What are the minimum standards to be accepted in any University of California school?

Question

Anyone in the admissions department for any UC school? I graduated from the UC system many many years ago so I am out of touch with the current minimum standards for entry. I am trying to write a letter of recommendation for my niece but I am not sure if she will be able to get in. She has a 3.45 GPA and a SAT score of 1040. I am afraid that this is not good enough but I do not want to spoil her excitement. Also I don't want to misrepresent her true academic accomplishments with misleading data. Any suggestions so that her application looks more attractive to admissions?

Someone needs a lollipop! LOL Its easy to dismiss "advice" from those that don't have advanced professional degrees. Pity that many misguided people like the first poster do not have the drive to attain higher education. Thanks "menth..." but I'll keep my BS, MS, and MBA to hire bottom feeders like yourself to sort the mail. 8^O

She's looking into UCSB, Darthie. She has to compete with the "Torrey Pines" & "LJ Country Day" ilk - North County always gets the preference because of their histories of academic excellence. She's applying from the SouthBay. Not sure even if she had a 4.0, she may be overlooked because of the where she graduated. I think she has a better chance at SDSU. But you offer good advice friend. I recommeded Southwestern JC to her, but that I had to tiptoe around to tell her. 8^O

Piglet-porkie-poo ~ Yes my friend! I suggested her to major in Women's Studies, Sociology or History, just to get her foot in the door, with a chance to change it later.

Got_air ~ Geez, UCLA, UCB admissions for Fall '08 is closed already?! Hmmmm, this is gonna be tough trying to break the news to my niece. Back then, I got in with a scaled GPA of 3.91 ~ and the #7 class ranking & xtra curriculars helped. I suspect even with this, its not enough nowadays. My kids fortunately will benefit from my alumni status, but I don't think this applies to extended family. =(

Thanks RANTO!!! I'm not related to her by blood, but in the Filipino culture "we're all related" {snicker}. Its true! lol But THANKS for telling the truth. I will have to figure out how to encourage her to appy to JCs. I checked the profiles for incoming 2007 frosh at UCLA, UCB, UCD, UCR ~ the standards are much higher than when I applied (2 decades ago). Avg weighted GPA 3.98?! Avg SAT reasoning score 1800+?!

Answer 1

To be completely honest, she doesn't have much of a chance at the top UC schools. The GPA isn't bad -- but her SAT scores are pretty low for better schools in the UC system. 75% of those admitted to Berkeley have 1200+ scores.

On the other hand, the 25-75 percentile SAT scores at UC-Riverside are 910-1170. And UC-Rs average GPA is 3.43. The new UC school at Merced doesn't have enough history yet -- but probably has similar numbers. This means that she has a real shot at getting into one of the lower ranked UC schools. And the good news there is that the lower ranked UC schools are better than the best public universities in most states.

I'm surprised that she is having a relative write a letter for her. I would think that letters from her teachers would be preferred.

Answer 2

I can understand the dilemma. I am applying to med school and while my MCATs are very good, 30 my GPA is 3.35. This is my approach: I would focus on extras such as community service opportunities, clubs, sports, music, employment, tutoring, volunteering, anything she has done that could help her stand out. Does she live in CA; some of the colleges may have programs for high school students to participate in that may give her a leg up. The undergraduate college I attend now allows high school seniors to take a few classes and to participate in research. Have her research some of the schools she is sincerely interested in to find out if there is anything that they seem more focused on that may apply to her. I hope this helps (both her and myself) :P

Answer 3

If she's willing to go to community college first, she can get into the UC school if it has a TAG or similar program. The transfer is guaranteed, but I don't know the details.

Here's link for Grossmont College:
http://www.grossmont.edu/transfercenter/ucsd_tag.asp

I wouldn't be surprised if all community colleges in the San Diego area had TAG.

Of course, this is for UCSD. I don't know which school she's eyeing.

Here's the Admissions page for UCSB. It states, "UCSB has established transfer admission guarantees (TAGs) for fall terms with all California community colleges."

http://www.admissions.ucsb.edu/prospective/TAGLetter.asp

Answer 4

If you specialize in engineering technology, your in luck. There is little to no discrimination when it comes to genius: however, I have no idea how smart you are. In particular look to UC Berkely and Caltech. However, schools like Stanford will require more rounded schools that extra curricular activities that many International students do no realize.

Answer 5

Depends on which quotas need to be filled. I am being serious, if she goes to study "Women's studies" she might have a better shot than if she wants to study medicine...

Answer 6

I'm not sure if this will help or not but it's a starting point if you don't get the answer here...

http://catalog.berkeley.edu/education.html

Answer 7

rebel lie, everyone else will. else cut her a check & call it a day