So here’s the thing, I have strict parents, high expections (brother graduated from UCLA) and I’m planning to major in a science. My brother majored in science also and I’m a sophomore in High School (yes I know I’m young) but I am worried about the future. My cumulative GPA right now is a 3.9. I had one B freshman year and now I have all A’s and I have a B in AP Bio, which shows up as 2 b’s since there is a BIO-LAB period. My school does not weigh GPA so my GPA would be 3.5 GPA unweighted on my transcript. It looks h o r r i b l e! I was lazy this semester and I haven’t done my best. If I had a 4 on the BIO Exam and I received the same grades next semester, would I still have a chance to make it into Davis, Los Angeles, San Diego, Berkely, or Irvine?
It is not that your school weighs or does not weigh your GPA. It is what the UCs do. They weigh AP and Honors classes with an extra point. So if your transcript has an AP or honors next to the class, you will get the extra point for your UC GPA. UC GPA is not the same as your high school GPA.
Also your Freshman B does not get factored into your GPA because the UCs do not count freshman grades in your GPA calculation. GPA is calculated using 10th and 11th grade grades. So do really well for the rest of the year and continue doing well next year. Make sure you prepare well for the SAT/ACTs and you should be set. You have plenty of time to show the UCs what you are made of.
Don’t forget to join into social activities that you enjoy. This will make high school fun as well as help you get some extra activities for your application.
Good luck!
Thank you (:
At the end of Junior year, you can calculate your UC GPA using this link: http://rogerhub.com/gpa-calculator-uc/
UCLA has an average UC GPA of 4.3 (higher for reminding) so you should definitely aim for all A’s and take as many honors and APs as possible this year and next year.