If I was average in high school, is there room for improvement in college?

Question

I went to a bad high school... got a 4.0 unweighted. 4.35 weighted. However, in the applicant pool at UC Berkeley and UCLA, I look average/below average because my SAT score was 1910. (620M, 630V, 660W.) However, I've never practiced for these tests.... so I went in cold for the SAT. Do you think I could survive going from a below average high school with average scores to a top university like UCLA and CAL. I'm a hard worker... if that means anything. But, I dont want to give up a social life. What's a realistic GPA that I might be able to pool off?

What is a realistic GPA that I can pull off as a Biochem major? I can't believe I spelled pull "pool" haha.

a 4.0 might not seem average.... but I put emphasis on how horrible my school was. half of the student body is in a remedial program.

Also, I've already been accepted to Berkeley and UCLA. But, fearing that I fall below the norm, I am opting for lower UCs at this point

Answer 1

I was the average student in a good high school. I had a 3.3 GPA and was involved with several sports and activites. I graduated college with a 3.0 and now have a 3.625 GPA for my grad degree. It is all with how hard you work. Make sure you take it a little easy for the first semester with the class load so that you can get adjusted to school and all. You will do fine as long as you work hard. Learn to balance your time.

Answer 2

Shake off the bad high school badge. You can do anything if you are willing to work. First issue is you have had a weak foundation, so you need to address that. Take a look at your scores and target your weak points. Some people solve this by spending a couple of years in a community college or junior college. You might study on your own and take the CLEP exams (or DANTES). This will not only evaluate how you are doing but get you college credit at a bargain price. About that social life...my dad said "don't let college get in the way of your education." Just remember, no one will pay you $100,000 a year to drink beer and be a jerk.

Answer 3

You might be like me.
I inquired about the high school gpa required for admission to the University, then accomplished it and nothing more.
Once in the University, I researched what gpa would be required for grad school, and accomplished it and nothing more.

I was able to achieve what was required for my goal(s), but had no motivation to go beyond. I did not bring a book home from high school, until my final semester when I knew I needed to get nearly straight "A's" to get into the University.

A couple differences here:

Grade inflation has been a terrible crime in America since the Viet Nam, when teachers sympathized with students and did not want to be responsible for giving the grades that meant their student would end up in harm's way.

My IQ has been measured as genius. (No humility acknowledged.) Has yours? Can you reach down inside you, work forty hours a week and take a full academic load?

Answer 4

Colleges these days don't just look at GPA...they look at extra cirricular activities, college essays, recommendations, standardized tests..etc. If you are concerned with the ability to improve in college...one option is go to a local school (community college) for perhaps 1 yr or even 2 years and then transfer...this way - you will still be working on getting a degree but in a much more relaxed enviornment as you might not feel soo stressed to feel like you need to overdo to acheive your goals.

But, as long as any student has their mind set on being in school for education and not for partying and all the other distractions it offers...you will be able to achieve good grades in any college you set your foot in. Good Luck!

Answer 5

Gentleman,
There is no substitute for HARD WORK. It pays in the long run. There are always rooms for improvement in the college as well as in life. Forget the BAD and accept the GOOD. Determination, Follow up, Hard work, Devotion. Punctuality, Concentration, Attention, Revision By writing the Q&A.
are the basic points helping you to achieve what you want in studies. Be a studious man to study your lessons. Do your lessons and home work at any cost daily.
Stop your Bad Habits such as watching T/V or movie continuously. Do not waste TIME unnecessarily. Since Time is MONEY. Have a time consciousnesses in each and every step of your action. Be honest and stop your bad habits such as alcoholism, drug.or womanizing if at all if you have any of this please. Remember that YOU will achieve what you want in your studies at college. If you are weak in any of the subjects please engage yourself in tuition.
GOOD LUCK

Answer 6

sorry but your a little out of luck. UCLA received 42,000 applicants last fall and accepted 3500. To get into UCLA you have to be working with a 4.0 from a school with a high API Index and you need a minimum 2000 on your SAT. CAL is a little easier to get into, but with your low SAT score you're gonna have trouble even getting into CAL. You should try UC Riverside, CAL State Long Beach, UC Santa Cruz, And San Diego States. All good colleges and all a hell of a lot easier to get into than UCLA or CAL Berkley. UC Irvine is also very hard to get into but its an excellent school and easier than UCLA. I'm going to UCI next year and I'm graduating with a 3.9(4.2 Weighted) and A 2200 SAT Score(750M, 750V, 700W)

Answer 7

Not the answer you want but, with hard work, you can achieve whatever you want. Temporarely skip the social life (it'll be there when you need to celebrate that high gpa you're looking for) and offer yourself the opportunity to become legitimate by working hard to be in the top 5 of your class. Remember, we're losing the middle class in our society so please, do not aim low.

Answer 8

Hmmm. I think those top colleges know how to weed out people. Study and get higher scores! And know that you will have to put college first, social a close second.

Answer 9

Well first you need to be accepted to a good college.

But if you are, you need to be able to work hard! I went from one of the worst schools in my district to a private prep school on scholarship...omg...but you'll make it probably, good luck :)

Answer 10

Yeah its the same with me but its happining in highschool. I dont have such a high one right now though, so im thiking you will drop .5ish not too bad. (that is assuming you do what you do at highschool) if you try you can get it up.