Is it possible to make it into a UC school with an F?

Do you guys think this UC Essay was the factor that UCSD UCLA and UCB turned me down?

• Describe the world you come from — for example, your family, community or school — and tell us how your world has shaped your dreams and aspirations. Before attending high school, I was good at mathematics and science. However, like many other Chinese students, I thought that doing well in these subject could help me get into a prestigious college and become a wealthy man in the future. So I just kept good grades and seldom delved into them. When I got into my high school: Guangzhou No.5 Middle School, I found it had wonderful learning atmosphere, great facilities and teaching method. The teachers were very friendly and devoted themselves to their educational careers, the libraries and laboratories were always open for students and some scientists and inventors were invited to give speeches. My high school also offered college preparation curriculum and lots of research opportunities. This excellent academic enviroment greatly stimulated my passion for science. Shortly after I attended high school, my teachers found my scientific talent. They ardently encouraged me to explore science and supported me to conduct research. My physics teacher used to teach me some advanced physical methods and theories after class. I acquired a lot of fundamental knowledge about statistics physics, atomic physics and quantum mechanics. My chemistry teacher usually asked me to assist him to do lecture experiments. I mastered some important experimental skills such as distillation, filtration, and dissolution. Gradually, I developed my interest in science and mathematics and began to learn autonomously. I thought as my school provided me with so many opportunities to study science, I should make good use of them and try to enhance my deficient manipulative ability. Thus, I was inspired to do my own experiments in my school laboratory under my teachers' supervision. After the experiments, I analyzed the data and sometimes had surprising and unexpected discoveries. From these experiments, I understood the charm of science, ameliorated my analytical techniques, and greatly developed my creativity. Because many of my classmates also loved science, I cooperated with them to organize a physics club. We discussed many difficult problems, shared our innovative ideas, and published some papers in my school magazines. I was pleased to developed my communication skills and leadership. As the saying goes,"wisdom in the mind is better than money in the hand", I was passionate about science and made up my mind to become a scientific researcher instead of a rich person during high school. Therefore, I firmly believe that my high school had a great influence on me. It has shaped my dream of becoming a famous scientist and my aspiration to make contribution to human society. I hope one day I may come up with an applicable idea to generate nuclear fusion to solve energy crisis. Stats: Major: Physics SAT 2070 superscore 800 Math 570 Critical Reading 700 Writing SAT 2 Physics 800 Math II 800 GPA 3.6 Chinese HS Good ECs 20 Years Old trying to get to college Cal Resident, rejected from UCB UCLA UCSD, waitlisted at UC Davis All ivies rejected (applied 7) CMU waitlisted Boston U and Boston College rejected UChicago, Duke, JHU, USC WUSTL, Caltech rejected Accepted: RPI (send email to encourage me to apply, won't go though...) Do you guys think I am unfortunate? I should probably give up my education or end uo with community college or appeal? Location: San Francisco California Age: 20, graduated from high school in China before immigration. First generation immigrant, want to go back to college.

• Answer:

  I dont think your essay hurt you. Your GPA and SAT are pretty low for those top schools. I had a nearly identical SAT/SATII/GPA and was rejected by UCSB UCSD UCB. If you were an underrepresented minority, you prob would have gotten into every UC.