Quote:
Originally posted by IowaHawkeye
I heard that California schools look a lot more at and weight community service, activities involvement, and extra curricular stuff very heavily. is that true?
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Well, supposedly, here is how UC does admissions:
1) most importantly, grades and strength/rigor of classes taken (APs, honors, etc...they especially look at the context you are in...does your school only offer 2 APs or 20 APs?). Also, if there is marked improvement between soph and jr years, and a strong senior year (as in, classes taken). In addition, if the applicant has taken more courses than required by UC.
2) Test scores
3) Essay
4) Activities and honors...especially leadership positions. Special talents, work experience, perseverance in overcoming obstacles, significant community service
5) If you come from disadvantaged environments, that is a plus
So, yes, activities are extremely important. I know this guy who was rejected from UC Berkeley who had a 4.2 GPA and a 1500 SAT score, with 700+ on all three SAT IIs, but had little activities to put on his app. On the other hand, this guy with a 3.5 and above average test scores (but not stellar ones) got in but held many leadership positions. But, grades and test scores are much more important to UC than are activities. The essay is also much more important than activities.
This is from what I've read and heard from the UC Admission counselors.
Oh, and thanks for the congratulations Iowahawkeye!
