.com/gpa-calculator-uc/
UC Unweighted GPA: 3.8
UC Capped Weighted GPA: 4.07
UC Fully Weighted GPA: 4.21
Eligibility in Local Context?:

ELC eligibility (Local or State): Not sure
Comments about course load (including senior year): 6 Honors 6 APs
SAT (total and sections):
ACT (total and sections): 32C- 36 Reading, 35 English, 30 Science, 28 Math
SAT Subject Tests (if any): Bio M- 670
AP exams (scores in parentheses): French-3, English Lang and Comp- 5, Environmental Science-4
IB exams (score in parentheses):
Major Awards (USAMO, Intel etc.): AP scholar

Subjective:

For the following, indicate level of recognition or award (e.g. local, state, national, international) and/or leadership roles: MVP of softball league, 1st team all league, 1st team all county, 1st team all section, best offensive player for softball. Player of the year award, most inspirational, and most improved x2 for volleyball.

Extracurriculars: 4 years varsity softball (captain) , 1 year JV- 3 years varsity volleyball (secretary), environmental club 2 years

Job/Work Experience: Consistent babysitting and petsitting

Volunteer/Community service: Local garden club volunteer for 12 years (put on events and fundraisers). Volunteered on sidelines of less privileged school for 2 football seasons and assisted the doctor.

Summer Activities: Conservation internship on local federal reserve

Personal insight essay topics: 8-9/10

Demographics

State (if domestic applicant): CA
Country (if international applicant):
High school type: public, 850 kids

Gender: F
Race/ethnicity: white

Applied for need-based financial aid?: yes
Pell grant eligible?: yes
Maximum Pell grant (FAFSA EFC = $0)?: yes

Highest level of parent education: some college
Living with both, one, or no parents?: one
Relation to alumni of college: none

Reflection

Strengths: ACT score, personal insight responses were strong and vulnerable but also showed my niche passions and hobbies.
Weaknesses: GPA was brought down my junior year after a serious incident, but I explained this within my application.
Why you think you were accepted/waitlisted/rejected: Reasons listed as strengths above.
Where else were you accepted/waitlisted/rejected: Accepted: CSUSM, CSULB, SDSU (Honors). Waitlisted: UCSD, UCD, Cal Poly

General Comments: SO HAPPY! This has been my first choice for 2 years!

8

Decision: Admitted
Major: Physics

Academic stats:

UC Unweighted GPA: 3.87
UC Capped Weighted GPA: 4.40
UC Fully Weighted GPA: 4.60

Course load: 8 APs for all 4 yrs
SAT: 1500
ACT: 35
SAT Subject Tests: Physics (760), Math (710)
AP exams: Bio (5), Physics (5), Drawing (5), Calc AB (5), Calc BC (5), English Lang (3), Chem (tbd), English Lit (tbd)

Subjective:

Extracurriculars:

  • 4 yrs school paper editor and artist. Writing articles, designing pages, and illustrating full-page spreads and images to go with articles.
  • 5 yrs powerlifter. 3 national USPA records, no coach, on a 24hr Fitness membership
    -Self-taught animation and digital art since elementary. Projects for school and personal interests, up to year-long to complete. YT channel has >2 million views, 20k subs

Job/Work Experience: Math tutor for a student for a few months, commissioned to design an ad
Volunteer/Community service: About 80 hours at a food bank and a local art center.

Summer Activities: Personal animation/digital art projects and powerlifting. Mostly stayed home and did my own thing.

Personal Insight essays (details): Self-made powerlifting journey, activism in journalism about dieting, year-long animation project based off a video game, public speaking challenges

Demographics

State: CA
High school type: Public

Gender: Female
Ethnicity: Asian

Applied for need-based financial aid
Living with one parent, bachelor’s education

Reflection

Strengths: Test scores, GPA, achievements, EC’s are unique for an Asian female
Weaknesses: Little leadership or work with organizations, most activities I do don’t require social interaction
Why you think you were accepted/waitlisted/rejected: Strong stats, EC’s show self-motivation
Where else were you accepted/waitlisted/rejected: UCSC (accepted), UCSD (accepted)
General Comments: Hoping for the best for everyone!

