Will I get into college?? What colleges should I apply to??

State Forums
1

I’m currently a senior in California and I’ve started working on some of my college applications. However, I’m very nervous that I’m applying to all the wrong schools. I’m from a very rigorous high school so I’ve always taken honors courses and my gpa has always been in the 3.0-3.6 range since freshman year. However, I happened to screw up my junior year (most crucial year) and took an AP chem class despite the fact that I got a C in honors chem in 10th grade. The reason for this is that I was planning on majoring in engineering from the start of high school but changed my mind after junior year began. As expected I didn’t do so well in the class and got a C first semester and a D second semester, and I got a 2 on the ap exam. I also ended up getting a C second semester of APUSH (got a b first semester but also got a 2 on the exam). I had a lot of personal problems throughout the year; my dad lost his job, and he was dealing with a mental illness. My mom had to work late in the evenings to make money so I was constantly depressed about the problems my family was dealing with. I am planning on majoring in pre law or political science because I want to be a lawyer in the future. My gpa second semester of junior year tanked from a 3.1 to a 2.5 because I dropped to all Bs (plus the C and D). Now I’m worried I’ll get rejected at colleges everywhere because of my horrible grades second semester of junior year. Can I at least manage to get into UC Merced? Or even SJSU or any of the CSU’s? I would appreciate if anyone who had a similar experience could share what they did or if anyone can let me know what colleges I might actually have a shot at.

Edit: I’ve learned from my mistakes and I’m taking classes that actually enjoy and that I can manage well senior year ( Calculus, AP literature, AP Spanish, gov/econ, women’s studies, drama)

2

First you need to calculate your UC/CSU GPA: https://rogerhub.com/gpa-calculator-uc/

Post capped weighted UC GPA…

Do you have any test scores?

UC’s are very GPA focused and depending upon major many will be out of reach. Much will depend upon what your UC/CSU capped weighted GPA calculates out. Have you looked at the Freshman profiles to see how you compare?

http://admission.universityofcalifornia.edu/freshman/profiles/index.html

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Here is how Cal States admit.

The Cal states admit by major and eligibility index. They really only consider GPA/Test scores/Geographic location and HS course rigor. Other than Cal Poly SLO, your EC’s are not considered.

You need to calculate your CSU/UC GPA using grades from a-g courses taken 10-11th.

https://rogerhub.com/gpa-calculator-uc/

Not sure which courses are a-g and will give you extra honors points, then use this link by typing in your HS name?

https://hs-articulation.ucop.edu/agcourselist#/list/search/institution

Cal states and the majority of the UC’s use the capped weighted GPA.

Then calculate your Eligibility index:
If you took the Redesigned SAT:
(CSU capped weighted GPA X 800) + (SAT Evidence Based Reading & Writing (EBRW) + Math Score) = Eligibility Index

Eligibility index for ACT:
(CSU capped weighted GPA X 200) + (ACT Composite x10)= Eligibility Index

**CSULB and SJSU use a modified EI for STEM/Engineering majors:
http://www.sjsu.edu/admissions/impaction/impactionresultsfreshmen/index.html

You will then be ranked based on EI and major and they accept from the top down until all spots are filled.

You will get priority at your local CSU which you can look up on this link. Local applicants usually require a lower EI to get an acceptance unless the program is highly impacted.

http://www.calstate.edu/sas/onestopkiosk/documents/CSULocalAdmission-ServiceAreas.pdf

Impacted campuses/majors: https://www.calstate.edu/sas/documents/ImpactedProgramsMatrix.pdf
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SJSU happens to be the only CSU that posts their EI cutoffs by major so you can see if you will qualify. EI thresholds do fluctuate year to year so there are not guarantees.

http://www.sjsu.edu/admissions/impaction/impactionresultsfreshmen/index.html

Best of luck and hope your family situation improves.

3

Yeah I took the Sat twice, first time I got a 1360 second time I got a 1420 and I will be taking it again in October.

4

So what is your UC capped weighted GPA? Do you plan to repeat the 2nd semester Chem Class and when? Your D will be calculated into your GPA for the UC’s and CSU’s and you will not get the extra honors points for the 1 semester.

Your test scores are very competitive for many of the UC’s and CSU’s, but your GPA will be a huge factor.

5

If I’ve calculated correctlythen my unweighted gpa is 3.09 and my capped is 3.39. I didn’t take into account an estimate of the grades I’d get first semester of senior year. And no, I do not plan to retake the chem class.

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I’ve also calculated my eligibility index to be 4,122 and for sjsu the political science index was 3,300. Do I have an okay shot for at least sjsu??

7

Senior grades are not included in UC/CSU admission decisions. It will be based on your 9-11th grades for the a-g courses, your 10-11th grades for the UC/CSU GPA calculation, your test scores and for the UC’s (personal insight essays, EC’s and any special talents).

You are well above the SJSU EI threshold, so I would say SJSU would be a good safety school.

For the UC’s, even though your SAT scores are competitive, your GPA will hurt your chances. I would focus on UC Merced/Riverside and possibly Santa Cruz.

Freshman admit rates for UC GPA of 3.00-3.39

UCB/UCLA/UCSD: 1%
UCI/UCSB: 2%
UCD: 4%
UCSC: 18%
UCR: 38%
UCM: 67%

Freshman admit rates for UC GPA of 3.40-3.79:

UCB: 2%
UCLA: 3%
UCSD: 6%
UCD: 15%
UCSB: 14%
UCI: 13%
UCSC: 59%
UCR: 78%
UCM: 92%

Other CSU’s to look at would be Sac State (proximity to the capital for internships), CSU Long Beach, San Diego State and Cal State San Bernardino.

8

Yeah I figured my gpa wouldn’t be strong enough for some of the higher tier UCs. But I am glad to know that at least Merced/Riverside might maybe work. UCSC was one of my top choices so I hope I can boost up my SAT and write a good essay. Thank you so much for your help :slight_smile:

9

Best of luck