Unweighted gpa:3.63
Weighted gpa:4.03
UC gpa: 3.9
Ethnicity: Chinese
I made a mistake in selecting my sophomore year classes: AP calculus AB, AP Biology, and English honor (however, my school doesn’t count this as an honor class)
I got a 3.0 first semester and 3.33 second semester with 4 B+'s 
However, in my junior year, I took AP calculus BC and AP computer science, Honors Chem and U.S history
SAT I: 2250 (will take again in October, aiming for 2350)
SAT II: Chemistry 800
Physics 800
Math II 800
Biology 750 (I’m still deciding if I should send it or not)
ACT: 34
Extracurricular:
I just became the leader for a hospital junior volunteer program. I’ve been volunteering there since sophomore year.
Band: sophomore-senior year
My school’band is ranked top in South California
Newspaper/Journalism: writer (junior and senior year)
I’m in 2 clubs. 1 for 3 years, 1 for 4 years
However, no leadership positions
Is it possible for me to get into any of decent UC’S? (Besides UC riverside, Merced etc.)
Or USC?
Sorry! Forgot to mention
Major: Financial mathematic/ financial engineering
I got all 4/5s for the AP exams, and I will be taking 4 AP classes in my senior
Good job in getting your GPA up after Sophomore year. Your test scores are very competitive and could make up for the GPA dip. I think you have a good chance at UCI/UCD. UCSD will be a slight reach but no reason not to apply. I would add UCSB, UCSC and you can try USC/UCLA/UCB if you can afford the application fees. Write some great essays and hope for the best. Good Luck.
Not sure those schools have your major.
After doing some research, this is what I found. Never heard of this major before.
UCD has a Mathematical Analytics and Operations Research major.
UCSB has a Financial Mathematics and Statistics major
UCLA/UCB/UCSD offer a Financial Engineering as a graduate major.
UCI has a Mathematics Major with a Concentration in Mathematical Finance
Another reason that my grades in sophomore year grades were that bad is because I joined marching band that year, and it took up at least 6 hours a week outside of school for the whole first semester, should I mention it in my essay or would college see it as unable to manage time and think I won’t be able to do well in college either?
Thanks! I think Financial Mathematic is generally a graduate school major, so I’ll do more research on major related to it in undergraduates
Actually I’d say you have a pretty good chance for all listed schools, your scores are very strong. La and Berkeley and Reaches tho, but you might as well try.
You’ve got a solid shot at the schools you list but, you never know. Be sure to apply to a couple of schools you are certain will accept you.
I’m really worried because of my poor gpa and I feel like I don’t have strong Extracurricular activities like others… Is there anything I can do to improve my chances?
A leadership position in a club or something would be an above average EC that could help you. Other than that just keep your grades up. You have solid test scores but your GPA could hold you back from the higher tier UC’s