California parents- tips for applying to college?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:What’s the deal with “rigor” for UCs ? It seems that the top UCs require 4.0 GPA, but they’re flexible when it comes to rigor. Any thoughts or personal experience? I know kids selectively leveling down to CP to get the easy A’s!

They are comparing kids at the same high school when it comes to rigor. They don’t want to penalize students who are at schools where not many AP classes are offered. But if you are at a school with many honors/AP classes and aren’t taking them, then it is counted against you.

It comes down to the top 9% rule for the in-state UC applicants. If you're in the top 9% of students in the state, you're guaranteed a place at one of the colleges.

No it doesn’t come down to that.

It really does. It says so all over the UC websites in the admissions information section. If you think it doesn't, please do explain how and why.

Sure. The guarantee offers an admission to “a” campus. It’s usually not a top UC. It’s often Riverside or Merced or Santa Cruz,

Admission to UCLA and Berkeley is much more nuanced. Driven by GPA and apparently PiQ’s. If you meet the GPA requirements, it can seem like a lottery with no discernible patterns.

Is that not the case at your kid‘s school? Most families in CA agree on the “lottery” nature of UCs.

Share your experience at your school.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Another parent from CA here. We are low income (my kid is a freshman so I am early to the game) and it can be argued that he is first gen (neither of his parents went to a US school). He used to be (and is planning to be) in an AVID type program.
Any schools that are lax re: first gen definition? I.e. allow kids with parents educated outside of the U.S. to claim the status?
Thanks

No, it cannot be argued that your DC is first gen. You and your DH have a college degree (perhaps even a Masters or higher) from a university abroad. You should be ashamed of yourself to even consider gaming the system this way. Both DH and I were very well educated overseas and we would never do what you're suggesting.

DP. I do think some colleges consider this “first gen.” It varies school to school, so you must check!

This doesn't make sense. There are checkboxes in the Common App, and there's even a tab for selecting overseas schools.
I also graduated from a school abroad, but I've never considered myself a first-generation graduate.
Calling someone a first-generation graduate after completing a foreign bachelor's degree is cheating, for sure.

Some college graduates from other countries doesn’t speak a lick of English and don’t know anything about the US education system. I see them often at our school. The kids have to translate English for them, and navigate everything on their own. So in that sense it can be just as challenging as a traditional first gen. But it’s very uneven because of course there are many other college educated immigrants who speak flawlessly, are successful and able to give their kids many advantages.

You can’t possibly be serious. How is it remotely similar someone whose parents never went to college vs someone who went to college abroad. If you graduated abroad and don’t speak English you can certainly acquire English by studying because you are so literate and you are knowledgeable about doing well in school. You pass that knowledge onto you children.

I am serious, but it doesn’t matter what I think. Some colleges do consider college educated parents from other countries First Gen.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:What’s the deal with “rigor” for UCs ? It seems that the top UCs require 4.0 GPA, but they’re flexible when it comes to rigor. Any thoughts or personal experience? I know kids selectively leveling down to CP to get the easy A’s!

They are comparing kids at the same high school when it comes to rigor. They don’t want to penalize students who are at schools where not many AP classes are offered. But if you are at a school with many honors/AP classes and aren’t taking them, then it is counted against you.

It comes down to the top 9% rule for the in-state UC applicants. If you're in the top 9% of students in the state, you're guaranteed a place at one of the colleges.

No it doesn’t come down to that.

It really does. It says so all over the UC websites in the admissions information section. If you think it doesn't, please do explain how and why.

Sure. The guarantee offers an admission to “a” campus. It’s usually not a top UC. It’s often Riverside or Merced or Santa Cruz,

Admission to UCLA and Berkeley is much more nuanced. Driven by GPA and apparently PiQ’s. If you meet the GPA requirements, it can seem like a lottery with no discernible patterns.

Is that not the case at your kid‘s school? Most families in CA agree on the “lottery” nature of UCs.

Share your experience at your school.

