An Applicant UCLA Admissions MUST FLAG Today

by bluestreet on Feb 20, 2008 1:28 PM PST

If it hasn't been done already, it needs to be done NOW.

The UCLA admissions office needs to flag the application of Tyler Tapani, the great grand son of Coach Wooden and mail him the acceptance letter today.

Great article in LA Times today on Coach Wooden's great grand son:

"Sure, everyone knows Papa as one of the greatest basketball coaches of all time, but I think he'd rather be known as a good family man," said great-grandson Eric Bernstein, a senior on the Simi Valley baseball team. "Family comes first.

"I don't think it's ever mattered what sport we've played, basketball, baseball, football. I don't think it's ever mattered if we played a sport at all. All Papa has ever wanted was for us to do our best in whatever it was we chose to do."

As for Trapani, his playing days could be numbered. He averaged two points this season for Simi Valley (26-2), ranked No. 8 in the Southland by The Times.

One thing he has learned from his great-grandfather is, there's life after basketball. Trapani carries a 4.3 grade-point average, has applied to seven colleges and been accepted to three so far.

His goal is to stay close to home, close to his 14-year-old brother, Cameron, and the rest of the family. The plan is to continue his education and attain a degree in teaching, perhaps from his dream school -- the one in Westwood, of course.

"When I filled out my application to UCLA, one of the questions they asked was if I knew any Bruin alumni," Trapani said. "I didn't feel the need to mention who my great-grandfather was. Actually, I don't think many people know I'm related to John Wooden.

"Papa always taught me to be my own person. If I'm going to be accepted at UCLA, or in life down the road, I want it to be based solely on who I am and the things I've accomplished."

This should be easy.

UCLA's admission office should be mailing that acceptance letter today.

Go Bruins!!!

[Update -bluestreet]:I see the merit of bruinhopeful's argument in the comment thread. So I am changing the title from "ACCEPT" to "FLAG." I think if Tyler's SAT scores are within ballpark of UCLA admission's range, they need to accept him today.

This is a FanPost and does not necessarily reflect the views of BruinsNation's (BN) editors. It does reflect the views of this particular fan though, which is as important as the views of BN's editors.

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Comments

I respectfully disagree with this

While I am obviously pro-everything Wooden, I don't find admissions via lineage or "favors" acceptable in this current climate. If, in an enrolling class of 3,000 students, the admissions board finds 3,000 more qualified than Eric Bernstein, then who is UCLA to deny an otherwise qualified candidate to make room for a lineage admission.

A GPA of 4.3, accepted into 3/7 schools thus far--none of this is fully telling, especially given the current climate of college admissions. How is his leadership? Does he thrive to excellence in all forms: academic, community, and extracurricular?

If he gets a "free pass" because he is a great-grandson, I find it highly suspect, especially because he could be taking the spot of someone enrolling who wants to be the next Wooden as much as he does.

However, with that being said, kudos for him trying to obtain admission on his own accord. But am I the only one that finds it unusual for him to point out his lineage, only to say "I didn't mark it on the application." I find that to be a little "wink wink, administration" to me.

by bruinhopeful on Feb 20, 2008 1:49 PM PST reply actions

Bernstein = Trapani

Sorry...long day at work.

by bruinhopeful on Feb 20, 2008 1:50 PM PST up reply actions

Respectfully disagree hopeful

We are not talking about a kid who is trying to get into UCLA with sub 4.0/3.0 gpa.

Coach John Wooden is not just a UCLA treasure. He is a national treasure. And IMO UCLA hasn't been doing enough to preserve his legacy. Admitting his great grand kid, who has a 4.3 GPA? That's the least UCLA can do what Coach has given to us since coming to UCLA.

by bluestreet on Feb 20, 2008 2:12 PM PST up reply actions

Agreed with your point on Coach

But--and this may be splitting hairs--did Coach request this? I find it difficult to think that he would "pull strings."

I much rather the student get in on his own merits, not a name.

4.3 GPA, quite frankly, doesn't mean a thing to me. Within the last 10 years, I underwent the wonderful waiting game known as college admissions, and I can tell you firmly that a 4.3 GPA is not spectacular, as all minuses and pluses are (or at least in 1999) rounded to be a concrete letter (ie. A- = A = 4.0) and all honors or AP courses are on a +1 system, meaning an A- in Honors Geometry = 5.0 on the UC scale.

by bruinhopeful on Feb 20, 2008 2:25 PM PST up reply actions

As lawyers say

"It depends". I don't think that he necessarily deserves to be admitted at the detriment of someone more qualified than he is. However, if he has the same marks and qualifications as someone else, and they have to choose between the two, I would hope that legacy would come into play at that time to give him an edge.

by tasser10 on Feb 20, 2008 2:29 PM PST up reply actions

I agree fully with this

That was the point that I was trying to make. If it comes down to splitting hairs between applicants, I hope Coach and his family is always chosen first.

by bruinhopeful on Feb 20, 2008 2:40 PM PST up reply actions

Wooden

Is more than just "a name."

