Would appreciate thoughts on the UC's! How am I faring?

Chance Me / Match Me!
1

Hello everyone! :slight_smile:

I’d appreciate it if I could have some thoughts as to how the UC’s are looking for me. I am an OOS applicant from Illinois.

Unweighted GPA (Out of 4.0): 3.41
UC C/W GPA: 3.79
Weighted GPA (Out of 5.0): 3.89

Grade Trend: Freshman and sophomore year were a bit rough, but had a fantastic junior year (nearly all A’s in AP classes)! Had personal issues that led to a tougher sophomore year, especially.

Major: Computer Science (not Colleges of Engineering though, Letters and Sciences/Liberal Arts instead) Have also considered my alternate of Psychology, or Undeclared, if that helps with admission.

ACT: 30 (English: 31, Math: 26, Reading: 32, Science: 29, Writing: 33)

Course Rigor: Have taken 7 AP classes and will be taking 4 more senior year.

Essays: Working on these early and making them as unique, and memorable as possible. Think these will help the most.

Extracurriculars:
Tennis for 3 years now (JV/Varsity)
Psychology Club
Societe Honoraire de Francais (French NHS)
NHS (60 hours)
Marching Band Section Leader
Concert/Pep Band
Worked one-on-one with a child who had autism my freshman year, and helped meet his educational needs (aided him in reading and writing, improved so much throughout the year!) (100 hours community service)
Teaching Assistant, and then a Teacher for a group of 4th-5th graders about Islamic History for two years. (200 hours community service)
Taught children of ages 5-14 skills they needed in terms of English and mathematics for their upcoming school year for two years (40 hours community service, a summer school-type program)

UC’s I am applying to: Berkeley, Santa Barbara, Davis, Santa Cruz.

Note: I am aware of my chances to 3 out of the 4 aforementioned (UCB, UCSB, UCD). Won’t be easy at all. Santa Cruz could be hard too. Might take Berkeley and Davis off, but really did want to give it my best shot.

I have considered my in-state options as well, and have plenty of matches/safeties ready. Just really want to attend a CA school. Cost won’t be an issue.

Thank you very much!

2

I’d say you have a fair chance! Berkeley will def be harder to get into, but you said cost won’t be an issue, so might as well apply, right? Prob the only thing holding you back would be your GPA, but hopefully your upward trend will stand out to admissions officers. If you discuss your personal issues (in an uplifting way lol) in your personal insight questions, that’ll def help. Good luck!

3

I think Berkeley will be a reach (it is for pretty much everyone), especially with the lower GPA. The average GPA at Berkeley, according to admissions blogs, is 3.86, so you’re working with that.
For santa barbara, davis and santa cruz, you would have fair chances as those are not as hard to get into.

4

UCB: High Reach
UCSB/UCD: Reach
UCSC: High Match-Low Reach

CS is one if the most competitive majors at the UC’s. If your GPA is not above the average 4.0+, your chances are not good. UC’s are very GPA focused. I would add UCR to the list if you want to get into a UC.
Average UW GPA at UCB is 3.91 and weighted is 4.41. Take a look at the Freshman profiles to compare.

http://admissions.berkeley.edu/studentprofile

5

@forevertired Yep, well aware that Berkeley will be a challenge. Will definitely work thoroughly on the essays, and yes, hoping the upward trend convinces them. Thank you!

@yonceonhismouth Right; would be one of the few (if I did get into Berkeley) to have well below that GPA. Will do all I can to make sure I get into the other 3, and really hope they work out. Thanks!

6

@Gumbymom Yeah, from what I’ve read, GPA is huge. Thought about UCR, but got mixed reviews from those who attended. Still, something to consider. Appreciate the feedback! Really helps!

7

Could applying undeclared help at all? Or will it still be tough?

Then, there is the situation that CS is hard to transfer into though. Even if it isn’t the Colleges of Engineering.

8

CS is difficult to change into later for most of the UC’s especially if they admit by major which is true in UCSB and UCD’s case for the School of Engineering. You have to make a decision if CS is really what you want no matter what or would you be happy at the school in another major with the possibility of not being allowed to change majors.

If CS is your ultimate goal, I would apply as a CS major and hopefully get the direct admit or add a few more schools to the list. Not sure how you feel about a Cal State, but you might want to consider San Diego State or Cal State Long Beach. My younger son is a CS major at SDSU and is very happy with the program.

9

Fairly sure CS is what I’d like. With that said, I’ll do my best to get admitted, and already have other schools on my list in case the UC’s don’t work out.

Haven’t looked too much into the Cal States, actually. Will definitely check them out! Thank you!