Which UC could I get into + which ones have good financial aid packages?

State Forums
1

Little confused by UC’s GPA Calculator but I’m getting numbers between 3.74-3.78, my UW Gpa (4.0-4.5) is 3.94, and my W GPA is 3.74 (All not including freshmen year because UC doesn’t).

I got a 32 Composite score on the ACT (36 on science if that means anything), I’m waiting for the next test back but with another test I think it is very possible I could get a 34 superscored, and just a small chance I could get a 34 composite on one of them.

I know this is awful to say, but I really don’t have many extra-curricular activities, there’s an occasional outside school sport activity or club so I don’t look like I do nothing but there’s no way I’d gain any points here.

So I’m out of state and pretty unfamiliar with how hard it would be to get into the UC’s (for computer science) and my research varies from 3.1 gpa people getting into very hard to get schools, and 3.9 gpa people getting rejected into what seemed like easy UC schools.

So what schools would I have a shot with? I really would love something like USC, UCLA, or Berkeley but I know that might be a bit out of my reach. (Are they?)

Also even if they aren’t top tier schools I am in desperate need of a school that gives good financial aid. Is there any chance that schools I know I can get into such as Santa Barbara or Santa Cruz have either great financial aid packages for out of state-residents or some type of Academic scholarship for the scores I have. Also looking at Cal Poly and SDSU if that means anything.

Thank you

2

You’ve got a great shot at SDSU, UCR, UCM and probably UCSC. You’ll probably make it into SLO, UCD, UCI and UCSB. UCLA, UCSD and UCB are probably reaches.

USC is not a UC, it is a private school - I give you 50/50 shot there.

For the CA Publics, you have to take a list of required ‘a-g’ courses or your application will be rejected - no matter your other qualifications. This trips up lots of otherwise qualified OOS applicants.

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As for aid, don’t expect any from CA Public schools. USC and other privates like USD, LMU and Santa Clara are more likely to provide assistance.

4

As an OOS applicant, expect to pay close to $55K/year for the privilege of attending a UC. Little to no FA available for OOS and be aware the OOS tuition may increase another 8% over the next few years. SDSU/SLO will cost you around $32K/year with no FA. You have some competitive Stats that could get you some decent FA but not at the California publics. USC might be your best chance here in California. Might want to look at LMU, Chapman, Occidental to name a few privates that might give decent FA. Good luck