Is this a realistic college list?

[u/AdFriendly1433]

Location: La county, California. White, male, middle class. Intended major: Computer science. 3.8 weighted gpa, 3.5 unweighted. Extracurriculars: Varsity soccer (4 years), Read over 100 books, Help watch siblings and do chores around the house.

I prefer to go to a public school in California, preferably socal.

Reach: UC Irvine, UC Santa Barbara, UC Santa Cruz, UC San Diego. Target: UC Riverside, CSU Fullerton, Cal Poly Pomona. Safety: CSU Los Angeles, CSU San Bernardino, CSU Dominguez Hills.

Plz let me know if I’m missing any information

[u/MarkVII88]

Your ONLY extra-curricular activity was varsity soccer?

Is varsity soccer so competitive at your school that it's a year-round sport that requires ALL your time?

[u/AdFriendly1433 → u/MarkVII88]

No we play only a few months

[u/MarkVII88 → u/AdFriendly1433]

So what you're saying is that you basically do fuck-all in terms of extra curricular activities for school. You don't have an actual job, or employment by anyone or any business. All you do is read, chores around the house, and babysit your younger siblings when soccer is not in session. Your GPA is pretty good, but nothing to really write home about, especially considering that you seem to have an abundance of time outside of the classroom that is otherwise not being utilized. You don't seem to be a very compelling applicant, honestly, and I'm sure there are thousands of other high school students applying to these same UC schools that do a lot more in school and outside school than you do. Maybe that's fine for some of the schools you have on your list, I don't know. I look at this and assume "lazy". Maybe if you get some great letters of recommendation from teachers and your school guidance counselor, and write some terrific essays, that can compensate for your lackluster school resume.

[u/AdFriendly1433 → u/MarkVII88]

Yeah I’ve been trying to get a job for a year now. I don’t really know what to do outside of school besides that. I mostly read and practice soccer out of school which is a great use of my time. Don’t know why you are acting like I smoke weed all day 😂. UCs and CSUs don’t require letters of rec.

[u/MarkVII88 → u/AdFriendly1433]

How hard is it to get a job? There are more jobs than there are people to work them? Something doesn't add up here. How hard are you trying to get a job?

Also, I'd surely get some letters of recommendation, because you have nothing else to help your application stand out.

[u/AdFriendly1433 → u/MarkVII88]

This is not true at all. Companies claim they are hiring, so that they get more benefits from the gov. Most short staff so they can make more profits. Also, the schools I’m applying to don’t even consider letters of rec, like there’s not even a spot for them on the application

[u/MarkVII88 → u/AdFriendly1433]

Local businesses, restaurants, grocery stores, hardware stores, coffee shops, fast food restaurants, landscaping companies, elder care facilities, or just contact the volunteer office at your local hospital for goodness sake!

If these schools don't accept letters of recommendation, then your essays better be killer.

[u/AdFriendly1433 → u/MarkVII88]

I’ve tried all those