cinnabon1234

Turns out, UCSC is a bit more specific about their conditions of admission. A lot of people have been saying that you only need to maintain a 3.0 weighted GPA in order to keep your acceptance to UCSC (as a freshman applicant). My 2nd semester senior grades dropped to a 2.667 unweighted (they held steady at 3.0 during my soph-junior year), but my weighted GPA was still a 3.50 (which was higher than my soph-junior weighted GPA). I didn't have any Ds or Fs, but I still got worried and sent in an explanation through the academic changes form and this is the reply that I got back in the mail:

"As you know, your admission was provisional based on the terms that were stated in your conditions of admission. You were expected to maintain the same level of academic performance that you demonstrated from 9-11th grade, throughout your senior year. Your unweighted GPA falls short of this expectation."

That pretty much says that UCSC doesn't care if you have a weighted GPA of a 3.0+... they want you to keep your overall academic performance at the same level (both weighted AND unweighted GPA). Luckily for me, there was another paragraph below that said:

"However, based on the explanation you have provided, I have decided to not cancel your admission to UCSC. I hope that your senior year grades are not an indication of your academic potential at UCSC. You are expected to utilize this exception to the best of your ability once you arrive on campus this fall."

So there you guys go... do NOT get complacent about your senior grades. That assumption about maintaining a 3.0 weighted just isn't true... if you were a 3.7 applicant, maintain that 3.7. If you were a 3.5 applicant, maintain that 3.5. I got lucky this time, but I sure as hell won't be messing with my grades again next time.

Hope this info helps others!

kejeros

Yikes! Just saw this after posting my thread. What did you say as your reasons for the grade drop in the e-mail to them?

I had a 3.8 weighted that dropped to a 3.0 weighted my second semester, so I might be done for. Thanks!

sribbleinc

does this apply for 4.0 students? That'd suck if they were rejected cause they got a B+... There still must be a minimum cut off right?

cinnabon1234

@kejeros: I think you really should contact the admissions office about your GPA. If your weighted is a 3.0, then I'm guessing that your unweighted is lower than a 3.0, so that's kinda bad. And I talked about personal hardships I'd rather not say on here. But you should definitely call UCSC/email them about your drop.

@sribbleinc: I don't know how they'll look at a 4.0 student who dropped to, say, a 3.6. You prolly won't get rescinded for that or it would be brutal.

cmedina7

My name is Carlos
"Thank you for submitting your High School Transcripts to the Office of Admissions. While processing your record we noticed a significant drop in grades during the final semester of your senior year.
Please provide us with a letter of explanation detailing the reasons for the drop in grades."
can somebody please help me if i am getting revoked??? I'm scared out of my life
2012 1st semester unweighted 4.0
2012 2nd Semester 3.0 unweighted please i need help !!!

cinnabon1234

You haven't been rescinded yet... but you're definitely teetering over the edge. The best course of action would've been for you to contact UCSC in June as soon as you got your high school grades (as I did), and provide a reason for the drop in grades. That would've shown UCSC that you were closely monitoring your terms of admission and were genuinely concerned for your admission. (I'm not saying that you aren't concerned right now, but it's always best for you to go to the UCs and point out a problem beforehand, rather than have them come up to you and ask you what's going on.)

The best thing you can do now is submit a letter like they asked. I can't say for sure if you'll get rescinded or not, but if you had a legitimate reason for the drop in grades (a hardship, etc), then you should be okay. Submit that letter ASAP and get it over with.

jleemd21

Hello, I am asking a question concerning this Forum. I have a GPA that is a 3.0 and I am going to be a senior this year. I know I can get a better GPA my senior year, but i AM worried that the Grades my senior year wont count in the GPA. Will UCSC look at my senior GPA and add that in to my GPA because i Know they only look at ur gpa from soph- junior year. Thanks!

meetthemets

For your application to the UCs, they will look at your grades from Soph and Junior year. Your Senior year grades most likely will not be ready yet, so they won't be included when you apply in November. However, the UCs have a holistic review so they don't just look at your grades, they look at your test scores, activities, and essays. They evaluate the complete picture, not just grades. Also some classes are weighted (AP classes) so they will increase your GPA. Best of luck with your applications - it's advisable to apply to a good variety of colleges so you can find one that fits your needs.