UC app timing

Applying to College
1

I hear that applying to UC’s late in their application window is bad because you’ll be competing for less spots, is this true? I took the subject tests November 5th so I probably won’t get my scores back until the 25th, should I just wait or should I turn in my application and then send my scores later? Also, as a side note I’m taking Precalc honors online to replace the D I got in the class first semester of 10th grade. Could I send my transcript on the 15th along with my app and then later on the 29th could I send an updated transcript showing that I had retaken the first semester of precalc?

2

Submit your application when complete. You do not have to wait for your scores. Also do not wait until the last minute since the server has crashed in prior years. There is no advantage or disadvantage of submitting early or late. The UC’s will not even look at the applications until after the deadline Nov 30.

You do not send transcripts to the UC’s. If they are needed, they will contact you by email. Just report that you are taking the course on-line and it is in progress.

3

Wouldn’t submitting the application before I’m done with precalc be detrimental since?I thought I should submit the application after I’m done with precalc so the class could replace my D with an A and in return raise my gpa from 3.75 to a 3.875.

4

If you want to wait until the 29th to submit the course repeat grade that is fine but it is cutting it close. I do see you have a valid point due to the D. UC’s are not going to accept the transcript even if you send it however since they specifically state:

Don’t submit your transcripts to UC at this point, but refer to them as you fill out the application to ensure the information you enter is accurate.

5

You should read through the application information the UCs provide on their UC Pathways site because it provides many of the answers to the type of questions you are asking. As for some information.

  1. You must submit your application by Nov 30. There is no difference in advantage if you submit it Nov 1 as opposed to Nov 30. However, if you submit after Nov 30, you may as well consider yourself already rejected while applying because you will get in only if the UCs do not not have enough applicants by Nov 30 to fill their programs, and that is highly unlikely to happen.
  2. The UCs accept test scores through the December tests. You can send your Nov tests when you get the scores.
  3. UCs make most admission decisions based on grades through junior year. The GPA used is one that is based on sophomore and junior year grades (the UC Pathways site shows how it is calculated and if you have not reviewed that yet, it is likely that the GPA you mention above is not your GPA for admission to a UC). If you have the precalc final grade before you apply by Nov 30, provide it, but otherwise they do not want you to provide senior year grades after applying unless they make a specific request that you do so after seeing your application. What is important for your precalc course is to show you are taking it to make up for the D but do not assume that your grade in your current precalc course will be considered to determine admission, although the UCs may request that you submit the final grade before making an admission decision if you do not have the grade when you apply.. WIth the UC application, you self report your courses and grades through junior year and provide courses you are taking senior year. You do not send transcripts until after you are admitted.
  4. As far as process in evaluating your application, most of what will occur before Jan is to see if you have submitted required materials and see if you meet the minimum requirements for admission to a UC (also found on the UC Pathways site).
6

So I think I’ll submit my application on the 25th, that’s around when I’ll be done with my precalc online class and thats also when the sat subject test scores are released. This way I won’t have to do anything for the UC app after I submit it, I will be totally done and I’ll have 5 days as a safety before the deadline.

7

Sounds like a good plan.

8

I think you may have missed the score release date changes that College Board made just before the Oct test date. It moved to a later date all release dates for tests from Oct through next spring, and the Nov test is now Nov 29.

9

Okay well my online class is not being cooperative, they have set due dates for assignments and tests and they wont let me work ahead. If I finish the course around mid December could I modify my UC app to change my grade in the class from “in progress” to “A”. If I remember correctly UC’s don’t start reviewing the apps seriously until January

10

You can log in to your application to review and, if necessary, change your telephone number, e-mail, mailing address or SAT, ACT, TOEFL, or International Exam Scores.

If there are changes to your academic record…

Freshmen: If you change schools, add or drop a course, or fail to earn a C or better in a course after you submit your application, you must notify the UC Application Center by email or postal mail. Your correspondence must include your name, UC Application ID number and your signature (if you mail a letter), and will be available to all the campuses to which you applied.