alkaalice

female/california resident
3.91 UC GPA

took 2 honor's classes sophomore year:
honors chem and honors english

took 2 AP's and one honors junior year:
AP US, AP Lang, honors Spanish 4

taking 2 AP's senior year:
AP stats, AP Lit

ACT: 29 composite
33 reading
30 math
28 english
24 science

SAT II:
math (retaking this month)
US History: 620

SAT I:
i really suck at this test. but my highest is a 1780, and I'm taking it for the final time in November and aiming for at least a 1840.

EC's are pretty strong, a lot of volunteer work for the school and city.
and I had a job my entire junior year
plus student leadership for 3 years.

based on these stats, honestly, what are my chances?
is my GPA too low?

emilsinclair9

You're pretty borderline. I hate saying that because it's the worst answer, and most ambiguous, but its true. However, if you can write a killer personal statement by writing about what you've accomplished, how you have contributed to your community, and what you plan on doing in the future, I think you could definitely get in.

I'm also applying to UCD this year, but fortunately I have a TAG which is guaranteed admission from a Community College. It's soooo much easier to get in from CC it's ridiculous- you only need a 2.8 to be guaranteed admission.

The way I see it, your GPA (if 3.9 is weighted) is a tad low, and so are your SAT's, but if you can get over the 1800 mark and get good grades (aim for perfect) this semester along with doing something big for the community, you will be in.

For example, what I'm trying to do to sway UCLA into accepting me, is I am working on a research project on drugs and their effects on women between the ages of 18 and 35 (150) interviews conducted. I also volunteer at an assisted living center and tutor kids. Since my goal is to become a psychologist, or possibly psychiatrist, these volunteer jobs and projects (I'm praying) will push me over the edge because they pertain to my major. If you have no clue what you want to do, that's ok, but the UC's love to hear what your plans are for your future and what you intend/have accomplished.

I wish you the best of luck, and keep up the good work. Who knows, maybe we'll both be Aggies next year.

OoPurestOo

^.... not so sure about that chance.

The average accepted GPA was around a 4.0 UC GPA and you have a 3.91.

The average ACT accepted (which I'm assuming you'll use) is a 27 and you got a 29.

If anything, I think you are a match and based on what other people have had, you should probably get in. Unlike UCLA/UCB, the other UC's are more of a numbers and points game. Your work experience and leadership will definitely add to your point total.

If you want, you can try to take the SAT1's again but to use the SAT over your ACT, you'd have to get 2000+ since your ACT is equivalent of a ~1980 SAT score.

Overall, pretty good chances. Definitely above borderline.

alkaalice

Okay, thanks so much!

Yeah I know my GPA is slightly lower, but I've taken AP and honors classes. the thing that sucks is I took honors english sophomore year and honors spanish 4 but in my school it doesn't give you the extra point for the GPA

but I'm taking SAT's again november and not to be negative, ut I know I won't get higher than 1980ish. So do UC's weight ACT and SAT same? Like will they just say that my test score was around 1980ish?

OoPurestOo

Yes, you can use one or the other.

Phishy

But when you send in your SAT II scores, your SAT I scores are automatically included in the score report.

OoPurestOo

^ They still take the better between the SAT1 or the ACT though. It is such a point system with the UC's to the extent that a sudden glance at a 1700 SAT won't override a 30 on the ACT to make them reject you.