Which UC GPA is this? There are three (UW, W Capped, W Uncapped). Make sure you calculate all three. Remember to include your CC classes in your calculations.
So this is something you did primarily in middle school?
Presumably you’ve already applied to all of these, since the deadline has passed. Are you simply looking for reassurance that you’ll get in to some of the schools on your list (and yes, you should get into some, especially if you applied to ALL UCs)… or are you looking for suggestions for other schools to apply to in the RD round?
From the above tool, here is a screenshot of GPA ranges for life sciences majors at each campus from the most recent year that the tool has data (2024):
I would say UCM safety, UCR and UCSC likely, UCD target or low reach, and the rest would appear to be reaches. (And keep in mind that UC is holistic, so reach doesn’t mean you can’t or won’t get in… just less likely.)
Yes you have a chance if you applied. The admissions, at the UCs, are often unpredictable. If you don’t get into one, it doesn’t mean you won’t get into another one.
You definitely have a chance. UCLA is going to be tough since they often seems to be one of the most stats-driven and your GPA is wee bit low. But it’s not impossible. UCR you have a strong shot at, UCI and UCSD are also going to be tough, but not out of the question. UC Merced is a sure shot, UC Santa Cruz is also highly likely. If you applied broadly, you should be fine.
From all of my research into similar questions, for Cal Poly SLO it is strictly major based. You can look up how many students applied last year, how many they want to target, then multiply that by 2x or 3x because of their yield rate is estimated at 1/3. One thing I have found in my research for the same school is that some majors have high yield so the admittance probably wont even be 2x, for others it will be higher.
For UC my research showed me a few things.
The most important factor to UC acceptance is to apply
The next most important factor is how you actually fill out the application to tell your story. People who really articulate their story well in their PIQs and activities get accepted to UCLA and UCB even with GPAs much lower than the 25%-75% they show. That’s why it is 25%-75%. Its after December 1st so its after the application deadline but for anyone else reading this for next year, control what you can with your grades, but start thinking about your 20 activities and awards and how that all reflects what you intend to do. Do these relate to your major, start thinking about that.
GPA is also important, but the least of the factors since everyone seems to have very high GPAs, thats why the way you write the application and the activities is so important. Use every character and tell the important stuff. Tell the impact and reflect, not just what you did. They want to hear your genuine voice, and in all the feedback I received it was always “ATFQ” as my dad who was a Marine Corps staff sargent would always say before he passed. Its an interview, not an essay. Someone is going to spend 8-10 minutes evaluating something you will spend months on, or at least something you should spend months working on.
Good Luck to all applicants. I am excited to see my results and hope you all see value in whatever results you achieve. I don’t have “perfect” grades but I am proud of my grades and am hopeful my work on the various aspects of the application will show my strengths and who I am. The UC app was the most satisfying to work on because I felt like it actually reflected me, as opposed to the CSU app which is really unfortunate in how they disregard the whole applicant and just focus on GPA and course rigor.
@frosh2026, in general I agree with your emphasis on “how you actually fill out the application to tell your story,” but I’m concerned some students may get anxious about these two points:
Students don’t need to have 20 activities and awards. It’s fine to list fewer than 20; the application itself says “quality over quantity.” Focus on listing the ones that are meaningful and/or impactful.
It is okay if your activities don’t relate to your major. Many students change direction multiple times during high school and college, or might just have broad interests; this may lead to a collection of activities that don’t obviously relate to your major. That is okay and normal. Do what is right for you.
In any case, since both of you have already applied, good luck to the OP and to you!
That makes alot of sense. My apologies. I was just thinking that based on what I have read from other posters and from watching the UC admissions videos they have posted on youtube from admissions officers like Davis for example. I guess i would ammend what I said to suggest other kids start building a resume of awards and activities as soon as possible. Someone recommended that to me and it was helpful for me when it came time to fill out the activities section. Without that I probably would have forgotten some of my activities that I am glad I included.
