What are my chances of being accepted to decent schools (will post schools i'd like to go as well)

Chance Me / Match Me!
1

Currently a junior in IB and i probably will have a 3.5+ gpa both semesters. I did ok freshman year but completely bombed my sophomore year. I’d like to know what my chances would be getting into schools for engineering. (Dream schools would probably be UCB/UCSB/UCLA/USC)

Freshman year:
1st semester: 2.8
2nd semester: 3.5

freshman year i took honors: world civ, alg2, conceptual physics, english 9

Sophomore year:
1st semester: 3.1
2nd semester: 2.5

Sophomore year i took honors: chemistry, PreCal, English 10, US History,

I had a C in both Chemistry and PreCal and I’m thinking of taking those classes again at a local community college and see if i could replace those grades with the ones i get at the community college (however I do not know if that works).

Junior year (IB)
IB MathStud SL, IB HistoryAmericas HL I, IB English A1HL 1, IB Biology HL 1, IB Tok, and French 3

Right now I have As and Bs in those classes and I’m pretty sure I’ll be able to get a 4.0 this semester and MAYBE next semester I don’t know what the future holds but I plan on taking these classes extremely serious.

I don’t know what my schedule will look like for Senior year (i plan on taking Physics and Math SL if I can). I don’t know of colleges look at senior year.

I am pretty nervous because I’m coming to a sudden realization that I screwed up and have no clue what my chances are. I plan on going IB diploma (no clue if colleges consider that special as well).

Overall I just need advice on how I should proceed this year, such as,
Should i try for higher gpa? Focus on test scores? etc.

2

your GPA hurts your chances at UCB and UCLA a lot. UC’s only count sophomore and junior year, so your C’s in sophomore year will look bad… For engineering, I would say it’s almost impossible for you to get into Berkeley, unless you manage to get a super high SAT/ACT score, and your personal statements are amazing.
If you can, explain why your sophomore grades are bad in your personal statement

It also definitely depends on your test scores, and your grades for the rest of the school year, so yes, try for higher gpa and focus on test scores. Almost all private schools look at all 4 years too

Good luck!

3

I’m not sure you’d even be considered at UCB or UCLA unless you’re in-state. IIRC, they require a minimum GPA of 3.4 for nonresident applicants.

4

If you are OOS, then the UC’s are out for consideration.
Engineering is impacted at all of the campuses, your GPA has to be higher than average, not lower.

5

Your GPA shows that you would not be able to handle the workload at the schools you listed.

6

Agree with ^^ above posters. Chances at UC’s are slim with current grades. As stated in post #2, in-state UC GPA needed is 3.0 or OOS GPA 3.4 just to apply. If Engineering is your intended major, UC Merced may be your only chance if at all. You need to find schools that you are at or above the average in GPA and test scores to have a good chance at acceptance. Work hard this year and repost when you have you final grades/test scores for some good college suggestions.

Good Luck.