LSkaiWalk

Hi,

UCSC is one of the colleges that I would like to attend.

I am currently a sophomore at a great public school.

Sophmore Year:

World History Honors: B / A
Spanish Year 2 Honors: B / C
Physics Honors*: B / B
Math Analysis (Pre Calculus): C / C
English Honors: B / B

* = UC Weighted

I took a rather rigorous course load and got a bout a 3.0 UC GPA. This is what I am planning to take next year.

AP Chemistry*
English Honors*
Statistics
U.S. History
Graphic Design
Virtual Business

* = UC Weighted

This schedule will be probably even easier than my sophomore year. I am taking easy classes to raise my GPA. I'll probably get a UC GPA of 4.0-4.333. It can get me an upward trend.

AP Chem is considered one of the easiest APs at our school.

English Honors is also pretty easy because most of the A and B kids in honors this year are going into AP.

I had terrible teachers in Spanish, and there is no way I could do a third year.

Our school only offers AP Calc, which is known to be ridiculously hard, and Stats, which is known to be easy. I'm thinking about maybe taking Calc later at Community College.

With barely studying at the beginning of this year I got a 176 on the PSAT. I can probably raise that a couple hundred points if I study and prepare for it, which I will have time for with an easy schedule. I also want an easy schedule so I can play lots of tennis, I am pretty sure I will make varsity.

Varsity Tennis

70 Hours Community Service
40 of those hours are in another country.

In State

So, what will be my chances for SC if I graduate in '10. Also, can I get some recommendations and advice for how I could change my schedule or anything that could increase my admissions chances. I still have lots of time. Am I on track and making the right choices? Tips for how I can improve chances for SC and other UCs and other colleges?

Responses would be greatly appreciated.

LSkaiWalk

I'm not sure what I am doing is smart. Would the UCs look down upon me taking easy classes and owning them, or would they really like the 4.0, and upward trend?

It's not like I am taking all normal classes, I am taking an AP and an honors, but still, just making sure.

bananaslug

i got in at the bare minimum. your good. just dont F up and you'll be good.

quadruple

I had just over a 3.0, and I was able to get a TAG with Santa Cruz (Transfer Admission Guarantee). Don't know if your school has that available but you should check into it. It takes a LOT of pressure off, you just have to make sure you pass all your classes, which shouldn't be too hard. They have TAGs for other UCs, too.

LSkaiWalk

Thanks, what do you mean TAG? Isn't TAG only for transferring from a community college? I would be interested in that. If I did TAG would I have to attend UCSC? Please tell me more about this, I haven't heard anything from my school about it.

More and all feedback is very much appreciated. Thanks.

CaliGirlKate

TAG is only for transfer students as far as I know. So it's good if you go to a community college first. Other UC's also use TAG. It sounds like you're thinking about going straight from high school though, so it wouldn't apply to your case.

From what I can tell you look good. I don't really know specifics on questions you asked about classes or chances, since I just really know about transfer.

LSkaiWalk

Thanks,

I am coming from HS, I am not in CC.

bananaslug

looks like your good, seriously. i really had nothing going for me, i didnt take hard classes, i just racked up loads of community service and had a 3.5. my sat scores werent all that impressive and my essays kinda sucked (dont let your mother look at them. or write them. they will change EVERYTHNG)

the only concern is precalc but thats a harrddd class and you did well in everything else. as long as you keep everything above a 3.0 your good. also, do more community service and work experience.

quadruple

Oh, oops! Sorry, I didn't realize you were HS.

luckyoleery

Precalc shouldn't be too big of a concern for you. I had a C first semester and a D second semester, but I got into UCSC as well as other UCs such as Davis and Santa Barbara. I made up for it with lots of AP classes and a 2010 on the SAT. You're definitely on the right track.

LSkaiWalk

No problem.

More feedback would always be nice.

aznpride17

I'm a senior who got admitted to UCSC.

Grades were mostly A's and a few B's across the board except
C's in Spanish II and Algebra II 2nd semester
I dropped Spanish III cause it wasn't my cup of tea...

I got a 3.4 GPA at a 1710 SAT
with a few extra college courses to help my GPA
Business Management: B
Marketing: A
American Sign Language I : (not sure yet...probably an A)

extracurriculars...
Drum Corps: Blue Devils B (hard to explain)
Varsity Track
Rec Soccer

Volunteer work
Interact Club District 5160

Inbound for College 9

Since you are a sophomore...i suggest you do big things with your summer breaks and weekends.
Why?
Because in the UC essay...a lot of people who enjoyed their weekends had trouble finding an interesting topic to write about. Find something important that you are passionate about so that you can write a good essay down the road.

Good luck

LSkaiWalk

thanks, any more adivice?