<p>What are my chances of getting into a UC if my GPA is really low (like below 3.5), but I have high SAT scores and solid extracurriculars?</p>
<p>How high and how solid?</p>
<p>2040 so far, but i’m planning on retaking. board positions in 2 clubs. top ten at nationals for ice dance 3 years in a row…</p>
<p>Get 2200+ on the SAT and UCSB might accept you. The other mid-tier and high-tier UCs are unlikely though. Here are my stats and results:</p>
<p>3.66 unweighted GPA, 4.29 fully weighted GPA, 4.00 capped UC GPA
2300 SAT score
800 on SAT Math II, 740 on SAT Physics
5 on AP Calculus AB exam, 5 on AP Calculus BC exam
IB courses
Good extracurriculars but not as good as your top ten for ice dance.
California resident
Rejected by UCB, UCLA, UCSD, and CPSLO for computer science
Waitlisted by UCD for civil engineering
Waitlisted by UCI for computer science
Accepted by UCSB, UCSC, and UCR for computer science
Attending UCSB</p>
<p>I deserved these rejections/waitlists because my GPA was not even close to the average.</p>
<p>I think your EC will definitely set you apart, but from my experience with UCB personally, grades matter alot. In fact, probably more than alot of the other colleges I have seen. Keeping that in mind, I’m not sure how much of a chance you have, but you do have one, so be hopeful!</p>
<p>For the Upper Tier UC’s: UCLA/UCB/UCSD you would have a low chance for acceptance.
For the Mid-Tier UC’s: UCI/UCSB/UCD, your best chance would probably be UCSB like @Mangiafuoco stated since UCSB will be more forgiving for Low GPA with a High SAT. UCD and UCI could go either way.
For UCSC/UCR/UCM: They would be Matches.</p>
<p>Good Luck.</p>
<p>thank you everyone.</p>