What are my chances for getting into the UCs?

Chance Me / Match Me!
1

<p>The order of UC preference would be
UCI
UCB
UCLA
UCSD
UCSB and disregard the others</p>

<p>I'm pursuing a computer science major
Weighted A-G: 4.36
Non-weighted: 4.0
SAT: 1960 (taking again in December to get more than 2100)
I've gotten As ever since freshmen year, 2 honor classes sophomore year, 2 honors (weighted) and 2 APs junior year (APUSH, AP Comp, 5 on APUSH exam 3 on AP Comp)
I'm currently in my senior year and i'm taking
AP calc AB
AP Comp Sci
AP Physics
AP Lit
AP Gov
Spanish 4 (took 4 years of spanish)
digital animation</p>

<p>Now that's out of the way here comes the major problems, i have almost no school or EC activities, I came from China about 5 years ago, i'm a naturally shy person and my mother barely spoke English, and neither did I, by the time i got accustomed to everything around me everything was too late, i had absolutely no idea about what "volunteering", "community service", or "clubs" are until later in my junior year, i could have joined a sport but i didn't understand the significance of doing so, plus i'm way too uncoordinated and weak for sports. I joined two clubs this year but they are relatively unimportant, I just started volunteering a week ago and i only have 12 hours so far (at a nursing home). Another major problem is that i didn't take the SAT II, i didn't find out about those until this June, and then i found out UCs don't require them anymore so i was relieved, but then i did more research and it was apparently required if i wanted to get into a engineering school, but now it's too late because i have to retake the SAT this December, do i have absolutely no chance of getting into a engineering school without SAT IIs? And these problems are the reason why i'm aiming for UCI because it's not as hardcore as UCLA or UCB, and it's rather a quiet place, perfect for a person like me</p>

<p>other stuff: i speak spanish chinese and english. I played guitar for 2 years, I've been taking care of my stepsisters for 3 years, i picked up phone calls at my mother's work for 2 years, these things probably are irreverent and won't help, but they are just padding</p>

<p>now the UC application deadline is breathing down my neck i realize really how late it is now to take action, most of it is my fault, but i would just like to know if i even have any chances, i'm really stressed about this</p>

2

<p>I’m definitely not the person to listen to for advice on chances of getting into a UC (I’m applying to some of them as well) but your best bet would be to explain everything you just told us in your application essay.</p>

3

<p>Ok first of all
Your grades are really good
And moving to America is a huge transition and I would advise discussing that in an essay because its important "the world you come from"As for your major… The big ones on CS are UCSD UCLA and UCB
First off: UCB has CS in the college of L&S not just engineering College of engineering. UCLA I believe is the same but I’m not quite sure. And UCSD doesn’t care about major really unless its impacted which CS is so u can always apply under something relatively easier or undecided and switch. All programs for Computer science Letters and
science would be the same as computer science in engineering ( at least i know for sure in berkelyes computor science programs thats the case.) I would definately apply to that one because you can go undecided which may be easier to get into but any major in L&S is easier to get into. But CS in L&S is the same as CS in CoE other than it being a BA not BS degree which is relatively the same and makes no difference especially when it’s from a school like CAL. If u applied to L&S CS at berkely you have very strong chances. i think you have a great shot at all UCs. the subject test thing may be a problem but your GPA and SAT are definately good enough for all UCs up till UCSD. LA and Berkeley are the ones that may be more chancy in admissions. good luck at COmputor Science</p>

4

<p><em>bump</em>
Thanks for the answers guys, but i would like more</p>

5

<p>Write some good essays, not as an excuse, but to show how you’ve matured without so many ECs, and you should be fine. The good thing about UCs is that they will admit some students without looking at ECs. Your grades ensure that you will get into one UC at least. </p>

<p>Why UCI is your first choice is mysterious. That is a safety for you.
UCLA and UCB are low reaches. I would actually be a little surprised if you didn’t get into one of them at least. UCSB and UCSD are matches.</p>

6

<p>Bump
UC applications are due in 6 days, i really need more answers</p>

7

<p>I think you have very good chance at uci ucsd ucsb because of your gpa but maybe 50% at UCB and UCLA :wink:
I just submitted my application and I am almost in the same situation as you are
Very few EC:( cuz I just came from china 3 years ago</p>

8

<p>Thanks for the answers, i think my essays are alright. I really don’t think i can get in UCB or UCLA, but i applied to 7 UCs so i should at least get in one of them</p>