<p>I'm a California student looking to go to a respectable UC school(UCSD, UCB, UCLA) but my EC's are very lacking in volume. Is it realistic to think I will get in? Also, what other schools could I apply to with what I have.</p>
<p>GPA: UW 3.9/ W 4.3</p>
<p>Rank: 5 of 630</p>
<p>APs:
-4 on Bio
-4 on World
-This year I took LangComp, US, and Art History.
-Next year I'm taking Econ, Gov't, Physics, Stats, Calc AB, and EngLit.</p>
<p>Tests:
-SAT Reasoning: 660 CR 660 M 750 W--2070(I'm not going to use this one)
-ACT: 32 Composite- (34 E) (27 M) (32 S) (33 R) (32 W/E)
-SAT Subjects: 750 US/ 740 Lit
-PSAT: 200</p>
<p>ECs:
-Volunteering at community elementary school almost every day.
-US House of Representatives Page.
-Humanities Club.
-Some Nebraska award for outstanding performance in English.</p>
<p>And... I think thats it, sadly. No school sports, student government,or studying bioscience with Dr. Gupta for six months.
So... what could I do about this? What different things can I do in my last year?</p>
<p>In your last year? Nothing. Don't do things for the app.</p>
<p>I don't see anything lacking. I mean, volunteering everyday is a big commitment. I certainly don't think I could do it. The quality of your ECs matter, not the quantity. Depending on how involved you have been with the stuff above, you may or may not be fine. Maybe just get more involved with the ECs you already have.</p>
<p>Thanks for your input. Why do you say to not do anything in my senior year? I get worried when I see a whole page filled with EC's and such, but I was hoping the formula-based applications process of some UC's would negate the need for all that...</p>
<p>yes don't do too many new EC's now because colleges know all too well that resume stacking is rampant among top college applicants and will pick up on it right away</p>
<p>I think your experience as U.S. House page is impressive and unique (esp. from California), maybe you should try to write your college essay on your experience as a page (if you were really passionate about that particular activity). Besides your rank/gpa isn't that bad for top UCs. According to UCLA's freshmen profile and your gpa, you have at least 50-60% chance of getting into UCLA (check ucla admissions website and their stats)</p>
<p>The several UCs you have done are very good ECs to do. Looking overall, I think you have a very good chance at UCM, UCR, UCI, and UCD. You can still reach for UCSD,UCB,UCLA,and UCSF.</p>
<p>Hey, listen, you don't have to play sports or do any traditional ec like that to get into a good school... your stats are excellent, and you are definitely capable of getting into a UC school.</p>
<p>Thank you all for your input. I'm actually working as a DC page right now and time is tight... but about the essay... I read that it is a bad thing to talk about EC's in your college essay's. I'm a little confused on what I should do.</p>
<p>The UC schools will never see your resume. They will see what you choose to write down in the 4-5 spaces allotted for EC's. So, you will fill those up with your current activities. No need to start something new at this late date. You can write about your EC's for your essay if you can find a way to tie them in with the essay question while conveying who you are and what makes you tick. The UC website has a guide to how to write their essays. Do a search for it. They spell out what they are loking for. I think you are competitive for all of the UC's, assuming you have taken a rigorous schedule. Good Luck.</p>
<p>Thank you very much for the tip. Yes, I have taken and will continue to take a full AP courseload. Another question I have is whether the formula-based admissions process at UCs (i think) will ease the pressure off the ECs and weight my GPA and such higher. I'm still worried a bit.</p>
<p>If you are instate and are in the top 10% of students in the state you are pretty much guaranteed a spot in some UC, though maybe not your first choice. Your stats (assuming CA resident) look good enough to have a good chance at whichever one you want. I'm a bit bewildered by lebedev's UCSF comment, as UCSF is grad school (med school) only, no undergrad.</p>
<p>lol sad I didn't know that yes i'm a CA resident and I've heard of ELC which involves the top 4% of every high school class being guaranteed admission to schools like UCD, UCI, and UCSB. Right now I'm pretty steamed about stupidly throwing away my student pack for AP tests... now I have to wait for scores...</p>