Hi, just finished junior year. I’ve come a long way and would like to realistically know my chances for some UC’s/USC/lower Ivies. I got off to a real rocky start freshman and sophomore year. I dealt with bullying and depression, and I am glad I overcame it, but sad I don’t have the cumulative GPA to prove my intelligence and diligence. Check it out:
Top 25 HS in nation - small, competitive in California bay area, multiple kids to Ivies every year
Freshman Year Classes:
World Cultures
Geometry (highest offered)
Biology (highest offered)
Spanish 1
English
Ceramics
P.E.
GPA : 3.15
Sophomore Year Classes:
Algebra II / Pre-Calc dual enrollment
Spanish II
English
Chemistry
A.P. Computer Science (had to drop at the semester, had a C- and couldn’t get any better lol)
Law and Society
Public Speaking
GPA: 3.15
Junior Year Classes: (outrageous improvment, proud of my accomplishments)
A.P. Calc (4)
A.P. Computer Principles (5)
APUSH (4)
Honors Physics
Spanish III
Art I
ROP Culinary Arts (career elective)
GPA: UW 4.0 W 4.6
ACT: 32
Race: one of 5 black students out of 700
Extra Curriculars:
Mock Trial (member)
Black Student Union (founder, president)
Jack and Jill of America - another African American diversity group (president)
Key Club (secretary)
JV basketball (freshman, Sophmore) Varsity Basketball (junior)
NSLC - Yale - Engineering
Volunteer Service ~ 60 hours, so far
Paid job ~ close to 50 hours
And, attending TASP this summer
That being said, what do you guys think? I know it’s rough lol
First of all, there is no such thing as a ‘lower Ivy’ given that most of them have sub 10 percent acceptance rates. That’s a poor attitude to have given that most of the schools you look down on as lower are all Top 15.
That sophomore year GPA is a killer and unless your counselor can write a good explanation, most top 25 schools are out of the question. Remember that UCs look at your GPA from 10th and 11th grades and your 10th grade academic GPA is really low.
If your counselor can explain the depression and bullying in a recommendation, that could be a mitigating circumstance. Nevertheless I would think about UCSB and UC Irvine as low reaches. Possibly UC San Diego, but look for schools ranked 30-50.
I think that being the founder of the BSU and leader of other orgs along with pretty impressive volunteering/work experience is a pretty big bonus and the upwards trend of junior year is going to help a ton. That being said, yes your GPA was low sophomore year. I would realistically think that if you had a fantastic essay, you have a fair shot at many of the UC schools but USC and the Ivy’s could possibly be out of reach.
I would consult with your guidance counselor and seriously sit down to plan out the first half of next year and figure out which schools they think you can get into.
I agree with the first poster, there is no such thing as a lower Ivy. Your GPA definitely won’t cut it, but maybe if you can explain why it was low, you might have a shot. The Ivies and USC will probably not accept you because of the GPA. However, I suggest you talk with your guidance counselor and see you can do. Maybe explain in your essays what happened and what you did to overcome your challenges. I’d like to see you empower yourself through your recommendations and essays. Remember, it’s not the end of the world if you don’t make it into the top schools. You always have the state school and local community college if all else fails. Based on your academics, you are more than capable of doing well.
If you still plan on applying to the Ivy Leagues, look for what makes you different from the crowd. Is it your role as the founder and president of BSU? Is it that you participated in that Yale program?