Can I get in to UCD???

enemyunit · 10-15-2009, 01:33 AM

I'm in state, and I'm wondering if I can get into a bio major at UCD. I know everyone applies for bio there and I guess admission becomes tough for bio.

Do you think I'll get in for a bio major?

UC GPA: 4.00
class rank - 59/428 ='(

very competitive high school (because of the IB program)

ACT composite: 35
english - 35
math - 35
reading - 32
science 36
(english/writing - 31) I got an 8 on the essay ='(

SATIIs:
math IIc - 800
physics - 780
chemistry - 750

national merit commended student

Middle Years Program Diploma (9th-10th) w/ completion of Personal Project
Expecting to graduate with Full IB Diploma (11th - 12th)

IB tests: (out of 7)
IB math 2 SL - 6
IB economics SL - 6
IB Spanish SL - pending
IB History HL - pending
IB Biology HL - pending
IB English HL - pending

12th grade schedule: (hardest possible schedule, except math which has one level above it)
AP Calculus
IB English 2
IB Theory of Knowledge
IB Global Studies (history) HL
IB Spanish 2 SL
IB Biology 2

ECs:

Certificate of Merit - Piano - lvl. 5
6 years experience in mallet instruments
National History Day (1 year) - regional finalist, state finals competitor
Quiz Bowl B Team - two years
Science Bowl C team captain - 1 year (going at it again this year, hope to make B team)
Science Olympiad B team member - 1 year (going at it again this year)
Member of National Forensics League (debate) - 2 years
won 1st place novice public forum debate at Yuba City HS Tournament
Quiz Bowl Officer: Tournament Chair 1 year (going at it again this year)
Model United Nations Officer: Treasurer (1 year)
Co-founder of UTSAV Youth Group
President of UTSAV Youth Group
Internship with UC Davis medical center Pathology dept. 100+ hours

Community Service:

approximately 230 hours comm. service
FLASH program - (2 years) mentoring/tutoring elementary/middle school kids
Library community service - (4 years) book shelving; upgrading children’s books record-keeping system on FPL library catalog; Summer Reading Program volunteer

UTSAV Youth Group (2 years) - organized coat drive for a local women's/children's shelter; organized Spring Clean-Up event for local park; organized fundraiser for same shelter listed above; organized cooking event for said shelter, currently organizing Christmas toy drive

Please tell me if I'll make it into the bio program! much thanks

enemyunit · 10-15-2009, 10:37 PM

bump (10char)

whycal · 10-16-2009, 02:21 AM

I say you're in. However, in my year, people with better stats were denied. It's really random with the Science and Engineering majors. I know it is kind of shady to be suggesting this, but applying under another major in letters in science, possibly under Humanities or Social Sciences would probably guarantee you acceptance. Good luck.

enemyunit · 10-22-2009, 01:54 AM

thanks for the input

that is troubling though...I was hoping UC Davis would be a safety/match hybrid school for me

enemyunit · 10-22-2009, 10:59 PM

bump 10char

emilsinclair9 · 10-27-2009, 07:00 PM

I would say you are definitely in!

GPA - average for UCD.
ACT - Fantastic, and balances out the GPA. Great job.
EC's/Comm. Service - Sufficient and it seems that you're pretty active.

I think you have a great shot at getting in. I'd say around 85% chance.

enemyunit · 10-27-2009, 10:16 PM

sweet, thank you for posting! =D

also, I don't know if you are familiar with UCSD's bio program, but I'll ask anyway:
UCSD's bio is impacted and super competitive...but it's rank 19 whereas UCD is rank 21-22. Is there any significant difference between the two schools' bio programs?

please let me know =]
thanks again

emilsinclair9 · 10-30-2009, 02:02 AM

I'm not too familiar with UCSD's bio program, but I am applying to both UCD and UCSD for fall 2010 as a Transfer student from a CC. I have TAG, so I'm in to both schools, but I have no idea which one I would pick if it came down to that. I'm a Psych major, and UCSD is better (10th) while Davis is (21st) or so, which is also great.

However, my best friend goes to UCSD, and one thing I know is that brilliant people (for the most part) go there and it is highly geared towards the life sciences. From what I've heard everyone is really friendly and the area is beautiful. I'm actually visiting on November 11 just so I can know for sure, and I'll def let you know how that goes too.

