UCLA/CAL/Notre Dame

Chance Me / Match Me
1

Sooo… Class of 2016 High School Jr with a not so impressive transcript. Granted, I had issues sophomore year.

Classes/Semesters/Grades

Qualified Middle School Classes(Counts toward a-g reqs)
Algebra 1/2/A-A

Freshman Year:
PE/2/A-A
Computers/2/C-B
French/2/C-C
Honors Geometry/2/C±C
Honors English/2/C±C
Honors Biology/2/A-B+

Sophomore Year
Web Page Design/2/C-D+
Weight Training/1/D-
Film Study/1/B
Honors World History/2/C-B-
Honors English 2/2/B–B+
Algebra 2/2/D±C-
Chemistry/2/C–F

Junior Year(First Semester)
APUSH/1.5/A-A(3rd quarter)
APLANG/1.5/A-A
Spanish/1.5/B±A
Physics/1.5/B-B
Film Study/1.5/A-A
Algebra 2/1.5/D-C+

My weighted GPA as of now is 2.86(unweighted 2.44)
This is pretty pathetic.
However, I consider myself an excellent writer with exceptional oratory skills. My strongest courses are History and English, as I find interest in them. I figure that if my grades hold up throughout this semester, I can manage just a 3.0 weighted cumulative.
I plan on taking a Trig/PreCal class at the local Junior College during the summer so that I can take AP Calculus next year. Although my mathematical skills aren’t stellar, I realized that the only reason why was because I never really studied :confused: Studying really does go a long way.

My Senior Year Schedule figures to be:
AP Lit
AP Physics
AP Calculus
PE 2
Spanish 2
Gov/Econ(I would take AP but my school doesn’t offer it)

Looking at the admission statistics, only 47 students were accepted into Cal with a 3.0 GPA. I hope to differentiate myself from my peers by scoring high on the upcoming AP tests. I studied and took the SATs earlier this month. As far as extra curricular activities, this is my third year of baseball, 1st year of varsity, I volunteer at the local church as an usher, the rest of my time goes towards studying, homework, baseball, and housework.

Realistically, what are my chances of getting into these three colleges. Cal is my dream college. I aspire to attend law school.

I am aware that attending community college and then transferring, is an option, but I would like your opinion on what my chances are, and what I can do to improve them, especially with my current situation.

2

I think community collage first, is a more realistic approach for you.

3

“In order to be considered for admission, applicants must have earned a minimum GPA of 3.0 (3.4 for nonresidents) in all “a-g” courses completed in grades 10 and 11, with no grade lower than a C.”
Directly from the UC website, you can’t apply to any UC’s (includes all UC’s like Davis and Santa Cruz) because you don’t meet the minimum requirements.

4

@FranciscoTheBoss No chance at UC’s.

From the UC website about the a-g requirements:

Considering that you have D’s and F’s in some of your core courses (including two math courses, and chemistry) and since your GPA is nowhere near 3.0, I don’t think UC’s are the best option for you.

5

I’d try for a CSU and then transfer.

6

AP exam scores are not considered in admission decisions, they are only used for college course credit once you enroll in your choice college. You need to be realistic and realize that it will impossible to get into these schools with grades and as noted above, you have not passed all your a-g course requirements. Senior grades are also not taken into consideration by the CSU’s nor the UC’s. You might have a chance at some of the CSU’s with current stats, but if you are set on attending UCB/UCLA, going to a community college, proving you are capable to attain good grades and transferring is your best option.

7

Do you have any other compelling hook like URM/ first gen college student? Because outside of that (and maybe even with that), you need a backup plan. Cal and UCLA are really unrealistic with your GPA, sorry. Not sure about Notre Dame but I’m guessing similar.

8

The minimum WEIGHTED requirement is 3.0. I’m from California.
I would be a first generation college student, my ethnicity is 50/50 mexican and white.
Concerning the a-g requirements, I need 11 out of 15 with a c or better by the end of my junior year, Computers is considered a college prepatory class, and I made up a semester of algebra two (online) with a B. With that being said, I do have 11 out of 15 a-g requirements completed with a C or better.

Regarding your claim that AP test scores aren’t considered, that’s complete BS.

9

Yes, the minimum UC weighted for California UC’s is 3.0 but with that minimum you will be lucky to get into any UC except for possibly UC Merced and UC Riverside. You have stated your weighted GPA is 2.86, how is that the minimum? UCLA/UCB’s average weighted UC GPA around 4.2+. The applicants that get into these schools with a low GPA 3.0 are usually recruited athletes or have some other major hook. Your first generation status will be considered, ethnicity will not since CA publics banned affirmative action. URM status could help at Notre Dame. What you do not seem to realize is that your grades overall cannot compete with applicants that have had 4.0 all 3 years of their HS. Also schools will look at your grades in the AP courses more than your AP test scores. AP test scores are used to determine if you get college credit. Some very elite schools may consider AP scores significant, but the UC’s want to see take a rigorous HS schedule and do well in the classes.

Since you seem to feel you know more than many of the posters on CC, then why bother asking for chances.? I encourage to apply to these schools, but if you do, make sure you have some solid safety and match schools on your list or you may find yourself shutout next year with no options other a CCC to attend.

10

I’m sorry but you do not look to be competitive for admission to Notre Dame.

11

Longtime poster makes statement

“That’s complete BS”

I guess that’s what OP means when claiming to be “an excellent writer with exceptional oratory skills.”

12

Wow this environment sure is friendly.
What I mean, it’s 2.86 now, but by the end of the semester it will be just above 3.0

And the AP courses I have aced so far, so that would help. And what kind of SAT scores would be competetive to compensate with my GPA?

13

@FranciscoTheBoss I don’t know how UCs/CSU consider AP test scores, but many selective universities either don’t consider them or give some weight (often with GPA and test scores being a more determining factor). As Gumbymom said, AP test scores are typically only used for course credit and/or placement while in college.

Even if high AP scores helped in the admissions process, it seems like you are only taking two this year (unless you’re self-studying) - senior year AP’s will be far too late for admissions purposes.

14

I appreciate all the input I have received, thank you. I will apply to these schools, as I will meet min. requirements by the end of junior year. But I will also apply to some CSU and probably UCR and try to transfer. I know my chances are slim, but it’s always worth applying.

15

UC’s are very GPA focused so getting high test scores can help but may not be enough to compensate for your GPA. CSU’s however are Stat’s based so a high test score can compensate for a lower than average GPA. All CSU’s (except Cal Poly SLO) use the eligibility index and rank applicants based on the EI and major.

(CSU/UC GPA x800) + (SAT Math+ CR) or (CSU/UC GPA x200) + (ACT comp x10).

There are 23 CSU’s on which to choose. Your local CSU (in-service area) gives priority and usually requires a lower EI for an acceptance, so this CSU would make a good safety school (exceptions may be SDSU/SLO).

http://www.calstate.edu/sas/documents/CSULocalAdmission-ServiceAreas.pdf

CSU’s also superscore the SAT/ACT while UC’s will on take the highest single score from one sitting.

16

Thanks!