Can I go to Universities of California ???

Question

Does anyone here has any personal experience about application to UCs (like Berkeley, LA, San Diego,..) ?
I got some scores : SAT I : 1830, SAT II Math : 800, SaT II Chemistry : 730, GPA : 4.00 (Junior), no awards or activities, and I'm an international student for 2nd years.
I just want to ask one simple question : Do I have any chance to go to those universities ?
Please answer frankly to me.
Thank you very much !!!

Answer 1

Keep in mind that universities in the U.S. look at the overall student, not just a test score or GPA, so without any activities, and with a less-than-stellar SAT I score, my best guess would be that you won't get into quite such a selective set of schools. However, you can always apply there - there is never a guarantee one way or the other.

Answer 2

I agree with most of the other answerers. Your SAT Subject scores are impressive, and your GPA will make up for your SAT I scores. However, since UCs are looking for well-rounded students (ie those who participate in activities), you might have a little bit of trouble. I would suggest that you volunteer for some non-profit organization for the self-satisfaction it brings; plus, it'll look as if you are a person who cares about your environment. This is mostly from my own personal experience; I participated in many school activities when I was in high school, like band, swim team, and yearbook, and did many hours of community service. This helps very much especially when you write your personal essays; the UC board of regents gets a sense of what you are like as a person and how appealing you are to their school. I didn't get into UCLA or UCB, but that was mostly because of my academics, but I am now happily attending UCSD and I'm glad I made my decision for attending this school. Good luck on your applications.

Answer 3

Your GPA is impressive! That 4.0 might make up for your lower SAT score. You will get into UC-San Diego, I'm sure. You have a pretty good shot at UCLA, but Berkeley... is TOUGH to get into. But your stats are good overall, so you have a good chance of getting into the UCs. Good luck!

Answer 4

Having no activities will hurt you. You didn't do any volunteering or anything...? Did you have a job?
For UC San Diego, "Non-residents must have a 3.4 GPA or higher." For test scores: "Test scores SAT verbal scores over 500 88%, SAT math scores over 500 97%, ACT scores over 18 97%, SAT verbal scores over 600 55%, SAT math scores over 600 76%, ACT scores over 24 72%, SAT verbal scores over 700 13%, SAT math scores over 700 30%, ACT scores over 30 19%." 44% of applicants were admitted. So, you have a chance there.
UC Berkeley would be a real reach: "Average high school GPA 3.89; Test scores SAT verbal scores over 500 91%, SAT math scores over 500 95%, ACT scores over 18 N/R, SAT verbal scores over 600 72%, SAT math scores over 600 81%, ACT scores over 24 N/R, SAT verbal scores over 700 31%, SAT math scores over 700 46%, ACT scores over 30"
Same with UCLA: "Average high school GPA 4.0; Test scores SAT verbal scores over 500 93%, SAT math scores over 500 96%, ACT scores over 18 99%, SAT verbal scores over 600 66%, SAT math scores over 600 77%, ACT scores over 24 76%, SAT verbal scores over 700 21%, SAT math scores over 700 39%, ACT scores over 30 29%"

Perhaps try UC--Santa Barbara, UC--Irvine, UC--Santa Cruz, or UC--Riverside (those are ranked from highest to lowest)

Answer 5

No activities = no chance. UCs get plenty of brains applying for spots every year; they want you to bring something more to the table, especially if you're applying from out of state.

Answer 6

Yeah, they don't give as much weight to SAT as GPA