Korean101

Like the title says, is it safe or dangerous to have the UC schools San Diego, Irvine, and Davis as safety schools when applying? Currently my GPA is around 3.9 (it may drop by .1 by the end of my junior year though) and I'm expecting to get around 2100 on my SAT's. Not trying to brag at all, this is an honest question that I'm really considering whether to do or not. Your opinions/facts would be appreciated.

menloparkmom

if you are international student, the answer is NO.
If you live in Calif, then Irvine and Davis might be considered "safeties. It depends on what your sophomore and jr grades are. If you do a lot better than 2100 on the SAT [ like 2300] then SD might be a "safety".

DrGoogle

Your UC GPA is what the UCs go by. Do you know your UC GPA?
EDIT, I saw other post that seems to indicate 3.9 is your UC GPA. I think for in-state kids the stats have to be higher. For out of state, who knows it could work in your favor.

Korean101

Wait, I thought not being a Cal resident made it easier to get accepted into UC schools because of money? And I thought UC GPA's were used to determine eligibility for applying only? And idk what my UC GPA would be, I think around 4.3 (my weighted GPA is around 4.8 and the UC GPA's have that cap thing). And I did post a question about how to raise my SAT scores to the 2300's but I haven't gotten a reply.

Shrinkrap

You really need to calculate your UCGPA. SAT doesn't seem to have near as much impact at this level (2100 plus). The minimum UCGPA is useful for eligibility, but it also says a lot about admission odds for more of the schools each year.rIverside used to be a slam drunk if you were eligible, but not anymore. Here are detailed odds at UCLA, and Cal is probably similar

http://www.admissions.ucla.edu/prosp...osh_Prof12.htm

UCSD might be different, but I have not found detailed profiles.

phantasmagoric

I wouldn't say they're safeties for you, mainly because UC admissions have become a bit confusing as a result of the state budget cuts and the increase in OOS students. Even if you were in-state, I wouldn't say they're safeties.

With your stats, you might have a better shot at getting in as an OOS student than an in-state student, but only if you are full-pay. Still, they're not real safeties for you; high SAT scores are usually not enough to make up for weaknesses in GPA, since UCs emphasize the latter more.

Korean101

Okay I tried calculating my UC GPA (I assumed my junior grades based on what subject) and I'm pretty sure there was a mistake made somewhere because the result came out as 4.75, which I know is NOT possible. Maybe it was because I didn't input the cap. But I'm pretty sure it's at least 4.3ish because I've taken all honors/ap for the core classes (or a-g courses as they call it) and I've gotten mostly A's with only a few B's.

LasMa

Are you rich? Because if you're not, then UC is certainly not a financial safety. Cost of Attendance for OOS students is in the $50K range, and you will not get financial aid. $50K will get you into almost any private school in the US, and you won't have to put up with the program and service cuts, closed-out and overcrowded classes, and constant tuition hikes which are plaguing the UCs.

mom2collegekids

LasMa is right. As an int'l, you'd be full pay without aid....about $50k per year and rising.

Also, another thread you mentioned wanting to go to med school. US MD schools accept very few int'ls other than Canadians...many med schools won't accept any int'ls.

The reason is that the purpose of US med schools is to educate American doctors. And many public MD schools won't even accept out of state students - even if they're citizens.

Typically the few int'ls that are accepted must show funding for all 4 years of med school.

Unless you have an incredible hook, it's unlikely that you'd be accepted to med school here.

Shrinkrap

"calculating my UC GPA (I assumed my junior grades based on what subject) and I'm pretty sure there was a mistake made somewhere because the result came out as 4.75, which I know is NOT possible. Maybe it was because I didn't input the cap."

The cap makes a difference, at least for schools other than UCLA and Cal. Calculate capped and uncapped for these. After that, only count AP's as weighted, unless your school is listed in pathways. Usually only California high schools are. I would suggest you keep three GPA's in mind. "Pure" UCGPA, capped, and with only AP's weighted, will be the easiest to compare for "chances".

YoHoYoHo

Yes, assuming that you are a CA resident, for UCI and UCD. Not for UCSD. (Assuming the 3.9 was unweighted). Ds safeties were UCI and UCSB with 3.91 unwtd (9-11) and 2380; accepted to both.

Also, check this website and check your school to see if your "honors" classes were really classifed as "honors" per UC system where they give you the extra point.

https://doorways.ucop.edu/list/app/h...execution=e1s2

Disclaimer: I only speak based on my anecdotal evidence of n=1 and what our GC told D what were safeties for D. Additionally, I don't know anything else about your application package except your GPA and SAT1. Your school's GC has good data on what students at your school with your stats could consider safeties.

Shrinkrap

Oops! Yes! DOORWAYS, not pathways.

YoHoYoHo

If you are international student or not a CA resident, then I do not know if they would be considered safeties or not.