Hi, I am trying to get into the UCI class of 2022 for business and film. Instate, California resident.
UC GPA: 4.0
ACT: 28
ACT essay: 9/12
AP scores: 5 -AP capstone Seminar, 4 -AP US His
Current AP classes: AP Calc, AP Micro economics, AP capstone research
Stuff I do or have done: student council member (1 of 6), varsity basketball, class President, cross country school record holder, AP capstone diploma holder
Me: I am a Korean American who’s relatives had to escape from north Korea during the war (I talk about this in my essay.
I am a TCK, I was also born and raised overseas in the Philippines where i attened international schools.
What are my chances?
While your GPA is obviously solid, your ACT is in the lower quartile, and your extra-ciriculars and AP’s are a little light. Also, while I certainly commend your relatives for their bravery, application readers prefer to hear about you rather than the lives of those around you. Unless you really emphasized (i.e. ~75% of the essay) how you have taken this experience and how it has shaped you or your outlook then it may work against you. UC’s are really tough to predict though and you are certainly not unqualified; good luck!
Thanks @BingBong284
What about me living abroad, which took up a majority of the free response essay. Do you think that will play a large role in it?
I would think so; the readers are trying to get a feel of who you are through your essays. Any personal insight will help them get a clearer picture. Writing about your experiences about living abroad will likely give readers the sense of your worldliness and cultural awareness. So, assuming you wrote about what you gained from living abroad rather than just summarizing it, then I would say yes.
Thanks, a little boost of confidence. Are you in UCI? If you don’t mind me asking. @BingBong284
No, I was accepted to UCI last year, but I am currently attending UC Berkeley. However, UCI was in my top three when making my final decisions.
Can I know your stats that helped you get in? @BingBong284
Sure:
3.9/4.3
SAT: 2150
APs (10)- World History (4), Environmental Sciences (4), English Language (5), United States History (5), English Literature (5), Spanish Language and Culture (4), Calculus AB (4), Psychology (5), United States Government (5), and Microeconomics (4)
Extra-circulars:
UCSD research intern: Preformed research in the history department and gave a presentation to a panel of professors about my findings
Tri-City Medical Center Laboratory Assistant: Spent 4 years (350+ hours) volunteering in a hospital laboratory assisting in the analysis of blood, phlegm, and other fun bodily excretions.
President of Leo’s Club: Community service group that assisted veterans and blind people. Served as president for one year and treasurer the year before that.
Awards:
Numerous speech and debate awards including #3 speaker at Cal State Long Beach, #13 speaker at Arizona State University, and Quarterfinalist at Cal State Fullerton.
National AP Scholar: Received an average score of at least 4 on all AP Exams taken, and scores of 4 or higher on eight or more of these exams
BTW, I’m also CA Asian.
Wow, helps impressive. No wonder UC Berkeley. Where in Asia do you originate?
Japan and Taiwan. Believe me, I was not expecting to get in; I was rejected by UCLA.
Wow no way, that’s absurd that you didn’t get into ucla, with a resume like that
It’s getting tougher and tougher to get in anywhere. It’s mostly luck to get into anywhere in the top 25.