9

Decision: Admitted (Chancellors Reception Invite)

Major Pre BioPsychology (1st choice)

Academic stats:

UC Unweighted GPA: 3.96
UC Capped Weighted GPA: 4.2
UC Fully Weighted GPA: 4.4
ELC Top 9%: Yes

Comments about course load (including senior year):
10 AP’s

Test Scores
SAT: 1410
SAT Subject Tests (if any): None
AP exams (scores in parentheses):
AP Calc AB subscore: (5)
AP Bio (3)
AP English (4)
AP Computer Science (4)
AP Seminar (3)

For the following, indicate level of recognition or award (e.g. local, state, national, international) and/or leadership roles:
Section Leader in Marching Band

Extracurriculars: Very involved in and outside of school. Elected Leadership role in every club involved in
Section Leader in Marching Band - 4yrs
2nd chair Flute in Symphonic Wind Ensemble - 4yrs

Job/Work Experience: 2 plus years of work as Tutor and in a family owned store

Volunteer/Community service:
More than 400 hrs of volunteering

Personal insight essay topics:
10/10
Letters of recommendation submitted:
10/10

State (if domestic applicant): CA
Country (if international applicant):
High school type: Large, Public
Gender: F

Applied for need-based financial aid?: Yes
Pell grant eligible?: No
Maximum Pell grant (FAFSA EFC = $0)?: No

Where else were you accepted/waitlisted/rejected:
UCR- Accepted
UC SD - Accepted
UC SB - Accepted
Cornell-Accepted
General Comments: Waiting UCB, UCLA, UCI, USC, Northwestern, Emory,Stanford

10

REJECTED for ART MAJOR

UC Unweighted GPA: 3.9
UC Capped Weighted GPA: 4.17
UC Fully Weighted GPA: 4.17
ELC (top 9%): No

Comments about course load (including senior year): 5.5 APs total (AP Macro 1st semester senior year)
SAT (total and sections): 1320: M700 R620

Subjective:

Extracurriculars: NHS member 3 years; officer 2 years; 4 years varsity swimming; 2 years Field Hockey; Club Swimming since age 10; Interact Club
Job/Work Experience: NA
Volunteer/Community service: NA

Demographics

State (if domestic applicant): CA
High school type: Large, public

Gender: F, white
Applied for need-based financial aid?: No
Highest level of parent education: Both college grads
Living with both, one, or no parents?: Both

Reflection

Strengths: ??
Weaknesses: GPA?, Test Scores
Why you think you were accepted/waitlisted/rejected: Maybe need more variety in ECs–more than just sports? Summer job, volunteering?
Where else were you accepted/waitlisted/rejected: Accepted UCD, Cal Poly, SDSU, Chico

General Comments: Will be enrolling at Cal Poly for Graphic Communication!

11

Decision: Admitted + invited to join the Letters and Science Honors Program!

Major: Pre-Biology

Academic Stats:

UC Unweighted GPA: 3.77
UC Capped Weighted GPA: 4.14
UC Fully Weighted GPA: 4.5

SAT (total and sections): Total: 1550 (Verbal: 780, Math: 770)
SAT Subject Tests (if any):
Math 2 - 790
Literature - 800
Chemistry - 720

Course load (including senior year): 10 AP Classes, 3 Honors Classes

9th grade -
Chinese 4 Honors

10th grade -
AP Chinese
Pre-Calculus Honors
Physics Honors

11th grade -
AP Calculus BC
AP Biology
AP US History
AP Language and Composition
AP Studio Art: 2D Design

12th grade -
AP Microeconomics
AP Statistics
AP Chemistry
AP Literature

AP exams (scores in parentheses):
AP Calc BC (4)
AP Biology (4)
AP US History (4)
AP Lang and Composition (5)
AP Chinese (5)
AP Studio Art (3)

Awards: National Merit Finalist (not really a major award but I thought I’d include it)

Subjective:

Extracurriculars:
Cheerleading (Head Varsity Captain, 4-year sideline/competition team member)
Speech and Debate (2-year Speech Captain, 3-year member)
Interact Club (Co-President, 3-year member)
District Council (Community Project Coordinator - Partnered with a national nonprofit to create the yearly community service project that Interact D5170 contributes to)