Davis seems to be beautiful as well, and I like the tranquility and peaceful/relaxed atmosphere. When I visited I could completely envision myself riding my bike there and walking through the paths and town.

Honestly, though, the difference for a Bio major 19th or 21st is practically the same. If you get in to both schools, which I definitely think you will, it's really important that you check out both campuses, and maybe even stay over for a night or two. The feel and relationship you experience at your campus is so important.

I'm hoping to get in to UCLA because it is the best in terms of prestige and for Psychology, but I've never visited, and if I don't feel comfortable there, I won't go even if I get in. Are you applying to UCLA too? I think you should. If you write a great personal statement, I think you could do it. I'm actually writing my second one now actually.

So, I'm applying to UCD, UCSD, UCLA, and UCSC as a backup (just in case something weird happens). Which ones are you applying to? UCD and UCSD are great universities, and you seem really motivated and excited about the process. No matter where you end up I think you'll do great. I just wish it was next fall already lol.

enemyunit · 10-30-2009, 08:53 PM

hey, so I've visited both UCD and UCSD. I agree with your description of Davis, it's super peaceful. San Diego is amazing though...beautiful campus, right next to a beach, and it's San Diego!!! The only negative aspect of San Diego is that they have the student body separated into 6 colleges, which sorta kills social interaction =/ Most of your friends would be the ones who are in the same college as you, and you can feel completely lonely in the middle of a crowd of ppl if they were from different colleges than you...so yeah.

I know San Diego is a pretty no-nonsense school though, people there take academics pretty seriously.

I'm applying to Berkeley (I have a small chance), Davis, SD, LA, and Irvine.

farouqghazzawi · 10-31-2009, 05:17 PM

you are soooooo in and UCD is way better than UCSD imo I'm gonna pick it over UCSD

emilsinclair9 · 11-02-2009, 12:40 PM

Farou, how come you feel that UCD is that much better than UCSD? I'm just curious. Personally I am unbiased and like both equally.

$KingsElite$ · 11-02-2009, 01:23 PM

When it came down to it, I was picking between Davis and UCSD too. I picked UCSD but here's what I'll add. If the bio programs are so closely ranked that probably means they're pretty much the same. Rankings are just rankings, nobody is ever 100% right and they use different criteria all the time. Also, visit both campuses, and make sure you see yourself living and go to school there for 4 years. This place is going to be your new home. And as far as the 6 college system goes, I really don't see how that kills social interaction. I meet people from the other colleges all the time. I really don't see how it's any different from other universities as far as social interaction goes. It's just like not being in the same housing area at any other university. You can meet and interact with these people all the same.

enemyunit · 11-02-2009, 08:01 PM

Hm, yeah good point kingselite. I visited both campuses, I like UCSD's feel a LOT more. The atmosphere is a lot more uplifted and positive whereas Davis is calm and serene. All right, good to hear that there is social interaction!!

By the way, how is San Diego? Night life? =D

haha, and do you think I'd get into UCD for bio, and UCSD for bio (impacted) or electrical engineering(unimpacted) ?

farouqghazzawi · 11-02-2009, 10:49 PM

I am unbiased but I just put "imo" you know just to put in my opinion, but the reason I say it's way better is that I got a better vibe at UC Davis, but I'll admit that UCSD is slightly more prestigous academicallly, see to me I'm pretty sure I'll also get in to UCSD but I will get into UCD (b/c I got ELC...) so I'm going to have a tough choice b/w the two. I just believe Davis is the most well rounded UC, but I could be wrong, I'm going down to see UCSD next weekend then I'm going to go up North to Cal and Davis in January. I guess I'm slightly biased in the sense that I'm pretty sure I'd rather go to Davis than UCSD b/c I believe its the best fit for me

emilsinclair9 · 11-03-2009, 08:31 PM

If you are going to UCSD somewhere in between Wednesday the 11th and Saturday the 14th of November, I'm visiting then. My best friend is in the Lambda Kai fraternity, and we're going to hit some parties and go to some classes. Let me know if you want to join, you're welcome to come.