My experience so far is that my kids are in 11th grade. Some friends and siblings of friends in the top of their class in 12th grade are getting multiple offers, from UCLA and Berkeley as well as other UC colleges. The colleges do not know which other colleges have made offers and that is stated clearly on the website as well. UCLA famously doesn't really have time to bother reading the essays. Who are these "most" families agreeing with it being a lottery? I'd be interested to hear more about that, as it's news to me.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:What’s the deal with “rigor” for UCs ? It seems that the top UCs require 4.0 GPA, but they’re flexible when it comes to rigor. Any thoughts or personal experience? I know kids selectively leveling down to CP to get the easy A’s!

They are comparing kids at the same high school when it comes to rigor. They don’t want to penalize students who are at schools where not many AP classes are offered. But if you are at a school with many honors/AP classes and aren’t taking them, then it is counted against you.

It comes down to the top 9% rule for the in-state UC applicants. If you're in the top 9% of students in the state, you're guaranteed a place at one of the colleges.

No it doesn’t come down to that.

It really does. It says so all over the UC websites in the admissions information section. If you think it doesn't, please do explain how and why.

Sure. The guarantee offers an admission to “a” campus. It’s usually not a top UC. It’s often Riverside or Merced or Santa Cruz,

Admission to UCLA and Berkeley is much more nuanced. Driven by GPA and apparently PiQ’s. If you meet the GPA requirements, it can seem like a lottery with no discernible patterns.

Is that not the case at your kid‘s school? Most families in CA agree on the “lottery” nature of UCs.

Share your experience at your school.

My experience so far is that my kids are in 11th grade. Some friends and siblings of friends in the top of their class in 12th grade are getting multiple offers, from UCLA and Berkeley as well as other UC colleges. The colleges do not know which other colleges have made offers and that is stated clearly on the website as well. UCLA famously doesn't really have time to bother reading the essays. Who are these "most" families agreeing with it being a lottery? I'd be interested to hear more about that, as it's news to me.

Most parents in our school community, as well as parents from other schools can’t make head or tails of UC admissions. I’ve heard this same comment on college confidential and other groups. Even counselors say the UC’s are a head scratcher.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:What’s the deal with “rigor” for UCs ? It seems that the top UCs require 4.0 GPA, but they’re flexible when it comes to rigor. Any thoughts or personal experience? I know kids selectively leveling down to CP to get the easy A’s!

They are comparing kids at the same high school when it comes to rigor. They don’t want to penalize students who are at schools where not many AP classes are offered. But if you are at a school with many honors/AP classes and aren’t taking them, then it is counted against you.

It comes down to the top 9% rule for the in-state UC applicants. If you're in the top 9% of students in the state, you're guaranteed a place at one of the colleges.

No it doesn’t come down to that.

It really does. It says so all over the UC websites in the admissions information section. If you think it doesn't, please do explain how and why.

Sure. The guarantee offers an admission to “a” campus. It’s usually not a top UC. It’s often Riverside or Merced or Santa Cruz,

Admission to UCLA and Berkeley is much more nuanced. Driven by GPA and apparently PiQ’s. If you meet the GPA requirements, it can seem like a lottery with no discernible patterns.

Is that not the case at your kid‘s school? Most families in CA agree on the “lottery” nature of UCs.

Share your experience at your school.

My experience so far is that my kids are in 11th grade. Some friends and siblings of friends in the top of their class in 12th grade are getting multiple offers, from UCLA and Berkeley as well as other UC colleges. The colleges do not know which other colleges have made offers and that is stated clearly on the website as well. UCLA famously doesn't really have time to bother reading the essays. Who are these "most" families agreeing with it being a lottery? I'd be interested to hear more about that, as it's news to me.

Most parents in our school community, as well as parents from other schools can’t make head or tails of UC admissions. I’ve heard this same comment on college confidential and other groups. Even counselors say the UC’s are a head scratcher.

