So I’m 15 years old and I moved to the US from the UK at the beginning of junior year. I found out that UC’s only look at your grades from 10-11th grade. I completed 10th grade back in the UK. However, because the education system is COMPLETELY different there, my grades consisted of B’s, C’s and a D…or two. Ever since I’ve moved to the US:
Junior Sem 1:
Spanish I: B
Geometry: B
US History: B
Video Production: A
Chemistry: B
English III: B
Bare in mind that I didn’t have the opportunity to take any AP or Honors classes. Also, because in the UK I studied Maths in general -and not specific topics-, I just told my school what topic I haven’t learnt (Geometry) and put me in there. The same goes for Science. Also, that semesters’ grades were low due to the fact that I was absent for 2 weeks and had to fly back to London because my grandmother fell extremely ill (she’s all good now 
). Also, it was my first semester ever at a US high school. My second semester classes, and grades are predicted to be:
Junior Sem 2:
Spanish I: A
Geometry: A
US History: A
Video Production: A
Chemistry: A/B
English III: A
So basically my chances of applying to the UC that I want and getting accepted, straight after high school have lessened because of my move. I’m leaning a lot towards the route where you enroll in a CCC and transfer to a UC. I’ve enquired a lot of people in my classes about it and they said that they were going to do that too. I’m taking the new SAT on May 7, but I feel like I lost a bit of motivation because my grades from the UK are just going to ruin my chances of getting into a good UC straight after high school. I emailed the UC admissions office and told them about my situation, they said that they have a group of professionals who understand different countries and their education systems…and they said “don’t worry”, which I thought was a really kind gesture. But I still feel like I wouldn’t have a great chance. My plan is, that if I don’t get into the UC that I want straight after high school, then I will enroll at a CCC and transfer to either UCB or UCI to pursue a major in Business Administration. Any advice or tips? Thanks.