UCLA UCB with these credentials?

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 UCB or UC Los Angeles with these grades/extracurriculars. If not, what UC's do I have a chance with?

My overall weighted GPA is a 3.88, but I had a significant improvemnet from my 1st semester of junior year (3.6) to a 4.3 second semester.

SAT score: 1970
I haven't taken my SATII's yet.

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.
Various volunteering

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

Many thanks if you answer :D

Answer 1

Your priority should be raising your SAT scores; try the ACT plus Writing Assessment to see if you do better. An improving trend in your grades is looked upon favorably, so you should be fine.

Berkeley and UCLA will weigh the following components of your application (in the order of importance): 1) your essay (Berkeley publishes a guideline on how to write your personal statement at: http://students.berkeley.edu/files/Admissions/Personal_State_07.pdf ) 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

You will certainly get into a good school -- especially if you do well in your AP classes in the Fall. That should bring your weighted average up to 4.0. In your cover letter, address the fact that your grades have improved through time.

Your SATs are close to the average -- and well within the middle third of the admitted students.

If you are a California resident and graduate in the top 10% of your class -- then you are guaranteed to get into some UC school. I think you have a shot at the better ones (and should apply to UCSD as well as Berkeley and UCLA).

The link below is for Princeton Review. They post admissions information on nearly every school.

Answer 3

I'd retake that SAT score and get above 2200 for a good shot. Might also get more leadership positions like president, etc. But you have a chance at UCLA and UCB and a very good chance at UCSD, UCI, UCSB, etc. And try to get above 750 on your SATII's and 4's on AP's.

Answer 4

The average SAT for UCLA is 2010, so you're real close to that. Your grades look just fine. Plenty of extras. I'd say you're in.

Answer 5

no with ucla because their standards are extremely high, but yes on santa barbara