Are you in the DMV or California? because that is going to make a big difference.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:What’s the deal with “rigor” for UCs ? It seems that the top UCs require 4.0 GPA, but they’re flexible when it comes to rigor. Any thoughts or personal experience? I know kids selectively leveling down to CP to get the easy A’s!

They are comparing kids at the same high school when it comes to rigor. They don’t want to penalize students who are at schools where not many AP classes are offered. But if you are at a school with many honors/AP classes and aren’t taking them, then it is counted against you.

It comes down to the top 9% rule for the in-state UC applicants. If you're in the top 9% of students in the state, you're guaranteed a place at one of the colleges.

No it doesn’t come down to that.

It really does. It says so all over the UC websites in the admissions information section. If you think it doesn't, please do explain how and why.

Sure. The guarantee offers an admission to “a” campus. It’s usually not a top UC. It’s often Riverside or Merced or Santa Cruz,

Admission to UCLA and Berkeley is much more nuanced. Driven by GPA and apparently PiQ’s. If you meet the GPA requirements, it can seem like a lottery with no discernible patterns.

Is that not the case at your kid‘s school? Most families in CA agree on the “lottery” nature of UCs.

Share your experience at your school.

My experience so far is that my kids are in 11th grade. Some friends and siblings of friends in the top of their class in 12th grade are getting multiple offers, from UCLA and Berkeley as well as other UC colleges. The colleges do not know which other colleges have made offers and that is stated clearly on the website as well. UCLA famously doesn't really have time to bother reading the essays. Who are these "most" families agreeing with it being a lottery? I'd be interested to hear more about that, as it's news to me.

Results are not out yet for Berkeley or UCLA so no one has gotten multiple offers that are current 12th graders so try again.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:What’s the deal with “rigor” for UCs ? It seems that the top UCs require 4.0 GPA, but they’re flexible when it comes to rigor. Any thoughts or personal experience? I know kids selectively leveling down to CP to get the easy A’s!

They are comparing kids at the same high school when it comes to rigor. They don’t want to penalize students who are at schools where not many AP classes are offered. But if you are at a school with many honors/AP classes and aren’t taking them, then it is counted against you.

It comes down to the top 9% rule for the in-state UC applicants. If you're in the top 9% of students in the state, you're guaranteed a place at one of the colleges.

No it doesn’t come down to that.

It really does. It says so all over the UC websites in the admissions information section. If you think it doesn't, please do explain how and why.

Sure. The guarantee offers an admission to “a” campus. It’s usually not a top UC. It’s often Riverside or Merced or Santa Cruz,

Admission to UCLA and Berkeley is much more nuanced. Driven by GPA and apparently PiQ’s. If you meet the GPA requirements, it can seem like a lottery with no discernible patterns.

Is that not the case at your kid‘s school? Most families in CA agree on the “lottery” nature of UCs.

Share your experience at your school.

It’s only Merced these days and to some extent Riverside. I know several 4.0+ GPA kids who got waitlisted at UCSC. Look at the source data referenced above, UCSC, Davis, Irvine are all only taking 4.0+ GPAs

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

It’s only Merced these days and to some extent Riverside. I know several 4.0+ GPA kids who got waitlisted at UCSC. Look at the source data referenced above, UCSC, Davis, Irvine are all only taking 4.0+ GPAs

My DC was accepted to UCSC, Irvine and Davis with 3.85 UW GPA.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:What’s the deal with “rigor” for UCs ? It seems that the top UCs require 4.0 GPA, but they’re flexible when it comes to rigor. Any thoughts or personal experience? I know kids selectively leveling down to CP to get the easy A’s!

They are comparing kids at the same high school when it comes to rigor. They don’t want to penalize students who are at schools where not many AP classes are offered. But if you are at a school with many honors/AP classes and aren’t taking them, then it is counted against you.

It comes down to the top 9% rule for the in-state UC applicants. If you're in the top 9% of students in the state, you're guaranteed a place at one of the colleges.

No it doesn’t come down to that.

It really does. It says so all over the UC websites in the admissions information section. If you think it doesn't, please do explain how and why.

