What are my chances at UCSC?

Chance Me / Match Me!
1

Hello all. I’m a junior at a public school in California, and have been stressing out about my chances at admission because of my lackluster GPA. I would like to get some opinions on my chances at getting into UCSC.

Here are my classes and grades, respectively:

9th

  • Honors English B / A
  • Spanish 1 A / A
  • Physical Education B / B
  • Performing Arts A / A
  • Algebra 1 A / A
  • Int. Ag Geosciences A / A

10th

  • AP European History C / D
  • Geometry C / C
  • Honors English B / B
  • Physical Education B / B
  • Honors Biology B / D
  • Performing Arts ROP A / A

11th

  • AP United States History C
  • AP English Language C
  • Accounting C
  • Physics B
  • Algebra 2 B
  • Performing Arts ROP A
  • Spanish for Sp. Spkrs. A

At the beginning of my 10th grade year, up until my current situation, my grades have slowly started to decrease because of my family life at home. Someone at school informed my very Catholic family that I was gay during 1st semester of my sophomore year, and it immensely impacted my family life. It was to the point where my dad threatened to kick me out of the house. I was not able to do any work at home whatsoever, which resulted in the visible decline in my grades. During this break, I was able to patch things up with my family, and I have high hopes for the second semester of Junior year. I’m aiming for a 4.0, which I know i can achieve.

AP Test Scores:
-AP Euro: 3
-AP Psychology: 4 (self-study)
-AP Environmental: 4 (self-study)

Extracurricular Activities

  • 3 Years of performances and heavy involvement in my high school’s theater department
  • 200 hours of community service
  • Leadership position in our school’s Gay-Straight Alliance
  • Currently taking college courses at a local community college
    Fall Semester 2015
    *Philosophy 101 (3 Units) Grade: C

Spring Semester 2016

  • Cultural Anthropology 102 (3 Units) Estimated Grade: A
  • Human Sexualities 110 (3 Units) Estimated Grade: A
  • Appreciation of Art 160 (3 Units) Estimated Grade: A

I have not yet taken the SATs, but I am aiming for around a 2200. I have been studying since May of 2015, and will be taking it June of 2016. I also received a score of 215 on the PSAT that I took my sophomore year. I also plan on taking 4 APs, and participating in Cross Country and Tennis next year. Taking this all into account, what do my chances of getting into UCSC look like? Thanks for your time.

2

I can’t really chance, but being outed must suck. I’m out to most of my friends and my sister, but I’m terrified of coming out to my parents. I feel your feels, man.

3

To be honest, your grades actually are a bit low for that school, but the SAT scores and mid-year report from senior year can make all of the difference! I’m sure you know this, but don’t just apply to one school.

4

If you write your personal statement about your very unique situation, I have no doubt you will be a good candidate. Sorry that your sophomore had to take a toll. The UC gpa is strictly 10-11 so really step it up. With aps and honors, get all A’s and your gpa will be fine. I’m guessing maybe 3.8-4.0.

again, ucsc is a uc, so they love your personal statement. Write about your difficulties in depth and trigger the pathos in the reader (you will learn in ap lang).

5

At the end of your Junior year, you need to calculate your UC GPA: http://rogerhub.com/gpa-calculator-uc/

UC’s only use 10-11th grades in their GPA calculation so a decreasing grade trend will hurt you. UC’s do not consider Mid-year Senior grades, to it is best to get your act together and finish your Junior year strong.

You want to have a UC GPA of 3.8+ and an SAT score of 1900+ for a decent chance at an acceptance. Remember to have several match and safety schools on your list. Consider UCR/UCM and several of the Cal States. Much will depend on your UC/CSU GPA at the end of the year. You can address your decreasing grade trend in one of your essays which could help your chances.

Good Luck.