I am sure Coach didn't request any special favors. But if this kid's gpa/scores puts him on par with UCLA's entering class, he should get in.

Wooden is more than just "a name."

Period.

by Nestor on Feb 20, 2008 2:39 PM PST up reply actions

Yes Nestor, but my point is

the "But if..." portion. We don't know this at all, and it's clearly speculative. GPA isn't the end-all, and a 4.3 GPA at this time isn't overwhelming evidence in either direction.

I have faith in the UCLA admissions department. The results are in the fantastic graduates turned out by the university.

by bruinhopeful on Feb 20, 2008 2:42 PM PST up reply actions

a 4.3 GPA

is nothing to scoff at. From UCLA's admission's office:

The average admitted applicant to UCLA for Fall 2007 had a weighted GPA (a GPA that includes all extra grade points for honors or AP coursework) of 4.30, an unweighted GPA (no extra points) of 3.83, an SAT Reasoning Test score of 2006, SAT Subject scores (we use highest scores from any two of five subject areas) of 727 and 674, and 19 semesters of honors/AP course work completed between 10th and 12th grades.

If Tyler's SAT scores are within ballpark, he should be admitted. He or Coach Wooden may not be asking for special favors. But now that this story is public, I think the least our admissions' office should do is to flag his application right now and if he has the test score, put him in the accepted pile.

by Nestor on Feb 20, 2008 2:48 PM PST up reply actions

Agreed, but we do not know his SATs

Nor anything else on his application. If everything pans out, I can't find a soul who would be against this admission. However, if there is some sort of flag on his resume however, I hope that UCLA admissions does take everything (including his relationship to Coach) into consideration.

What I'm getting at is that the theory of the Golden Ticket doesn't sit well with me at all. My best friend growing up was closely related the admissions director at some lower tier school across town and, with a sizable amount of donations and fanfare, was admitted despite subpar scores and lack of substantial extracurriculars. IE., he was admitted with said Golden Ticket.

Have faith in the Admissions Department! As overwhelmed as they are, I think the correct decisions will be made.

by bruinhopeful on Feb 20, 2008 2:54 PM PST up reply actions

"wink wink"

Hey, if the guy wanted special consideration to be given for his lineage he would have put it on the app. He declined to provide an honest answer to a question on his application that might have helped his admission chances. How many of the 30,000 applicants (or whatever extraordinary number there are this year) would have done the same? I'd bet ZIP, ZERO, NADA. Sheesh, talk about cynical.

by SinnerBoy 99 on Feb 21, 2008 8:48 AM PST up reply actions

No special favors

Like he said, he wants to make it on his own merit. I wish him nothing but the best of luck on his endeavors. If he wanted special favors, we all know a school that readily gives free houses, reduced rent, and own the police.

by UCLA4Life on Feb 20, 2008 2:06 PM PST reply actions

I guess I'm just selfish

I don't want any of Coach's family going elsewhere.

If we have room for 3000 number of incoming freshmen, then one more won't make any incremental difference. Take all the guys who qualify, then add one more if this guy doesn't qualify. We've heard for years that SAT's and all that are not perfect tests and discriminate in subtle ways. In my opinion, any standards that would leave someone with traces of original Wooden DNA on the outside looking in are bad standards.

Coach would never in a million years agree with me on this. But this isn't for Coach and it isn't for Bernstein or Trapani or whatever his name is. It's for UCLA. All Wooden offspring and their issue should automatically qualify. It's sort of like qualifying for the English Crown. Once you are in that particular bloodline, you qualify and that's all there is to it.

by Fox 71 on Feb 20, 2008 3:17 PM PST reply actions

Fox 71 strikes again!!!

As usual, Fox 71 has proven he is wearing headgear when golfing in Florida, so the brain cells are still operative.... good post. As much as we all believe the formal process of gaining admission to any UC campus that is impacted, the informal process exists and is alive. There is nothing wrong with it, IMO, but it does exist.
Bill

BillSouthBay

by Mensgym on Feb 22, 2008 11:18 AM PST up reply actions

2% Rule

There still exists the "2%" rule that allowed Nicole Donahue admittance into UCLA and should allow no less than the same for any of the offspring of our lord and savior, John Robert Wooden.

by charnaw on Feb 20, 2008 3:25 PM PST reply actions

Let him in.

A coach is someone who can give correction without causing resentment. John Wooden

by MexiBruin on Feb 20, 2008 5:25 PM PST reply actions

no special favors...

i hate the 2% rule, but realize that it is a necessary evil to deal with an underfunded university sytem's need to attract donor dollars. if the kid gets in on his own merits great. i doubt coach wooden would pull strings to achieve a result the kid didn't deserve, even if it is his kin.

