what are my chances?

Chance Me / Match Me!
1

<p>White, Male, Los Angeles, rising senior
My story: Parents divorced, mom came out as gay, sister ran away from home, grandpa died (large portion of income gone), grandma slowly died of lung cancer, other grandma had a stroke, cousin died of lymphoma. my mom makes roughly 100k annually but she has to support two households, hers and my aunts (i live with my aunt) its kind of a complex situation right now, but the point is we're short on cash because she has to support two car payments, two apartments rent, two sets of bills, groceries... you get the point.</p>

<p>GPA is weak.. weighted 3.4
ACT 30</p>

<p>My extracurriculars are alright though though:</p>

<p>Volunteer -
400 hours from LAUSD All City Honor Marching Band
60 hours from SPHS Marching Band
40 Hours from AFJROTC
I also did a forest preservation project in the black forest in Germany, but thats not a whole lot of hours</p>

<p>Leadership -
Trombone Section Leader in SPHS Marching Band
Founder / President of Philosophy Club
Vice President of Physics Club
I also plan on opening a chapter of Amnesty International at my school this year</p>

<p>General -
Marching/ Concert Band - 4+ years
Jazz Band - 2 Years
LAUSD Honor Marching Band - 3 Years
-good shot at anchor position (front rank of the band)
People to People Student Ambassador trip to western europe - 1 summer
USC California Youth Think Tank - 1 summer
-Our team won the final debate, if that matters
California YMCA Y&G Model Legislature / Court
-co authored/sponsored/passed a controversial bill
-worked as a lobbyist
-plan on working in the national issues commission this year
Rifleman on AFJROTC Color Guard
-I got a bunch of ribbons for leadership and things throughout the year, if that matter much.
Mabuhay Culture Club
Armed Forces Club
Art Club</p>

<p>there might be more, but im having a hard time remembering.</p>

<p>Anyway my senior schedule
ap chem
ap bio
ap gov
ap lit
band
possibly stats. </p>

<p>I want to major in either political science or philosophy.</p>

<p>Im applying at basically the entire UC system except for riverside and merced.
or should I apply elsewhere? where can I get in?</p>

2

<p>I’m not very familiar with the UC system, but you seem to be a really unique candidate with an interesting story! You have some strong ECs and a respectable ACT score, but try to bring up that GPA this year as much as you can. In your essays, try to reflect why you’re unique (because you really are) and I think you’ll stand a good shot at any of the UCs. If money is an issue, then you’re on the right track by looking at instate schools. Good luck!</p>

3

<p>I actually think that your only chances might be Riverside and Merced, since UCs are mostly number driven. And your situations are bad but not dire.</p>

4

<p>Thanks :slight_smile:
Also, what constitutes dire? I have family members dying left and right, I also forgot to include that my mom is struggling with an autoimmune disease (scleroderma).
It’s pretty dire for me, its hella depressing.</p>

5

<p>You seem like a mature, well-rounded candidate. While you might not have a 4.0, you demonstrate motivation with your course rigor. Unfortunately I don’t know much about the UC system, how many would you be applying to overall? You could always add a LAC that’s good with aid. Luck!</p>

6

<p>Your story can explai the GPA (condolences btw). Also, your ACT is pretty good. What’s your class rank/percentile? I can definitely see UC Davis, UCSB, UCSC as all possibilities. Cal UCLA and USC will be real tough though.</p>

<p>However, given your financial situation, do you REALLY want to take out loans and risk not getting enough money for school? The UCs are having a financial crisis of their own right now and they may not give much aid. I agree to try for maybe some LACs of the same caliber but that are known for aid.</p>

7

<p>Thanks! I’ll look into some LACs
I’m applying to maybe 10 universities
Cal, UCLA, UCSB, UCSC, UC Davis, UCSD, USC, and now, maybe some liberal arts colleges :slight_smile:
I just might apply to a couple of good east coast schools just for the hell of it, maybe I’ll get in with a great essay.</p>

<p>And on loans, I think I will just sacrifice/ take the risk. Getting into the UC system has always been my ultimate goal, for as long as I can remember. But I will look into some LACs just in case, sure - especially since you guys are really recommending it. which ones do you guys recommend?</p>