Lowest GPA accepted to UC Berkley, UCLA, UC Davis, etc...

Archive State Forums
1

Hi everyone,

Is there any stories from previous years where low stats (low GPA & SAT/ACT) got into Berkeley, UCLA, UC Davis, UCSD, etc?

My grades and SATs were not that good because my time is mainly centered around taking care of my older brother with disabilities. I’m starting my college application this fall, and I’m extremely nervous. I just want to have some slimmer of hope and support from others out there.

Please help yourself to post…real stories only! Please don’t give any false information.

2

What are your stats? An essay addressing your situation with your brother could make an impact on your chances.

3

I saw a 3.07 transfer accepted with a math major off of the waitlist, but that was probably an exception and not the rule.

4

http://www.universityofcalifornia.edu/infocenter/freshman-admissions-summary says that, for the lowest normally-UC-eligible HS GPA range of 3.00-3.39, the frosh admit rate was:

1% at Berkeley
2% at Davis
4% at Irvine
1% at Los Angeles
60% at Merced
28% at Riverside
1% at San Diego
2% at Santa Barbara
19% at Santa Cruz

They all show 1-2% admission rate for HS GPA range of 0.00-2.99 (except Santa Cruz at 8%), but it is likely that these admits (whose HS GPA is below the 3.00 that is the usual minimum) are all recruited athletes or other special admits. Of course, those few who get admitted to the more selective campuses with HS GPA in the 3.00-3.39 range may also be recruited athletes or other special admits.

http://www.universityofcalifornia.edu/infocenter/transfer-admissions-summary shows similar information for transfers.

5

Thank you all for replying!

I have around a 3.8 weighted gpa. I took the SATs twice and got around an 1800. I’m planning to take it a 3rd time in Oct. to get above a 2000. I have taken 6 APs so far, AP Human Geo sophomore year and AP English, AP US History, and AP Psychology junior year. I’m taking AP Econ for my senior year. I invest most of my time in caring for my brother since he needs daily supervision. I plan to major in law, and I have interned at government offices and stuff like that. I volunteer at disability centers for more than 2 years, and I partake in some clubs at school. I don’t know if i have any chances since there are a lot of people who have high GPAs and do a lot of extra-curricular activities.

6

I’ll play.
DS got accepted to UCSD with 3.22 UW, 3.45 W, 3.7 UC gpa and 35 act. However, it was for ICAM (visual arts) which required an art portfolio for admission so his portfolio probably and act probably offset the lower gpa. Also got accepted to UCSC in comp sci and rejected from Uci CS and rejected from Ucla DMA (visual arts with port requirement)

7

I have a 3.23 gpa I just applied to UCI/Riverside/merced/ Santa Cruz? I have a sat score of 850… a lot of ec. and clubs is there any hope for me making it to any? Im currently panicking

8

There is no harm in applying but, be sure to apply elsewhere as well. With a 3.23 and 850, perhaps Sonoma State, SF and Sac are also worth an ap.

9

@ddcrane Panicking is not useful. Have you also submitted CSU applications?