My UW GPA is a 3.7~ and W GPA should be over 4.0 since I got all As on 3 AP and 1 H course in my junior year. My SAT is 1530 and I’m planning to retake for a 1550+. SAT Math 2 800. I’m considering all the UCs as matches for me except for LA and Berkley which are probably reaches. However, my ECs are quite weak and I’m working on my essays to compensate. Are my considerations accurate or am I being too optimistic?
Unweighted GPA of 3.7 usually means a UC-recalculated weighted-capped GPA around 4.0. Try the calculator at https://rogerhub.com/gpa-calculator-uc/ .
Overall 2017 admit rates for UCs by UC-recalculated weighted-capped GPA:
Campus 4.20- 3.80- 3.40- 3.00-
higher 4.19 3.79 3.39
UCB 43% 13% 2% 1%
UCLA 47% 12% 2% 1%
UCSD 84% 39% 7% 1%
UCSB 82% 45% 10% 1%
UCI 94% 52% 11% 3%
UCD 90% 56% 17% 4%
UCSC 93% 76% 44% 14%
UCR 98% 90% 63% 23%
UCM 98% 96% 89% 57%
Because CS is a more competitive major at most campuses, do not be overconfident. In particular, if your UC-recalculated weighted-capped GPA is around 4.0, UCSD, UCSB, UCI, and UCD are probably high match to low reach generally, but may be low reach to reach for CS.
I agree with @ucbalumnus that you are being a little too optimistic about the UC’s especially if you plan to pursue CS as a major. Although your GPA looks within range and your SAT score is excellent, UC’s are very GPA focused and will expect a higher than average UC GPA to be competitive for CS.
Your application will be reviewed overall with GPA/Test scores/HS course rigor/Essays and EC’s as all part of the package. Definitely apply to all UC’s of interest but make sure you have at least 1-2 safety schools on your list.
Just and FYI but only 3 UC’s have Business schools: UCR/UCI and UCB. Look at some of the Cal states if you are interested in pursuing both majors (SDSU/Cal Poly/CSU Fullerton/SJSU) or consider Santa Clara University.
If you can afford a private school and are prepared to go out of state, Lehigh has a four-year, dual-accredited “Computer Science & Business” program (ABET-accredited for CS, AACSB-accredited for business). Lehigh seems to be positioning itself as a UC alternative; they are actively recruiting students from California from a regional office in the Bay Area.
http://www.cse.lehigh.edu/academics/undergraduate-computer-science/bs-in-computer-science-and-business
https://westcoast.lehigh.edu
Santa Clara is another private school that is strong in both CS and business. I don’t think they have a dual-degree CS/business program (this is rare), but you could probably do a major/minor combination.
Both of these private schools would likely be significantly more expensive than the in-state cost for a UC, so they may or may not be realistic options, depending on your financial situation.
While I’m not a big fan of the campus, San Francisco State has a good rep for both CS and business.
To clarify, UCB, UCI, and UCR are the only UCs with business schools that offer a “business” program to undergraduates.
Other UCs, like UCLA, UCD, and UCSD, also have business schools, but they are graduate-only. At those campuses, undergraduates can study “economics” (often including “business economics”) in the College of Letters & Sciences.
The remaining UCs, which are UCSB, UCSC, and UCM, don’t have business schools, but undergraduates can still study “economics” in the College of Letters & Sciences.