Sure. The guarantee offers an admission to “a” campus. It’s usually not a top UC. It’s often Riverside or Merced or Santa Cruz,

Admission to UCLA and Berkeley is much more nuanced. Driven by GPA and apparently PiQ’s. If you meet the GPA requirements, it can seem like a lottery with no discernible patterns.

Is that not the case at your kid‘s school? Most families in CA agree on the “lottery” nature of UCs.

Share your experience at your school.

It’s only Merced these days and to some extent Riverside. I know several 4.0+ GPA kids who got waitlisted at UCSC. Look at the source data referenced above, UCSC, Davis, Irvine are all only taking 4.0+ GPAs

I believe you. Depressing. This circles back to a previous comment I made that kids are leveling down in classes so they can get A’s.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:What’s the deal with “rigor” for UCs ? It seems that the top UCs require 4.0 GPA, but they’re flexible when it comes to rigor. Any thoughts or personal experience? I know kids selectively leveling down to CP to get the easy A’s!

They are comparing kids at the same high school when it comes to rigor. They don’t want to penalize students who are at schools where not many AP classes are offered. But if you are at a school with many honors/AP classes and aren’t taking them, then it is counted against you.

It comes down to the top 9% rule for the in-state UC applicants. If you're in the top 9% of students in the state, you're guaranteed a place at one of the colleges.

No it doesn’t come down to that.

It really does. It says so all over the UC websites in the admissions information section. If you think it doesn't, please do explain how and why.

Sure. The guarantee offers an admission to “a” campus. It’s usually not a top UC. It’s often Riverside or Merced or Santa Cruz,

Admission to UCLA and Berkeley is much more nuanced. Driven by GPA and apparently PiQ’s. If you meet the GPA requirements, it can seem like a lottery with no discernible patterns.

Is that not the case at your kid‘s school? Most families in CA agree on the “lottery” nature of UCs.

Share your experience at your school.

My experience so far is that my kids are in 11th grade. Some friends and siblings of friends in the top of their class in 12th grade are getting multiple offers, from UCLA and Berkeley as well as other UC colleges. The colleges do not know which other colleges have made offers and that is stated clearly on the website as well. UCLA famously doesn't really have time to bother reading the essays. Who are these "most" families agreeing with it being a lottery? I'd be interested to hear more about that, as it's news to me.

Most parents in our school community, as well as parents from other schools can’t make head or tails of UC admissions. I’ve heard this same comment on college confidential and other groups. Even counselors say the UC’s are a head scratcher.

Are you in the DMV or California? because that is going to make a big difference.

California…this is a thread for California high schoolers

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

It’s only Merced these days and to some extent Riverside. I know several 4.0+ GPA kids who got waitlisted at UCSC. Look at the source data referenced above, UCSC, Davis, Irvine are all only taking 4.0+ GPAs

My DC was accepted to UCSC, Irvine and Davis with 3.85 UW GPA.

And the UC GPA was obviously higher. Regardless, you can always find a one off particularly if not applying for an in-demand major but the source data isn’t lying.

[Anonymous]

I've heard that it is relatively easy to transfer into a UC school, including UCLA and Berkeley, from one of the feeder junior colleges. Can anyone comment if this is true?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I've heard that it is relatively easy to transfer into a UC school, including UCLA and Berkeley, from one of the feeder junior colleges. Can anyone comment if this is true?

True

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I've heard that it is relatively easy to transfer into a UC school, including UCLA and Berkeley, from one of the feeder junior colleges. Can anyone comment if this is true?

Not true unless you are a first generation student at the top of your community college class. The source data linked above shows the numbers. Now, it’s easier than getting in as a freshman but it’s not easy. Take Irvine CC, 531 applied and 133 got into Cal. 735 applied to UCLA and 217 got in.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I've heard that it is relatively easy to transfer into a UC school, including UCLA and Berkeley, from one of the feeder junior colleges. Can anyone comment if this is true?

True

Yes, true. But requires decent grades.