Chance me for UCs and USC

Archive State Forums
1

17-year old male, Dad is German and Mom is Mexican. I’m also gay if that affects anything.

I am a citizen of the state of California.

Low middle class, only one income from my mom who is a single parent (has been since 2008). Two other sisters, I’m the oldest.

UC GPA:

Weighted: 4.04 (upward trend)

UW: 3.72

Scores:

ACT: 33

Subject tests: World History (750), United States (740)

APs: World History, US History, English Lang and Comp, Environmental Science, Human Geo (self-study), Macroeconomics (self-study), Microeconomics (self-study), Comparative Government (self-study), got 5’s on all of them except for Micro which was a 4, currently taking American Lit, Statistics, American Gov, Psychology, Spanish Lang.

Intended field of study: International Relations (for this USC is my number 1 choice). If schools don’t offer the major, most likely History or Sociology/Anthropology.

Took an Anthropology class at a local college over the summer and got an A, tutor at my school’s library. Currently taking a Sociology class at the same college for the fall.

ECs: Marching Band (three years, couldn’t do it my freshman year), Color Guard (two and a half years), co-captain for Color Guard team and a member of Student Band Council, 100+ volunteer hours from an animal shelter, have a part-time job, tutor at my school’s library, member of American Cancer Society, Armenian Club (I’m not Armenian), and Senior Council. Member of Mock UN.

Essays: Writing about my father’s death about a year ago and how it affected me as a person and my outlook on life (I hadn’t seen my father in five years and the last time I spoke to him was when I was 12, so it was very strange to hear about his death and I think it affected me differently then someone whose dad was around would have been affected)

Expressing my creative side through color guard, the challenges I faced in leadership, being the only guy in color guard (only mention this like once)

My passion for history, why I find it so interesting and engaging, how I relate it to my intended major.

LORs: Band Director (commends me for being in color guard knowing how judgmental much of the band is (or was), known him since I was a freshman), AP Lang teacher (had her for 11th grade Lang and I TA her class as a senior, loves me and says I am a good writer), Director of the animal shelter I apply to.

2

Forgot to add some stuff:

Classes Senior Year: AP Lit, AP Stats, AP Psych, AP Government, AP AP Spanish, Intro to Sociology at local University

Hooks:
LGBTQ+? if that even counts
Dad passed away (it feels weird saying it’s a hook…I feel guilty talking about it, I don’t want to feel like I’m using it to increase my chances, but it definitely did affect me as a person as we got more in touch with my dad’s family (we have three half siblings we hadn’t seen in years) and did change my outlook on life)

3

I’d say you have a good shot at most of the UCs because I know a ton of people who went to UCB and USC and if anything your college app is similar to theirs if not better. Just make sure your essays are very good- they should tell a story that will make your admissions officer remember you. Good luck!

4

i agree - you are a strong applicant. The top UCs are a slight reach but, the other 6 are likely to accept you. I’d add - UCs are finicky - don’t be surprised if you get one or two rejections even with your qualifications.
good luck.

5

Please note that “hooks” are not something you make up.
Hooks are usually standard and are something the university needs like:
URM (African-American, Native American, Pacific Islander, Hispanic)
*Athletic recruit
*legacy
*first generation
*celebrity or international status
*large donor (think over $10 million)

My condolences for your family.