Job/Work Experience: Kumon English Tutor for 3 years

Summer Activities:
UC Davis Young Scholars Program (2019)
UCSD Academic Connections (2018)

Demographics:

State (if domestic applicant): CA
High school type: Public

Gender/Race: F, Asian

Applied for need-based financial aid?: Yes

Highest level of parent education: Grad School - Masters
Living with both, one, or no parents?: One

Reflection:

Strengths: Test scores and Leadership/Personal Insight responses
Weaknesses: GPA (considered low for application pool)
Why you think you were accepted: See strengths

12

Decision: Admitted

Major (and division if applicable) applied to: Pre Political Science, College of Letters and Science

Academic stats:

UC Unweighted GPA: 3.76
UC Capped Weighted GPA: 3.95
UC Fully Weighted GPA: 4.21
ELC (top 9%): top 4%

Comments about course load (including senior year): took pretty much as many AP classes as I could and a very rigorous schedule for my school
SAT (total and sections): 1360 (710 E, 650 M, 17 W)
ACT (total and sections): 32 (30 M, 33 R, 33 S, 30 E)
SAT Subject Tests (if any):
AP exams (scores in parentheses): AP Euro (4), APUSH (4), AP Calc AB (4), AP Physics C (3), AP English Lang (3)
Major Awards (USAMO, Intel etc.):

Subjective:

For the following, indicate level of recognition or award (e.g. local, state, national, international) and/or leadership roles: 7th overall at International SeaPerch comp, qualified 2x for Science Olympiad states norcal
Extracurriculars: STEM Club, Science Olympiad (president and founder), SeaPerch, Mock Trial, Student Council leadership (ASB Community service commissioner and ASB Treasurer), Varsity Golf (captain), Diving/Swimming (1st female diver in the league for two years), Volleyball (captain two years)
Job/Work Experience: worked to create a design for a night surveillance robot for the county jail
Volunteer/Community service: 160+ hours mostly with school-related organizations, middle school Science Olympiad, and organizations that help cancer patients
Summer Activities: study abroad in france, NSLC forensics

Personal Insight essays (details): wrote essays about chronic health condition, my brother who is on the spectrum, science olympiad, and studying abroad

Demographics

State (if domestic applicant): In-state (norcal)
High school type: Public

Gender: Female

Applied for need-based financial aid?: Yes

Highest level of parent education: DVM
Living with both, one, or no parents?: both but divorced

Reflection

Strengths: extracurriculars and community service
Weaknesses: GPA and stats
Why you think you were accepted/waitlisted/rejected: I think I had some strong ec’s and showed a lot of commitment
Where else were you accepted/waitlisted/rejected: UCB (regent’s invite), SLO (accepted), SDSU (accepted), SFSU (accepted), CSUN (accepted), UCSD (waitlisted)

13

Decision: Admitted

I got in with a 1360 SAT! I did have a strong GPA (4.0 u/w 4.6 w).

14

Decision: Accepted!

Merit scholarships awarded (if any): none

Major (and division if applicable) applied to: Econ

Academic stats:
3.95 UC GPA, 4.3 UC Weighted GPA
ELC (top 9%): Yes

Comments about course load (including senior year): Freshman year no APs because none offered, Sophomore took all APs availible (only 1, but also took an honors math), Junior year: 2 AP 2 Honors, took all class periods availible while most juniors do not
AP exam scores; AP European history 5, APUSH 5, AP Computer Science Principles 4
Senior Year: AP Calc AB, AP Chem, AP Comparative Government, AP Spanish 5, AP Lit, Newspaper
ACT (total and sections): 34 (35 Reading, 35 Grammar, 34 Math, 32 Science)
SAT Subject Tests (if any): 710 US History, 710 Math 2
AP exams (scores in parentheses):
IB exams (score in parentheses):
Major Awards (USAMO, Intel etc.): Awards by CA Womens Press for opinion articles, Commended Scholar for National Merit Scholarship, Local journalism awards, AP Scholar

For the following, indicate level of recognition or award (e.g. local, state, national, international) and/or leadership roles:
Extracurriculars: [Copied and Pasted from UC app]

  • interned on Kamala Harris Presidential Campaign, in charge of youth efforts in Bay Area 11,12
  • Opinion Editor for nationally recognized school newspaper11,12
  • Started political podcast that gets 500-1000 views per episode
    -President and Founder of Feminism Club9,10,11,12
    -Moot Court (semifinalist)11 (program was discontinued)
    -Cheerleading (Captain Grade 10) 9,10,11
    -Lobbied w a political firm for women’s reproductive rights (10)
  • Jewish Club (Secretary, Treasurer, then VP) 10,11,12
  • BSU member – helped and assisted w getting message of club out (11,12)
    -Model UN (11,12)
    -Equity Council – founding members of schools equity council bringing together diverse students on campus to discuss issues of race, gender, equity, etc.

