* GPA: Your high school grade point average is a crucial factor.
* Course rigor: The difficulty of your high school classes (AP, IB, Honors) matters significantly.
* Essays: Your personal essays are a chance to showcase your personality, experiences, and goals.
* Extracurricular activities: Demonstrating involvement in clubs, sports, volunteer work, etc., is important.
* Letters of recommendation: Strong recommendations from teachers and counselors help your application.
* Major: Some majors are more competitive than others.
While the UC system is test-blind for many applicants (meaning they don't consider SAT/ACT scores at all), some students may still submit scores if they choose. Even if scores are submitted, they aren't the deciding factor.
In short: Focusing solely on a specific SAT score is the wrong approach. Concentrate on achieving a strong GPA, taking challenging courses, and building a well-rounded application. Check each UC campus's admission requirements individually, as they can vary slightly.