UC Admission by Exception Chances

UCException
Sat, 13 Nov 2010 00:07:14 +0000

Hello, I’m a California resident and really hoping to go to a UC by applying for admission by exception. (I know many of you are going to tell me to try going to a CSU but I REALLY want to try for a UC)

The reason I’m applying for admission by exception is because I grew up with only my mother and little brother. I come from a low income family, my mother only makes 19k annually. In the 9th grade, my mother was diagnosed with cancer and was unable to work, our house was almost foreclosed. I had to get a part time job and work after school to try and make money for monthly payments as well as watching over my little brother (taking him to school, babysitting, etc.) Due to this, my grades started to drop resulting in an extremely low GPA. This experience, however, gave me responsibility that is rare for other kids my age and has taught me alot about life. I hope to address these issues in my personal statement.

Stats:
Male, Asian (Vietnamese)
CA Resident
12th Grade
First generation American

Academic GPA Non-weighted: 2.62
Weighted GPA: 2.72
APs: Environmental Science (2 on AP Test), Calculus AB (In Progress), Biology (In Progress)
Honors: Chemistry, American Literature
School doesn’t rank students.
My GPA for sophomore year was 3.5 and 3.1 (1st/2nd Semester), I received C’s in both semesters of chemistry.
I started working after 1st semester of sophomore year and I received straight D’s first semester of Junior Year (1.6 GPA), second semester my grades went up but only slightly (2.3 GPA)

ACT with Writing: 28 Composite (Took twice, received 28 on both)

SAT2:
Ecological Biology - Just took
US History - Just took
Math II - Just took

Intended Major: Computer Science
Alt Major: Cognitive Science

Extracurriculars/Activities:
Boy Scouts (Since age 7, will obtain Eagle in about 3 months)
Marching Band (Grade 9-12, Section Leader for Saxophones)
Key Club (11-12)
Community service (300+ hours)

2 Jobs:
Sales Associate at Furniture store (Summer before sophomore year)
Intern at Wave Systems Corp., a software engineering company. (2nd semester Sophomore year to present)

My mom was able to start working again so our total income is about 24,000 annually.

I’m really hoping to get accepted at UC Santa Cruz or UC Riverside. Do I stand any chance?
Thanks.