Job/Work Experience:
-Work at local restaurant for about 8-12 hours a week, have been doing so since sophomore year
Volunteer/Community service:
-Started an organization promoting women in business which held a panel of 4 businesswomen at my school – 100 attended, helped people get internships, etc
-Organized book drive for students in Africa as part of literature club, collected over 1000 books and 500 dollars, started 2 libraries in Botswana
Summer Activities:
-New York Times Summer Program,
-Service Trip w/ immersion element to Ecuador

Personal Insight essays (details): Pretty good – focused with a theme of social justice including my work with BSU and Feminism Club, as well as my passion for spanish and traveling abroad, being politically active etc: all had the theme of social justice/political stuff because that is what I intend to do with my (hopefully) double major in poly sci and econ.

Demographics

State (if domestic applicant): CA
Country (if international applicant):
High school type: Public

Gender: Female

Applied for need-based financial aid?:

Highest level of parent education: Law School
Living with both, one, or no parents?: Both

Reflection

Strengths:I think my ECs demonstrate my interest for my major as well as my essays – it is pretty clear I am passionate about the issues I work on
Weaknesses: Essays probably
Why you think you were accepted/waitlisted/rejected:
Where else were you accepted/waitlisted/rejected: Accepted to (so far, still waiting)
Michigan, Wellesley, SDSU, Cal Poly, UCSD, UCSC, UCD, Indiana Business School, Northeastern, Boulder, Santa Clara, University of Washington, Boulder, American

Rejected from: Barnard, Wash U in St. Louis

General Comments:

15

Merit scholarships awarded (if any): None

Major (and division if applicable) applied to: Cognitive Science

Academic stats:
UC Unweighted GPA: 3.83
UC Capped Weighted GPA: 4.0
UC Fully Weighted GPA: 4.0
ELC (top 9%): Yes

Comments about course load (including senior year):
SAT (total and sections): 1450 Total, 750 Math, 700 English
ACT (total and sections): -
SAT Subject Tests (if any): -
AP exams (scores in parentheses): AP Chem - 4 / AP Calc AB - 4
IB exams (score in parentheses):
Major Awards (USAMO, Intel etc.): All-League Offensive Linemen

Subjective:

For the following, indicate level of recognition or award (e.g. local, state, national, international) and/or leadership roles: Football Team Captain for 2 Years
Extracurriculars: JV Football - 1 Year, Varsity Football - 3 Years
Job/Work Experience: Tutor At Kumon
Volunteer/Community service: Hindu Temple Restoration Group
Summer Activities:

Personal Insight essays (details):
Letters of recommendation/Augmented Review: No letters of rec, very strong essays

Demographics

State (if domestic applicant): In state
Country (if international applicant): US
High school type: Public

Gender: Male

Applied for need-based financial aid?: Yes

Highest level of parent education: PhD
Living with both, one, or no parents?: One

Reflection

Strengths: Unique applicant
Weaknesses:
Why you think you were accepted/waitlisted/rejected: Indian lol
Where else were you accepted/waitlisted/rejected:

General Comments:

16

Accepted

Major (and division if applicable) applied to: Political Science

Academic stats:
UC Unweighted GPA: 4.0
UC Capped Weighted GPA: 4.4
UC Fully Weighted GPA: 4.5
ELC (top 9%): Yes

Comments about course load (including senior year): full IB diploma, no APs. IB program has additional writing requirements and assessments which are additional work beyond the classroom and exams.
SAT (total and sections): n/a
ACT (total and sections): 33
SAT Subject Tests (if any):
AP exams (scores in parentheses): n/a
IB exams (score in parentheses): 6/7 for Spanish SL, sitting for remainder of exams in May

