Worst GPA in the world. Chance a hopeless Asian noob?

Colleges and Universities A-Z University of California - Los Angeles
1

<p>Yeah I'm aware that my GPA is terrible especially for a GPA-heavy school like UCLA. However, do I stand any chance at all for both UCLA and UCB? </p>

<p>Asian male (fml)
East Coast
Income bracket: 250k+
School: Very competitive, grade deflation, sends at least at least a dozen kids to Ivies every year
Rank: School doesn't report
GPA: 3.33 UW
3.8 W
3.7 UC GPA
Upward trend
SAT: 1510/2250
SAT II: 800 MATH II 800 CHEM
AP: All 5s (chem, bio, calc ab, music theory, english lang&comp)
Senior sched: AP Econ, AP stat, AP calc bc, AP english lit, rest are electives
Course rigor: Most rigorous
ECs:
-Piano 9 years: Played in Carnegie Hall and other well-known halls multiple times, played frequently for local senior centers, did a bunch of recitals per year, tutored some local kids, got some awards (dunno how prestigious)
-Violin 7 years: School orchestra since 4th grade, played in outside ensemble which performed several times a year since 8th grade, also tutored local kids
-Academic league co-captain
-Breakdance: Leader of school's "crew," performed for several school events, performed several times out of school
-100 volunteer hours in Chinese school
-50 volunteer hours in environmental center
-Internship in Credit Suisse hedge fund
-Internship in Rutgers University 2 summers
Essays: Well, all my teachers (including a professor at a top Ivy) said they were awesome. Overall, my essays should be the strongest part of the app. </p>

<p>Prompt #1 - Made up a fictional disease, procrastination (P. Rocrastinatii), and talked about how it "infected" me during HS until the competitive nature of my friends and peers motivated me to unlock untapped potential and make it my ultimate goal to succeed in any environment. Basically, I tried to use a creative way to answer the prompt while addressing my horrendous GPA as well.
Prompt #2 - Creative piece about breakdancing and how it makes me who I am.</p>

<p>So... yeah. Am I pretty much screwed because of my GPA? Also, how likely is it that I'll get a supplement/augmented review? I heard that "borderline" applicants might get a supplement to provide 1st semester grades, a teacher rec, and some essays. Is it likely that I'll be offered a supplement and be asked to show my 1st sem grades (which should be all As or maybe a B or 2 if I'm unlucky) since I showed improvement and I emphasized the improvement in my essay? Sorry if these were stupid questions =/</p>

2

<p>Your test scores look great, and your ECs look awesome as well. I love the idea you used in essay #1; I think it will certainly get the attention of the admissions committee. I’ve never heard of a supplement/augmented review here at UCLA, but maybe I’m just ignorant.</p>

<p>I don’t think you’re absolutely screwed. If you have an upward trend in your GPA, that’ll be something worth considering in lieu of your overall GPA.</p>

3

<p>What do your parents do? Doctors? Lawyers?</p>

4

<p>They’re clinical researchers</p>

5

<p>So anyone else?</p>

6

<p>You have such low self-esteem, and you need to fix this before you worry about getting into a school or not. Because no one is going to give a crap whether you came out of ucla or not, because your lack of confidence is going to bring you down.</p>

<p>Other than that, you’ll get into a great school. Maybe better than ucla.</p>

7

<p>Agree with Fizast. “Worst GPA in the world. Chance a hopeless Asian noob?” I used to talk like that. Have more faith in yourself and you’ll go far.</p>

<p>What major are you planning on applying for?</p>

8

<p>I applied to LSA and I want to do business economics.</p>

9

<p>middle reach for both UCLA and Berk</p>

10

<p>To me, surprised if you get in, I would not be. Surprised you are rejected, neither.</p>

11

<p>a 3.3 is not the worst gpa in the world. if you have a very rigorous schedule, this should help.</p>

12

<p>you have a good chance IMO! I agree with the other posters that you need to give yourself some credit because you have worked hard not just in school but it seems like out of school too. Have some confidence and if the decision they give you is not what you want then shake it off because that means they were not the school for you. just try to relax and don’t overanalyze the admission process</p>

13

<p>That’s bad? … You’re gonna get in a good university for sure. Don’t sweat it.</p>