<p>I know that GPA is very important in the admissions process, but is it even more critical when applying to the UC system? I had a very poor freshman year, and while I still have two semesters left before I send in my applications I don’t think it will be possible to bring it up past a 3.6. Now, granted I am taking mostly AP classes and earning As in all of them. Next year as a senior I will be taking six AP courses and I have no doubt I will do very well. I also attended one of the most prestigious, if not the most prestigious, private schools in my area for a number of years (until an illness forced me to move to a school closer to home). They weighted things very differently from my current school, so my GPA (which before was a 4.11) tanked to a 3.3 when I switched schools.</p>
<p>My question really boils down to this. Will the admissions committee at, for instance, UCLA take into consideration the minute details of my case specifically and really give my application a wholistic treatment, or is there a greater chance they will look at my GPA and throw my application in the reject pile? I’m looking very seriously at four UC schools, not just UCLA, so this applies to them as well.</p>
<p>And also, how much more difficult is it for an out-of-state resident to gain admission to a school like UCSB? With my history and background (and course load), even though I haven’t provided much information, what do you think my chances would be at UCSB? </p>
<p>Thank you so much for your help!</p>