Subjective:
Extracurriculars: multiple clubs including leadership roles in two, orchestra, swim team
Job/Work Experience: part time job at ice cream shop, extensive babysitting
Volunteer/Community service: work at local garden that grows/harvests food for a food pantry, various school and community events (IB program requires 150 hours across arts, athletics, and volunteering).
Summer Activities: summer theater, World Affairs Institute, volunteering, part-time work

Demographics
State (if domestic applicant): CA
High school type: large public
Gender: female
Applied for need-based financial aid?: no
Highest level of parent education: bachelor degree
Living with both, one, or no parents?: both

Reflection
Strengths: IB program, volunteering and programs demonstrating interest in political science/public policy
Weaknesses: Pursuing the IB program forced certain decisions related to course selection
Where else were you accepted/waitlisted/rejected:
Accepted: UCSD, UCD, UCSB, SLO, SDSU, Wash, Oregon, Wisc., Illinois
Waiting to hear: UCLA, UCB, Michigan, BU, Northeastern, Georgetown

17

Decision: Admitted

Merit scholarships awarded (if any): No

Major (and division if applicable) applied to: Political Science

Academic stats:

Calculate your GPAs with https://rogerhub.com/gpa-calculator-uc/
UC Unweighted GPA: 4.0
UC Capped Weighted GPA: 4.21
UC Fully Weighted GPA: 4.32
ELC (top 9%): Yes

Comments about course load (including senior year): 2 non-UC Honors freshmen year, 4 non-UC honors sophomore year, 3 APs (USH, Chem, Psych) and 1 UC Honors junior year, 6 APs (French, AB Calc, Bio, Lit, Micro econ, Govt) senior year

SAT (total and sections): 1490 700RW 790M
ACT (total and sections):
SAT Subject Tests (if any): US History (800) Chemistry (760)
AP exams (scores in parentheses): APUSH (5), Psychology (5), Chemistry (5)
IB exams (score in parentheses):
Major Awards (USAMO, Intel etc.): Top 15 in California National History Day, Le Grand Concours Silver, National Merit Scholarship Commendation, AP Scholar, various department awards, 200+ service hours school award

Subjective:

For the following, indicate level of recognition or award (e.g. local, state, national, international) and/or leadership roles:
Extracurriculars:
-Varsity Mock Trial Attorney, Vote16 SMC Board, Varsity Cross Country and Track, California Girls State, Student Government: Secretary-Treasurer, ASB HR

Job/Work Experience:
-Shift Lead at a Gelato Store

Volunteer/Community service
-Tutor for elementary school students, Autism Buddies Volunteer

Summer Activities:
-After 9th grade: Summer program at UCLA, Internship with Local Mayor, Sociology at Community College, Girl Scouts Camp Leader

Personal Insight essays (details):

  1. fight for women’s basic right over bodily functions by working to add feminine hygiene products in bathrooms
  2. questioning traditional study methods and becoming more adaptable while tutoring students with different learning styles
  3. fight for Ecosia on school-sponsored computers to advocate for forest conservation
  4. birth of passion for history and promoting LGBTQ+ interests during internship with mayor

Letters of recommendation/Augmented Review: None

Demographics

State (if domestic applicant): CA
Country (if international applicant):
High school type: Public

Gender: Female

Applied for need-based financial aid?: No

Highest level of parent education: Grad School
Living with both, one, or no parents?: both

Reflection

Strengths: essays, extracurriculars
Weaknesses: test scores and GPA for school statistics
Why you think you were accepted/waitlisted/rejected: passion for politics and history is visible throughout the application
Where else were you accepted/waitlisted/rejected: Accepted to SDSU Webers Honors College, University of San Fransisco, Cal Poly SLO, UCD, UCR, UCSC, Syracuse, UCSD

18

Decision: Admitted w/ L&S Honors invitation

Major (and division if applicable) applied to: Pre-Biology

Academic stats:
UC Unweighted GPA: 4.0
UC Capped Weighted GPA: 4.35
UC Fully Weighted GPA: 4.39
ELC (top 9%):

