The UC system has a ‘Admission By Exception’ opportunity where if you don’t meet the minimum requirements to get into the school, you can still apply and try.
Being an out-of-state resident for the state of California, I am required to have a minimum GPA of 3.4 for 10th and 11th grade.
These are my numbers, please tell me what you feel my chances are like:
Intended Major - Computer Science
UC GPA [10th & 11th grade, honors given no extra weight, only aps given weight] = 3.21
SAT - 2020 [630 Reading, 710 Math, 680 Writing]
ACT W/Writing - To be taken, Definitely expecting over a 32 based on all the diagnostics I’ve taken
SAT Subject Tests:
Math II - 750
Math I - 670
Biology M - Taking October
US History - Taking October
AP Exams:
AP Computer Science - 5
AP Psychology - Taking 12th grade
AP US Gov - Taking 12th grade
AP Statistics - Taking 12th grade
I have a lot of knowledge for the field I’m applying for and I spend a lot of my time researching it. I have examples of work that I have committed done related to programming and I’d be more than willing to showcase this to colleges.
If I do great on these upcoming Subject Tests or ACT, I’ll definitely try for exception by exam.
And if it doesn’t hurt, I was born in California and lived there for a while…
Applying from East Coast.
Heads up: UC only accepts the Math 2 test.
@DigitalVeer Subject Tests are not required unless you are doing admission by examination. That list is the STRONGLY RECOMMENDED list of tests for some schools. Not required. Some kids get in just fine without the tests. Have you even opened the UC app yet? They don’t let you input the Math 1 test.
@michelle426 Thanks for the information! And no, I have not gotten to the part where you put in the tests yet. Thanks for the assistance though!
@DigitalVeer No problem, if you need more help, feel free to PM me.
Believe it or not, your SAT (though very good) is below average for the top UCs. Also, for out of state, that 3.4 GPA requirement is a pretty hard line.
Admission by exception is (as the name implies) pretty rare - especially for OOS It is generally for applicants that have demonstrated excellence/leadership in other way. An Olympic medal, founding a company that makes millions, being elected your town’s mayor at the age of 18, writing and selling a book about escaping a torturous African dictator as a teenager, daughter of the US Ambassador to Luxembourg, that kind of thing. If you have done something like that, be sure it hits them in the face as they glance at your ap.
A 2400 SAT and a slew of perfect subject tests might do it too.
I not telling you not to apply. We can all dream. Just have a viable backup plan. If you want to come to CA, look into privates like USD and LMU which are likely to admit you and will probably offer some incentive to attend.
Good luck.