Chance me for UC's (It's Been Rough)

Chance Me / Match Me
1

My name is Harsh and I was born in India and raised in America from the age of 2. Neither of my parents went to an American University and so me and my older brother are the first. I go to a distinguished school called Torrey Pines High School. Here are my grades.

Grades:

Sophomore Year Semester 1:

Computer Programming A
Symphonic Band A
Honors English 10 C
Honors Pre-Calc D
Chemistry C
AP World History: C

Sophomore Year Semester 2:

Computer Programming A
Symphonic Band A
Honors English 10 B
Honors Pre-Calc C
Chemistry B
AP World History: C

Junior Year Semester 1

AP Computer Science A
AP US History A
AP Physics 1 A
AP Calc B
English 11 A
Wind Ensemble B (yeah a B in band due to missing a concert)

Junior Year Semester 2 (what will almost certainly happen)

AP Computer Science A
AP US History A
AP Physics 1 A
AP Calc B
English 11 A
Wind Ensemble A

So it’s obvious to see that I was a real loser in sophomore year. I think I did a pretty good job of raising my grade though I doubt it will make up for my disappointing 10th grade.

Standardized Tests

SAT - 1990
Math - 670
Reading - 670
Writing - 650

I plan on taking the ACT and the new SAT as well. (I am probably capable of a 2100 at this point after studying)

EC’s

  • I took band for 4 year's, though I don't know if that counts really
  • Played Rugby from freshman to sophomore year but had to stop junior year
  • Take care of my older brother
  • 20 hours tutoring elementary school kids
  • President of a 10 member physics club

Let me explain, my brother has an extreme case of Cerebral Palsy and everyday I have 20 minutes to walk home in order to receive him from his bus, then I have to feed him every 3 hours and give him medicine through a tube in his stomach and sometimes I am responsible with changing his adult diapers. Both my parents work long hours in order to live where we do. Due to my responsibilities at home I had to quit rugby and stop volunteering at an elementary school. I feel like since I can’t leave my house oftentimes I don’t have time to regularly volunteer so I’m less likely to be accepted.

In conclusion I had a pretty great upward trend in my grades, my SAT score is kinda awful and I hope to improve it, and I don’t think I will be able to do much more volunteering.

Schools I want to go to:
USCB
UC Irvine
UC Davis
UCLA
Cal Poly
USC
UCSC

I don’t know many colleges outside of the UC’s but I would just like to go to schools of this level, not the tippy top like Yale and Princeton but nonetheless quality schools (I have very study focused parents who want me to go to schools with a good name).

Majors of interest:
Physics
Engineering
Law(?)

I just recently found out I got a B in band so I’m really self-conscience about my academics now. Also is it possible to apply to a college for a certain major and then switch after you are accepted? Is this frowned upon because I am really unsure of what I want to major in right now, I’m interested in physics but I’ve never taken physics in college so I don’t know If I can handle it.

2

Hello!

Firstly, have you retaken that first semester of precalculus? D and F grades are not acceptable for UC admission unless they have been retaken or validated.

To be honest, I feel that UC Riverside is going to be your best bet. UC Santa Cruz might appreciate your upward trend in grades, but even they have become more competitive as of late. However, your circumstances are very compelling, and might evoke sympathy from admissions committees.

Additionally, I cannot recommend physics as a major if you have a B in AP Calculus, unless you receive a 5 on the exam. Don’t worry though, STEM majors are not the be-all and end-all of academic success.

I wish you the best of luck, and I very much hope that you are accepted to this school that is best for you!

3

I was told that for math and world language classes a D first semester would be cleared but by a C second semester. Is this not the case anymore?

4

@GermanLabrodor: You are correct in that a C 2nd semester will validate the D, however unless you retook the 1st semester, you D grade is calculated into your UC GPA and you do not get any extra honors points for that semester. Your UC GPA with the grades listed is 3.58 UC Weighted (capped with 8 semesters of Honors/AP points), 3.25 UC unweighted. What is your cumulative unweighted GPA 9-11th for USC? Average unweighted for USC is around 3.8 and your SAT score is below average…

Your UC GPA is currently below average for all the UC’s except UC Merced. Your SAT score is on target for several of the UC’s, but I agree with @jacoyu19 that UCR along with UCSC/UCM would be your best bets. You have a compelling story to tell in regards to your brother, so that may help your chances along with your upward grade trend. Unless you retook the D, it will be difficult to get into most of the UC’s on your list along with USC.

Depending upon your major, Cal Poly SLO will also be a Reach but Cal Poly Pomona could be a Match. You need to aim a bit lower and remove some of the Reach schools on your list and add a few more Match schools like Cal state Long Beach and Fullerton and maybe San Diego State.

Do your parents know the kind of grades and GPA, you currently have? Maybe they can help you find some schools with a “good name” based on your stats.

You really need to take a Physics class before you jump into a Physics major and I wish you good luck.

5

what would i need to do to have a good chance at getting into UC Santa Barbara? It’s my dream school. I’m taking physics ab right now and I have a 98 and I plan on taking another physics class next year.

6

Additionally, are you a US permanent resident, or considered international? Since you have been in an American high school, you’ll get in somewhere, but the cost may hurt you.

7

yes I am a permanent resident

8

I have an explanation for my poor grades leading up to junior year, my dad worked for my grandparents. Out whole family was reliant on them because they owned a company which my Dad worked for which allowed us to get a green card for citizenship, its been 14 years we have been waiting paying thousands of dollars and remaining in almost slave-like employment. A little less than a year ago with support from some family friends we sued my grandparents and my dad started investing in property. This was possible because we qualified for asylum because of the condition my brother is in. My Dad’s new job allowed allowed for him to be home a lot more often to take care of my brother. With my new-found time I was able to focus on my studies and not the dread of being deported or living out of a van. With my far less depressed outlook on life I did a lot better junior year.