<p>Hi I'm really stressing out about collges and stuff because I'm not sure I could get into my dream school (UCLA, figures) and I feel as though all other UC's have big enough cons that make me not want to go there. My gpa is poor, only a 3.83 weighted and a 3.55 unweighted. I've taken 5 AP courses and plan on taking 4 more senior year (this upcoming year). My SAT sucked horribly so I plan on retaking it, hoping to get at least a 1900. I'm not involved in any sports but I am involved in 8 clubs, president of one and vice president of another. I am also mascot of our school. I'm graduating with honors and am ranked in the top 10% of my class (but barely). I volunteer regularly and have well over 100 hours. I'm hoping to major in neurosciene or genetics although my math and science grades are almost always Bs. I have 3 Cs on my transcript 2 are from AP Chemistry (2 semesters=2 grades) and another on is from math. I just want to know what my chances are at UCLA or what I can do to make myself look better to the admissions deans. Thank you do much</p>
<p>What’s your current SAT score, and what’s the breakdown? And is that GPA your UC GPA? Keep in mind that the UCs only consider sophomore and junior grades for GPA calculation (with an extra point for each semester of a UC-approved honors class, for up to 8 semesters), so calculate accordingly if you haven’t already.</p>
<p>For UCLA, even if you get a 1900 it’s still definitely a reach for you based on the stats you’ve posted. It doesn’t hurt to try, but I would have some other UCs and some CSUs on your list. Just wondering, what about UCLA makes it your dream school? What are the cons of the other UCs to you? Or, more generally, what are you looking for in a school and what are you hoping to avoid?</p>
<p>As far as looking better for admissions, at this point you can attempt to raise your standardized test scores and make sure to write amazing essays. Study hard for your SAT retake. Try the ACT if you haven’t already, and see if you do any better compared to the SAT.</p>
<p>Yes that is my UC gpa. My SAT score is only 1560 (520 for all categories) so I definitely need to work on it! What I like about UCLA the most is its location and prestige and it has the majors I’m interested in. My sister goes to Cal so I feel the pressure to get into a good college. UCI is also another choice of mine but I don’t like that it’s all Asian (I’d like some diversity) and that it seems pretty suburbian. UCD could also be a possibility but I’m a city girl! I don’t know if I could survive in farm country (I visited the campus). I’m getting into UCSC a little more but it feels a bit too far north for me. UCSD is my safety school because I’m confident I could get in but I already live in San Diego and I would like to leave when going to college. I’m not opposed to CSU schools but they lack the prestige I would prefer. Maybe Pepperdine as well although they do not offer my major 
I’d really like to stay in Southern California. </p>
<p>Sorry to say, but with your UC GPA and low SAT score, UCSD is not a safety. SDSU maybe. Regarding prestige in a college, are you going to college so you can brag about their prestige or are you going to learn??? You can get a great education anywhere. You get out what you put in. Unless you get a higher SAT score, many of the UC’s will be out of reach. GPA is weighed more than test scores for most of the UC’s and with the average UC GPA of 4.0 for all the schools except UCSC/UCR/UCM, the rest of the UC’s would be reaches. You need to study hard to improve that score or try the ACT. You also need to be reevaluate your college list and look at some realistic possibilities. Pepperdine might be a good choice also LMU, Chapman, Occidental could be good options. It will depend upon what your parents can afford. As far as CSU’s, Cal Poly Pomona, Long Beach and SDSU are good schools but may not have your major.</p>
<p>Agree with Gumbymom. If you are already in San Diego, you know how high your SAT and GPA need to be when compared to all of our North County kids who have outrageously perfect scores. My daughter (from San Diego) attends Davis (a true college town) and loves it but I think Davis would not be a safety school for you. Try to get your SAT’s up.<br>
UCLA is a great school (son was admitted with a 2370 SAT), but if your SAT is low, you wont get in. CSU’s are very good schools. SDSU is very competitive and with your current scores, you wont get in. Quit trying to play “catch-up” with your sister. Lose the attitude about having to compete for prestige. Apply to schools that are reachable for you. </p>
<p>Realistically, you aren’t getting to into UCLA. Even if you did manage a better score test score, the gpa (which is a major component) is low. I’m not sure if your major is competitive, but stem majors in general are very competitive which doesn’t help you at all. At best, UCLA is a large reach …</p>
<p>As for diversity, at UCLA, I really couldn’t attest to that. It’s more of a duality of individuals of European and Asian descent. Better than UCI by far, but not true diversity. </p>
<p>Also its interesting that UCSD doesn’t bug you since nearly half of the undergraduates are Asian. Not judging you of course, just making an observation. </p>
<p>Gumbymom and Aunt Bea already made the other points I was going to make, however I will add this.</p>
<p>Good news for you. Neuroscience and genetics have bad job prospects after the BA/BS level so you will most likely need a masters or phd if you want to do something with it. This is where prestige and resources come in. At the undergrad level, many programs are very similar so prestige means very little (you’ll find this out for yourself). </p>
<p>Alternatively you could do the cc route and transfer to ucla. </p>
<p>Your SAT and GPA mean that UCSD is not your safety. It’s not even a match; it’s a reach. You’re a solid B student, a very good student (only on College Confidential is a 3.55 unweighted a “poor” GPA, geez), and there are many good CSUs as well as private schools that would be a match for you. </p>