hello! I’m a Hispanic/white female looking in going into the engineering field.
So I have an ACT score of 30 w/ writing as a 9. I have an unweighted gpa of 3.998 (lmao) and a weighted 4.08
I have taken APUSH (got a 3) and also am currently taking Honors College English and Honors Anatomy and Physiology.
extracurriculars: 4 year engineering program, band for eight years, lego robotics leader for five years, conducted a wind ensemble for three years, Student Association Tech Coordinator senior year, Campus Ministry Director senior year, engineering booth (program already listed) leader, NHS member, and a couple others.
I’m honestly trying to get into UCSD as my first choice, others include USC, all UC schools, University of Washington, San Diego State, what are my chances on getting into these colleges?
UC GPA’s: Unweighted, Capped weighted and Fully weighted?
https://rogerhub.com/gpa-calculator-uc/
Intended major?
AP/IB or DE courses?
SAT subject tests?
ACT subscores?
I’m planning on going into engineering. SAT subject tests, I’m taking three : Biology, Math Level 2 and Physics this upcoming November date, and for AP I’ve only taken APUSH and got a three, as my school only offers that. My ACT sub scores were English 34, Math 29, Reading 25, and Science 30.
Being a female Hispanic for Engineering will not help with the SDSU nor the UC’s for admission purposes.
Your ACT composite along with your Math subscore of 29 are on the low side for a UCSD Engineering applicant. Getting a 750+ on the Math 2 Subject test might offset the lower ACT subscore.
Your HS course rigor will be evaluated based on what is offered at your HS so a lack of AP’s will not hurt your chances.
Some UC statistical data below. Expect Engineering majors will have lower admit rates and higher stats to be competitive.
SDSU looks like a Match option along with UC Merced, UC Riverside and UC Santa Cruz.
Some compelling essays along with your EC’s could tip the scales at some of the Mid-tier UC’s especially UC Davis.
USC and UCSD are currently Low Reach- Reach schools.
USC Freshman profile puts your ACT score at or below the 25th percentile although your GPA is on target.
http://admission.usc.edu/wp-content/uploads/Freshman-Profile-2019.pdf
2018 Freshman admit rates for UC GPA of 3.80-4.19 capped weighted and not major specific:
UCB: 10%
UCLA: 9%
UCSD: 34%
UCSB: 38%
UCD: 41%
UCI: 38%
UCSC: 70%
UCR: 84%
UCM: 95%
2019 UC capped weighted GPA averages:
UCB: 4.23
UCLA: 4.25
UCSD: 4.23
UCSB: 4.16
UCI: 4.13
UCD: 4.13
UCSC: 3.96
UCR: 3.90
UCM: 3.73
25th - 75th percentiles for ACT composite + language arts
UCB: 28-35
UCLA: 29-35
UCSD: 26-34
UCSB: 26-34
UCD: 24-33
UCI: 24-34
UCSC: 24-32
UCR: 21-30
UCM: 18-26
I would add another Cal state (your local CSU) as a Safety school.
Best of luck and apply widely.
Do you think getting a higher score on the ACT would be better than having an okay math level two score? Like would an ACT score of 33 increase my chances more?
UC’s tend to be more GPA focused while USC tends to be more test focused.
Yes, increasing your ACT score especially the Math section as a prospective Engineering applicant can help your chances but Math 2 subject test is recommended for Engineering applicants at the majority of the UC’s so in reality it really is required unless you have any financial issues and cannot pay the costs. I would try to retake the ACT and also take the Math 2 subject test.
You have solid EC’s and if you have some outstanding essays, they could also bump up your chances.
There is no one on College Confidential that can predict your chances so I am basing it on the statistical data available. Definitely apply, find a Safety school and present the best possible application possible, since you never know.
Would it be bad if I gave them a lower score on the Math Level 2? Like if I get an average score, would it be better to not submit it at all?
Wait and see what you end up getting. Since Math 2 has a tough curve, aim for at least a 700 or higher and if lower then do not submit.
Aim for a 760 or higher on SAT Math 2.