Across The Face

by rb bruin on Feb 20, 2008 10:02 PM PST reply actions

If UCLA

makes exceptions for any reason, this should be it. Look, there is only one JW. Do you think every student that got in to UCLA carry 4+ GPA? Of course not.

This is John Wooden we're talking about. This is his great grand son we're talking about. This is someone carrying a 4.3 (at the very least he qualifies to get in based on his GPA.

I am in no way subscribing to Ivy League's policy of legacy, but at some point situation like this require an exception.

Kid, you're in. You already talk like your great grand Pa!

by UCLAngels on Feb 20, 2008 11:40 PM PST reply actions

Special Considerations

Like it or not, UCLA does favors (at least they have in recent years) for people all the time. The admissions process is that way. If the class was going to be 3000, make it 3001 and let him in. If he doesn't fit, he will flunk out, like so many others, and end up at SMCC looking to get his grades up, or if he is motivated, like his great-grandfather would want him to be, he will get through it until he figures "it" out.
Bill

BillSouthBay

by Mensgym on Feb 21, 2008 9:28 AM PST reply actions

I'd like to believe

UCLA doesn't flag any applications...as a son of an alumna I grew up dreaming of going to UCLA my whole life, I worked hard getting a 3.8 and a 2000 on the SAT, but coming from a fairly rigorous and new high school (oaks christian) I knew I had no chance of ever being admitted. While I always wished UCLA could make their application process more personal, I know thats not the nature of a large and prestigious university. I don't mean to make this a sob story, but if UCLA choses its applicants solely on numbers and where you attended school, I hope it stays that way and the same rules apply for everyone. I hope he makes it in though, and that students with respect for the school's history and school pride find their way to UCLA.

O.A.

by Ollie on Feb 21, 2008 5:42 PM PST reply actions

There's a difference

I suppose with a few exceptions, the guys that get in on athletic scholarships wouldn't get in without the athletic scholarship. But that's not the difference I see.

(I want you to think Bill Walton at this point.) Man, John Wooden is the Tree of Life, and any acorn or sapling from the Tree of Life gets cultivated and nurtured at the fountain where the Great One himself once cultivated and nurtured young people. This is exciting. A full fledged great grand son of the Great one, the Grand one, the Coach. Man, he has got to be at UCLA. How can he not be at UCLA? (Walton segment ends.)

The difference I see in this guy and everyone else who applied is that he is related directly to Coach. That should be enough.

Sons and daughters of Congressional Medal of Honor winners are automatically qualified for any military academy. I guess the thinking is that the DNA that made up the fiber of the being of someone who won the CMH might be something the military wants to keep. I think it's the same with the Wooden line.

by Fox 71 on Feb 21, 2008 7:51 PM PST up reply actions

that sounds beautiful

but its not reality anymore...theres plenty of kids who are honest, moral, respectful human beings that bleed true blue and gold...but that isn't taken into consideration in the application process anymore, its all numbers, theres too many people applying there for it not to be now.

O.A.

by Ollie on Feb 21, 2008 11:03 PM PST reply actions

Ollie

You are not going to win this argument among alums.If this kid has the grades (and his SAT scores are in the ballpark) we want him in.

by Nestor on Feb 22, 2008 4:44 AM PST up reply actions

true

I'm just sad I'll never be a bruin...it's even harder getting into Anderson haha

O.A.

by Ollie on Feb 22, 2008 3:13 PM PST up reply actions

You are wrong again

You are a Bruin.

by Nestor on Feb 23, 2008 7:58 AM PST up reply actions

Nestor is right

Coach Howland's predecessor was not a Bruin. You are. There's a difference.

by Fox 71 on Feb 24, 2008 5:27 AM PST up reply actions

Can't prove anything, BUT...

...I heard some things about a son of a well-known Hollywood agent that didn't have the grades, but got into UCLA after a nice donation was made to the school.

I'd like to believe that stuff doesn't happen, but I'm not naive.

No way I would think Coach or his family would do anything like that, but connections are important.

by Westwood Wizard on Feb 22, 2008 10:36 AM PST reply actions

Is that so bad?

If I had a gazillion dollars and a son who wasn't all that distinguished academically (and I got one of those two accurately), what's so bad about about paying whatever it takes to turn Drake into a football stadium plus do all the Pauley renovations, just as long as the kid gets admitted? Then if he flunks out, that's that.

When I was in school, justsc got some enormous contribution from an oil sheik whose son then managed to qualify to be a condom. Most of the students carried a can of oil to the next game and waved it everything justsc's alleged band played their dopey song.

by Fox 71 on Feb 22, 2008 12:26 PM PST up reply actions