<p>So I was accepted to UC Davis, UC Irvine, denied to UCLA, and UCB, and waitlisted to UC Santa Barbara. UCSB is my top choice and I was wondering what my chances to get off are? Here's some information about me so you can tell how competitive (or non-competitive) I am:</p>
<p>SAT Subject Tests
E-Biology: 740 Math lvl 2: 640</p>
<p>I was on the wrestling team and live overseas, but I'm a resident of Cali. I'm taking 4 IB Classes (in case you don't know what they are, they're just like AP).</p>
<p>By the way, if you want to, it would be cool if you could add your thoughts on these colleges? I still haven't made up my admissions decision. Some of my big concerns are social life.</p>
<p>GPA seems solid, but SATs are a bit low with the exception of SAT subjects. You’re competing against 2,428 spots(schools newspaper as source). Chances are very slim and really against you. Nonetheless you’re going to SIR to UCI or UCD but possibily stating your major would help us give you some feedbacks? In terms of social life, obviously UCSB is best but against UCD and UCI I’d pick UCD. UCI is said to be a commuter’s school and people tend to leave but of course you’ll still have the majority of people staying for the weekend. I lived in Sacramento before coming to UCSB and I did party at UCD for a bit during senior year. Events are held there often definitely and greek life seem pretty good to me(although I was just in h.s. and probably didn’t know as much). There were frat house parties and just regular dorm parties too and the town is really nice. What I like about Davis is that you can just hang out at a spot with about two or three friends and still make it fun(of course that can be anywhere too). UCI is near LA area so if ya got a car then you’re good to go.</p>
<p>I’m going to be undeclared, but im interested in creative writing, video game design, or film design. idk if that last part helps…</p>
<p>btw my gpa might be higher than 4.0 if it is weighted with the IB classes, since i got strait A’s in those.</p>
<p>Yeah, I thought my SAT’s were I bit low … i was hoping my 740 bio subject would bring my chances up :P</p>
<p>Ummm. here’s some other stuff about me if you all (or anybody else) still wants to contribute.</p>
<p>I’m in National Honor Society, published in the school’s literary magazine, and I play piano. Here’s a link to a website I made for college admissions (I was hoping it would make me stand out): [David</a> M. Tappan](<a href=“http://www.davidtappan.com/]David”>http://www.davidtappan.com/) . Besides other work experience, that’s all I can think of right now…</p>
<p>@tjdabeast Thanks for your thoughts on my colleges btw.</p>
<p>omg! that’s crazy that you didnt get in!
Your stats are alot higher than mine! both your GPA and SAT scores are higher than mine
wow you should have got in!</p>
<p>You need to treat being waitlisted the same as being rejected. Much is written about how to improve your chances for getting taken off the waitlist, and the reality is that schools tend to use a very small percentage of their waitlists (often much less than 10%). </p>
<p>Focus on the schools you’ve been accepted to.</p>
<h2>@jpm50 yeah, I’m focusing on the schools i’ve been accepted to now… I think I’m leaning towards UC Davis over Irvine… I’m just hoping for a miracle for later.</h2>
<p>anything I can do improve my chances to get off the waitlist (which sounds pretty slim if they only accept 10%)? Write an email to them? Where can I add that I’ve been accepted to cum laude society somewhere, or is it too late to update my resume?</p>
<p>Oh yeah. and I was in 2 school plays/ improv shows. btw, i worked in the american embassy both in rome and madrid over the summers… does this hold any weight or is it just like normal work?</p>
<p>Hey, honestly you’ve been accepted into UCD and UCI both of which are amazing schools. If I were you on a waitlist of nearly 2500 students as I mentioned before, I would just write them a letter. Your accomplishments with the embassy and everything is amazing. I’d personally choose a letter rather than an e-mail since it seems more professional and update them on your accomplishments or rather write to them possibly similar to appeals? Research waitlist on google though, there’s a great thread about washU somewhere on cc. Your chances are slim, and you’ve got great fall back schools, honestly I don’t think you’ll be losing much granted you’re already on waitlist with possibly other 4.0 gpa and high SAT(presented in this year’s stats). I truly hope you the best, anyone passionate about attending ucsb and is this concern makes me happy as a student to know the prospect types of people attending =P Good luck!!!</p>
<p>Please research and think it over. Its a bit like a gamble to me and think it thoroughly. It would make me feel awful if this isn’t the procedure to do it and it doesn’t get you in ><</p>
<p>I definitely agree, write a letter. try to include official structured things, those that hold prestige (that embassy thing rocks!)
I would say that SAT I’s are only a shade off the lows (1909 was the reported average according to other thread on CC, and I know personally I had a 2190, so top 10% average about a 2200-2300… so lows are like 1800’s, mid 1700’s?)
SAT II biology a definite plus, 640 not so bad, a 600 is supposed to be decent.
I’d say you’re in the upper half of the waitlist at least, and a number of those will head off to schools that they HAVE been accepted to…</p>
<p>I would go to Davis. I think very similar people attend UCD as UCSB. Although the campus is a bit “aggie” it is beautiful and has some great programs. If this helps everyone I know who’s gone to UC Davis has loved it and I think that’s a great thing.</p>
<p>Irvine would probably better for your majors, and it’s literary majors are some of the best around and they just introduced a new gaming major. When I visited the campus they lacked school spirit, seemed a little bit unsoical, conservative and 60% asian. It was the weekened, and there was barely any people on campus (commuter campus). The surrounding area is just a suburban neighborhood, very safe and quiet; however, you can get to Huntington beach within 10 minutes by car. There are some clubs there and some undergrads move off camus there so there are some parties on weekends as well. If you get sick of it, you can always hit up L.A. Irvine’s location is really good for internships. You definitely need a car to get around or find a friend with one!</p>
<p>Davis had a lot of good diversity and more outgoing liberal people. However, keep in mind there is not that much to do outside of Davis since it is in the middle of nowhere. There are definitely more parties than in Irvine. They have a lot of school spirit and are big on sports. It is a true college town so you can find things to do without even leaving campus since it is so big. However, I’ve heard that everyone leaves campus for breaks and that it can be kind of empty on weekends as well. Davis is more famous for majors in the sciences. Oh, and their food is REALLY good!</p>
<p>Please don’t choose a school based on their rankings. UCSB, UCD and UCI are ranked almost the same. Pick it based on which one you feel most comfortable at and what is important to you. UCD and UCI couldn’t be more opposite.</p>
… i was hoping my 740 bio subject would bring my chances up :P</p>
:D</p>