Good chance for UCI, UCLA, or any other UC's with my grades/SAT?

Question

Hello :) I am a high school junior right now and I'm worried about applications this fall. I just want to know realistically whether or not I can get into UC Irvine or UC Los Angeles with these grades/extracurriculars.

My current GPA for soph/1st semester of junior year: 3.75 weighted. I'm aiming for a 4.3+ 2nd semester.

SAT score: 1830 as of now, planning to retake this Saturday and get a higher score of 2000+

Extracurriculars (by the time I send out applications)
3 years of Track/Field
1 year of Basketball
Member of Youth Alive Christian Club for 3 years
Member of Spanish Club for 2 years/helped facillitate projects
Member of Study Club for 2 years
Was named as Most Improved Student by the end of sophomore year.
(I'm aiming to volunteer as much as I can this summer)

Projected Senior class schedule:
Weight Training
AP Government
AP English 12
AP Chemistry
Physics
Pre-Calculus

Many thanks if you answer :D

Answer 1

To prepare for UCLA and other UC schools, you should complete the a-g requirements (ask your counselor for the approved courses at your high school or check online at http://www.ucop.edu/doorways/ ), study and do well in your high school courses and standardized tests (SAT and/or ACT, and SAT II), take as many honors and/or AP courses as you can handle, and commit to one or two extracurricular activities in which you develop leadership skills (more is not better, quality is better than quantity).

UCs (including UCLA) will weigh the following components of your application (in the order of importance): 1) your essay (UCLA publishes a guideline on how to write your personal statement at: http://www.admissions.ucla.edu/Prospect/PerStmt.htm ) about your academic achievement, talent or extracurricular activities that highlight your motivation, dedication, and/or initiative to achieve, your potential to contribute to the university, and any special circumstances like hardship; 2) your grades and any grade trends (improvements are better than just maintaining a high GPA); 3) your test scores, including SAT and/or ACT, SAT II; and 4) number of AP courses completed compared to the number of AP courses offered at your high school. Other factors are taken into consideration, but to a lesser extent.

Answer 2

I am in a similar situation as you, for I am a junior needing to apply this fall.

My SAT score was 1880, I am awaiting my ACT score. I'm taking subject tests this weekend.

The only thing that is troubling is your GPA, but other than that you look good. Hopefully you can get it up there by the end of this semester. I have a 4.5 and am #3 in my class.

Advice: Go for all the AP credits you can. Stick with sports, clubs, and volunteer a lot. Try not to spread yourself out too much. In my opinion, being a leader of a few clubs is better than a member of many.

Your class schedule looks good for next year, if possible I'd tack on one more AP class...at least for the first semester so colleges will think you're working extra hard.

In summary, I think you'll be fine at UCI, and with a little boost in GPA, UCLA/Berkeley will be attainable. Most of the other UCs aren't as prestigious and you shouldn't have a problem getting into them.

Answer 3

I think you may have trouble getting into UCLA unless scouts are already looking at you to attend their school for sports. UCLA is one of the most difficult UCs to get into. But different UCs weigh your application differently. Some will really look at your essay, some will take into consideration your classes for senior year. Also check to see if you are eligible in the local context. As for UCI I think you have a better chance. Check the UCOP website and you can find last years student demographics and it will give you an idea of who they accept for each school.

Answer 4

LOLz OMG u almost have every senior classes as i do for next year..
my current GPA is same as urs
and i just took my sat today.. and i think i FAIL IT SOOO BAD..
but my avid teacher told me with my gpa i am for sure get in to UCI UCSB and other UC but for UCSD and UCLA it's an 50/50 chance.. and since u hace such a good sat scores i think u can make it..
just involve with some more clubs as officers

Answer 5

uh i think its alright. quite possibly not enough for UCLA/UCB

but UCSD + UCI guaranteed.
just bring up your GPA, take more AP classes

well i got like
a 3.8-ish cumulative GPA, and like 1400-1650 on SATS I (noobie score), but i owned SATs II...
and got accepted to SD + I, but then again i had eagle scout, and thats ultimate leadership & community service projects.
i also had swim + water polo though.

so i dunno.

UCLA is really picky (or was this year for 2006-2007), only 4,700 out of over 50,000 were accepted. Berkeley is about 12,000/50,000 ~~~ approximately 23%. ONE THING BERKELEY DOES LOOK @ SAT SCORES SO IF YOU GET THAT 2000.

but yeah start taking higher classes. they will see how hard you challenge yourself.

oh and race does matter, if you're white or asian, good luck. if you're hispanic / black you'd get in.

Answer 6

I think you have a good shot at getting into some UC school -- especially if you are a California resident. California guarantees admission to some UC school for students in California schools who graduate in the top four percent of their classes. The best way for you to make sure that you get into a UC school is to graduate near the top of your class.

Answer 7

You should get a higher SAT score to increase your chances. I got 2 perfect scores in math and reading, but my writing score was only 720, for a total of 2320. I only read this SAT guide, and that is how I got such high scores:
http://www.guideparadise.com/index.php?option=com_guides&task=buy&id=10
I recommend this guide to anyone seeking to get a higher score to get into a first choice college.