What are my chances?

Chance Me / Match Me!
1

Hi! I’m currently a junior and I was wondering if someone could chance me? I would really love to go to UCLA, UC Berkley, or UCSD. I’m certainly not aiming for the ivies or Stanford, although I might apply just for the experience. I’m most likely going to apply early for Notre Dame, because I would love to go there as well. A lot of other colleges are on my list, like Boston College, NYU, Carnegie Mellon (I have legacy there) and if I do get into any Ivies I’d most probably attend, but I don’t expect to get in. I’m also in California, so in state for UCs. Thank you!

Stats:
GPA: W: 4.46 currently, if I get all As this semester it will be a 4.52 UW: 4.0
UC GPA capped and weighted: 4.30 if I get all As
ACT: 32, took it twice, got 32 twice (without studying, I rushed into it because everyone else was taking it which was very stupid of me), taking it again soon, probably in June
Going to take Math 2 and Chemistry subject tests
Class Rank: my school doesn’t do class rank, but I’m definitely in the top 10%

Freshman Year
First Semester:
Speech H- A
Spanish 2- A
Biology- A
Catholic Faith 9- A (I go to a catholic school)
English 1- A
Integrated 2- A
Drama- A

Second Semester:
Speech 2 and Debate- A
Spanish 2- A
Biology- A
Catholic Faith 9- A
English 1- A
Integrated 2- A
Drama- A

Sophomore Year
Summer School:
Algebra 2/Trig H- A

First Semester:
AP World- A
Spanish 3- A
Counseling Aide- P
Pre-Calc H- A
Chem H- A
English 2 H- A
Catch Faith 10- A

Second Semester
Same classes and results, except counseling aide was switched to creative writing, and I got an A

Junior Year
First Semester:
AP Chem- A
AP Spanish- A
AP Language- A
AP Calc BC- A
Catholic Innovations- A
Dual Enrollment US History- A
Counseling Aide- P

Second Semester: still in progress
Also taking courses at local community colleges
Political Science- A
Philosophy- A
Anthropology- in progress

Next Years Classes
AP Bio
AP Stats
AP Government
Dual Enrollment Psych
Dual Enrollment English
Physics (regular)
Innovations 2

Extracurriculars:
-Vice President of Spanish Honor Society
-Founder/President of National Math Honor Society at my school (officially starting next year but already talked to principal, got it confirmed, etc)
-Taking over Future Physicians Club with my friend next year (President)
-Interning with ophthalmologist (my intended career)
-Volunteered at various places, mainly my moms work, worked 200+ hours there, also went to soup kitchens, schools, and nursing homes, tutor kids at my school (not thru any organization, just because I love helping others)
-Piano for 10 years, completing level 10 in CM now (highest level)
-Published for poetry in competitions, as well as in school magazine
-Played Varsity golf for 2 years, played in tournaments and won/placed
-Also played varsity badminton freshman year, but not doing that anymore
-Part of speech and debate team, won a tournament for OO
-Nominated for GLC (top 5% get nominated)
-Part of English Honor Society, CSF, NSHS
-Received recognition at my school (honor roll, about top 50%) and another award (about top 23% receive)

2

@himtuomd: Welcome to College Confidential as a first time poster.

You are on track to be a competitive applicant but I agree that your ACT Math score is on the low side and retaking the ACT will help. The 25% percentile for ACT Math at UCLA/UCSD was 27. Also UCSD recommends for Chem/Bio majors, a Math 2 and Science SAT subject test so this is another way to show your competency in these subjects. UCLA does not have any recommendations for these majors but good scores could only strengthen your application.

Some UC statistical data and remember to apply widely to the UC system.

2018 UC capped weighted GPA averages:
UCB: 4.23
UCLA: 4.23
UCSD: 4.16
UCSB: 4.13
UCI: 4.13
UCD: 4.11
UCSC: 3.96
UCR: 3.81
UCM: 3.71

25th - 75th percentiles for ACT:
UCB: 30-35
UCLA: 31-35
UCSD: 28-34
UCSB: 28-34
UCD: 26-33
UCI: 26-33
UCSC: 26-32
UCR: 22-30
UCM: 19-26

* LOS ANGELES

  • Very important: Academic GPA, Application essay, Rigor of secondary school record, Standardized test scores
  • Important: Character/personal qualities, Extracurricular activities, Talent/ability, Volunteer work, Work experience
  • Considered: First generation college student, Geographical residence, AP/IBHL exam scores
  • Note: GPA, test scores, course work, number of and performance in honors and AP courses most important. Essay considered. Strong senior program important. Extracurricular activities, honors and awards also reviewed. For the College of Letters and Science, the applicant's major is not considered during the review process. The Henry Samueli School of Engineering and Applied Science admits students by declared major, with more emphasis on science and math programs. The School of Nursing also places more emphasis on science and math programs and requires the submission of an additional supplemental application. The School of the Arts and Architecture; Herb Alpert School of Music; and the School of Theater, Film and Television admit students by declared major (within the school), and put more emphasis on special talents through a review of portfolios and/or auditions, which are the most significant admission factors for these schools.
  • SAN DIEGO
  •   Very important: Academic GPA, Application essay, Rigor of secondary school record, Standardized test scores

  •   Important: Character/personal qualities, Extracurricular activities, First generation college student, State residency, Talent/ability, Volunteer work, Work experience

  •   Note: High school course pattern, GPA, essay and test scores most important. Admission for out-of-state applicants more selective than for residents.

