Really bad sophmore year but really good reason..is it good enough??

Applying to College
1

<p>So my sophmore GPA was 3.0 barely 1st semester,4 C’s a B and an A in Tennis. 2nd Semester 2.83, 3 C’s, 2 A’s and a D in Algebra 2 Honors. (Only reason my GPA wasnt super low was because of 2 AP classes I was in)
Junior year I got a 4.3 both semesters, 4 A’s and 2 B’s,(1st semester), 5 A’s and ONE C(That i HATED in english)</p>

<p>As you can tell its a BIG jump, it wasnt because I was lazy or partying or anything.
…
I was in a verbal, emotional and semi-physical abusive relationship, summer going in to sophmore and didnt get out of it until summer going into junior year and thats when it all changed, I found a voice and join my Speech and Debate team,(1st year I won over 8/9 awards and was a finalist for State Qualifiers, I plan on going to state next year) and well
I got a 1740 on my SAT’s but I’m studying all summer to get at least a mid 1800’s but shooting for 1900’s got a 25 on the ACT, SAT2 got a 710 in spanish and 560 in math2(retaking both and shooting for 750 in spanish and 700 in math)</p>

<p>also in total I’ve taken 4 years of Latin, President of my Latin club(11th)
MUN club officer(won 3 awards in MUN)(11th and 12th)
Clud officer for Speech and Debate(11th and 12th)
Senior Class VP(12th)
Other clubs: expanded horizons and Steps(sisters together encouraging progress and success)
RYLA winner(Rotary Youth Leadership Award) and co-founding an Interact club at my school
Over 250+ hours at a local family homeless shelter and volunteering/tutoring kids at my school during the summer for 3 summers, Organized a 3 days Thanksgiving dinner at the homeless shelter last year, handmade decorations, dinner and activities with the kids.
tennis all four years, varsity this year, MVP 2 years in a row and best volley last year, shooting for MVP this year too.
Worked for 6 months(Jan-Jun) tutoring a 7 year old boy who was thought to definately fail 1st grade and have to retake it and I help him pass, it was all because he thought he couldnt read and was a bad read and I just want to seriously touch every life in one way and I felt so accomplished doing this.
Leadership Camp at UC Berkeley this month
1st year generation to go to college, hispanic(dont think this helps)
I’ve taken 3 classes at a community college nearby, US History, Government, and Counseling all transferable to UC’s, going to take English 101 and Economics 101(transferable to UC’s) in fall
Taken 2 AP’s sophmore year, 3 Ap’s Junior Year and 3 Senior Year,
By graduation I will have taken:
4 Years Science(Bio Honors, AP Bio, AP Chem, AP Physics)
5 Years Math(taking Calculus AB at my school through a Cal State Fullerton program and earning the transferable college credit senior year)
4 Years Latin
5 Years History(Ancient Civ, AP Euro, plus Govt, Econ, and US history all at Community COllege)
5 Years English
Public Speaking and Psyhcology
International Relations(MUN class)
GPA 3.5 weighted
UC gpa 3.46</p>

<p>I seriously LOVE public speaking,
I want to one day be a philanthropist.
I am a strong advocate of not letting your past define your future.
I’ve gone from literally NO self-esteem(suicidal thoughts, cutting, depression, eating disorder) to a principcal honors roll student, wanting to make SOO much change in this world from all the corruption I’ve learned in my International Relations class and always the one speaking my mind, making new friends, brightening someone’s day. Making conversations with people who look like they’re having a bad day.
I am beyond independent, everything I’ve done was for me. I got myself out of that unhealthy relationship(with some support from friends but minimal because by this time they had already given up)
My parents know nothing of that relationship or everything I went through, I’m not really close to them, actually no one really knows except my 2 best friends, my new boyfriend(who is lliterally a prince charming, polite, caring, gentleman) and my speech and debate coach who is like a mother to me, other than that no one. Partically because I do not like pity so please do not pity me. I’m a fine healthy successful young lady now and the past is all behind me but sadly colleges look at ALL my high school career.</p>

<p>So dream schools, UCSB, UCD, UCSC
Chances of getting in? </p>

<p>(:</p>

<p>Ps. MUN=Model United Nations for those who dont know</p>

2

<p>usually you can get a guidance counseler to write a letter explaining the circumstances of your grades</p>

3

<p>But I thought UC’s dont accept letters and stuff??
Only private schools.</p>

4

<p>The UCs are not the right place to look if you’re looking for understanding about low grades. While they claim holistic review, their approach to admissions is largely formulaic. You also will not get a boost for being Hispanic at them.</p>

<p>If private colleges are an option, you may get more understanding from them.</p>

5

<p>Dont have the money for private school, Im low income</p>

<p>I looked at the point system though and I have the leadership, the 1st generation, the awards, over the A-G required classes, the community service, person challenges points</p>

6

<p>You are aware that california has two state school systems right?
you should look into CSU’s if money is really a problem</p>

7

<p>Yes I am aware of Cal States, but my dream is to go to UC’s and my parents will only financially support me if I get into a UC</p>

8

<p>you can always try for merit aid/non-merit aid at CSU and then transfer to a UC</p>

9

<p>4 years at a CSU though,
My chances are that low of getting into a UC?? :/</p>

10

<p>no, but your situation is not good for a UC considering they dont factor in freshman year leaving sophomore year weighted highly, also a 1740 is not in above the 25%-ile for the top UC’s unless you are considering riverside/merced/santa barbara/santa cruz</p>

11

<p>Im gonna studying all summer to get at least a 1900 and i know I can do it.
Im trying for santa barbara, santa cruz, and davies</p>

12

<p>It’s great the way you’ve taken so many community college and AP classes. It shows real ambition and hard work. Nail those standardized tests, make sure the rest of your grades are high, and you should be good.</p>

13

<p>Thank you!
Yea I’m gonna dominate my SAT’s and ACT’s :slight_smile:
Yes I’m planning to get straight A’s my senior year, but I heard they dont even look at senior year :confused:
And I know I can ace English 101 and Econ 101 at the CC</p>

14

<p>I believe the UC’s DO have a place on the application to explain anything that needs explaining…</p>

15

<p>Yea but is this a good reason to explain my sophmore year?? :/</p>

16

<p>And no, UC’s don’t look at senior grades.</p>

17

<p>The relationship problems might be an okay excuse…include it because it can’t really hurt you if you state it well enough, but it definitely won’t make up for that entire year.</p>

<p>EDIT: oops, must not skim!</p>

18

<p>Dont UC’s look at first semester senior year grades? just to see how you’re doing?</p>

19

<p>*my parents will only financially support me if I get into a UC *</p>

<p>if your parents are low income, how are they going to support you if you go to a UC? How much would they pay? </p>

<p>And, why will they only help with a UC? What if you don’t get accepted to a UC, the what will they say?</p>

20

<p>My dad has land in another country worth a lot(about 15,000) he was going to sell that but only if I went to one of the top 15 universities in California, all UC’s mainly.
they wont pay for room and board if I go to a Cal State, only a UC
so I’m gonna be stuck having to work to live in an apartment</p>