Comments about course load (including senior year): 2-3 AP classes per year
SAT (total and sections): 1470 (740 math, 730 reading)
ACT (total and sections): 34 (36E, 32M, 36R, 31S)
SAT Subject Tests (if any): none
AP exams (scores in parentheses): AP Calc AB (5), AP Physics Mech C (5)
IB exams (score in parentheses):
Major Awards (USAMO, Intel etc.): none

Subjective:
Extracurriculars: piano, theater, soccer (rec only), church youth group
Job/Work Experience: rec soccer asst. coach, soccer referee
Volunteer/Community service: 3+ hours per week at SJ animal shelter
Summer Activities: pre-college program in veterinary science

Demographics:
State (if domestic applicant): California (Bay Area)
Country (if international applicant):
High school type: public

Gender: female

Highest level of parent education: BS x 2
Living with both, one, or no parents?: both

Reflection:
Where else were you accepted/waitlisted/rejected:
Accepted: UC Davis, UCSC
Waitlisted: Cal Poly SLO, UCSD

19

Admitted!!

Merit scholarships awarded (if any):

Major (and division if applicable) applied to:

Academic stats:

Calculate your GPAs with https://rogerhub.com/gpa-calculator-uc/
UC Unweighted GPA: 3.4
UC Capped Weighted GPA: 3.7
UC Fully Weighted GPA: 3.7
ELC (top 9%):
No idea but I was when I applied last year
Comments about course load (including senior year):
SAT (total and sections): 1500(720R,780M)
ACT (total and sections):
SAT Subject Tests (if any):
AP exams (scores in parentheses):
Bunch of 3s no stellar scores
IB exams (score in parentheses):
N/A
Major Awards (USAMO, Intel etc.):
N/A
Subjective:

For the following, indicate level of recognition or award (e.g. local, state, national, international) and/or leadership roles: N/A
Extracurriculars: N/A
Job/Work Experience: Tutor at Kumon
Volunteer/Community service:
Nothing stellar but was a lot
Summer Activities:
None
Personal Insight essays (details):
Talked about experience and how it helped me grow personally. I talked about grade trend in additional info.
Letters of recommendation/Augmented Review:
I didn’t get
Demographics
Came from underprivileged school in SB county which might of helped ( not sure)
State (if domestic applicant): CA
Country (if international applicant):
High school type:
Public school slightly below average
Gender:
Male
Applied for need-based financial aid?: No

Highest level of parent education:
Living with both, one, or no parents?:
One has doctorate other has bachelor

Reflection
Honestly, UCSD now UCSB, I am truly shocked and I believe I got admitted despite a really low gpa because of my background that showed that I am much more capable than my gpa says.
Strengths: SAT, Essays
Weaknesses: GPA!
Why you think you were accepted/waitlisted/rejected:
Strong Essays and ECs, good explanation for low gpa, solid SAT score
Where else were you accepted/waitlisted/rejected:
UCSD- Accepted
CP SLO- Accepted
CSULB- Accepted
Rutgers- Accepted
Stevens- Accepted
SDSU- WL
UCSC- WL
Pepperdine- WL
UCD- Rejected
General Comments:
Honestly, super happy with how UCs have gone for me. Getting UCSB and UCSD have been amazing considering how low my gpa was! Have UCLA, Berkeley and UCI to go which will be interesting to see!!

20

Denied
Undeclared Letters and Science

Academic stats:
UC GPA: 4.04
SAT: 1280 (M 610, R 670)
ELC (top 9%): yes

AP: APUSH, APEuro
Dual-enrollment: 8 community college classes

Subjective:
3 years of Newspaper/Journalism
as Editor and staff writer
Over 250 hrs of Volunteering with White House President award
Soccer & Varsity LAX

Demographic: White, middle class, In-state

High school type: Large Public

Gender: Female

Applied for need-based financial aid?: No

Highest level of parent education: BS Degree
Living with both, one, or no parents?: both

Reflection:
Strength: Strong ECs and essays
8 UC transferable College courses
Ok GPA
Weaknesses: low SAT test score
This was a dream school for my D, brother graduated from UCSB
That is a first straight Rejection - tough pill to swallow - may appeal just to put it all

Accepted: UCD, UCR, Chapman, CSULB, Saint Mary, LMU
Waitlisted: SDSU, Cal Poly SLO
Waiting to hear from: UCI