    The campus does not admit students on the basis of academic major or choice of UC San Diego undergraduate college. Alternate majors are considered. Also note: Capped majors require additional pre-req courses and specific GPA to be able to qualify if changing majors.

3

you are a solid candidate for all of the UCs.

4

Thank you so much! All the information you provided is really helpful, especially the SAT subject tests. I’ll probably take Math 2 and Chemistry. Thank you for the help!

5

Dang, nice job! With the current ACT score, I’m not sure what your chances would be. Your grades are very good, which is the most important thing for UCs… but in chancing you, I’m going to assume you’ll get around 34 on the ACT in June.

Your resume is pretty solid… I’d say you’ll get into UCSD or UCSB, as well as NYU and Boston. Cal and UCLA are pretty hard to judge though.

Honestly, your ECs do seem to be a little over the place. Is your award in OO from a league tournament, or state/national? And no offense, but everyone does CM, lol.

You’re pretty set for college though! Work hard on crafting your essays and raising your ACT score, and you’ll be fine! Good luck.

6

Hello! I am new to this community, but I’ve read a lot of posts from here about colleges and admissions. I am currently a junior in high school (second semester) and my dream schools are UCSD and UCLA. I’m a little worried, because I think my stats are a little low. I have a 4.46 W and 4.0 UW, with a 4.3 UC GPA (given that I get all As this semester). I took the ACT and got a 32 (E36, M27, R32, S31). I am thinking of majoring in chemistry or biology, but I’m afraid because I read that if you apply for a competitive major or a STEM major, colleges will strongly consider your subscores, especially in math and science, and my scores are a little low. I’m not sure if this is true, as various sources say different things. I am taking the ACT again, but I’m not sure how it will go, better or worse. I know that scores and GPA are not all that are considered in the admissions process, but I am wondering if these stats will at least get me to a competitive point, and if subscores are more important than composite score? Thank you!

7

Hi! I’m currently a junior and I was wondering if someone could chance me? I would really love to go to UCLA, UC Berkley, or UCSD. I’m certainly not aiming for the ivies or Stanford, although I might apply just for the experience. I’m most likely going to apply early for Notre Dame, because I would love to go there as well. A lot of other colleges are on my list, like Boston College, NYU, Carnegie Mellon (I have legacy there) and if I do get into any Ivies I’d most probably attend, but I don’t expect to get in. I’m also in California, so in state for UCs. Thank you!

Stats:
GPA: W: 4.46 currently, if I get all As this semester it will be a 4.52 UW: 4.0
UC GPA capped and weighted: 4.30 if I get all As
ACT: 32, took it twice, got 32 twice (without studying, I rushed into it because everyone else was taking it which was very stupid of me), taking it again soon, probably in June
Going to take Math 2 and Chemistry subject tests
Class Rank: my school doesn’t do class rank, but I’m definitely in the top 10%

Freshman Year
First Semester:
Speech H- A
Spanish 2- A
Biology- A
Catholic Faith 9- A (I go to a catholic school)
English 1- A
Integrated 2- A
Drama- A

Second Semester:
Speech 2 and Debate- A
Spanish 2- A
Biology- A
Catholic Faith 9- A
English 1- A
Integrated 2- A
Drama- A

Sophomore Year
Summer School:
Algebra 2/Trig H- A

First Semester:
AP World- A
Spanish 3- A
Counseling Aide- P
Pre-Calc H- A
Chem H- A
English 2 H- A
Catch Faith 10- A

Second Semester
Same classes and results, except counseling aide was switched to creative writing, and I got an A

Junior Year
First Semester:
AP Chem- A
AP Spanish- A
AP Language- A
AP Calc BC- A
Catholic Innovations- A
Dual Enrollment US History- A
Counseling Aide- P

Second Semester: still in progress
Also taking courses at local community colleges
Political Science- A
Philosophy- A
Anthropology- in progress

Next Years Classes
AP Bio
AP Stats
AP Government
Dual Enrollment Psych
Dual Enrollment English
Physics (regular)
Innovations 2

Extracurriculars:
-Vice President of Spanish Honor Society
-Founder/President of National Math Honor Society at my school (officially starting next year but already talked to principal, got it confirmed, etc)
-Taking over Future Physicians Club with my friend next year (President)
-Interning with ophthalmologist (my intended career)
-Volunteered at various places, mainly my moms work, worked 200+ hours there, also went to soup kitchens, schools, and nursing homes, tutor kids at my school (not thru any organization, just because I love helping others)
-Piano for 10 years, completing level 10 in CM now (highest level)
-Published for poetry in competitions, as well as in school magazine
-Played Varsity golf for 2 years, played in tournaments and won/placed
-Also played varsity badminton freshman year, but not doing that anymore
-Part of speech and debate team, won a tournament for OO
-Nominated for GLC (top 5% get nominated)
-Part of English Honor Society, CSF, NSHS
-Received recognition at my school (honor roll, about top 50%) and another award (about top 23% receive)