UCLA Admission

by acho81 on May 25, 2009 10:46 AM PDT Comment 16 comments

Hey I'm beginning the college admission process soon and I was wondering if you guys could tell me whether or not I have a shot at getting into your school. I come from a highly competitive private school out of state.

Here are my grades

9th

A, B,B,B,B,C

10th,

A,A,A,B,B,B

11th

A,A,A,A,B,B

Extracurriculars:

Eagle Scout, Newspaper (4 years; Staff Assistant, Staff Writer, Sports Editor, Sports Editor), Water Polo (9), Crew (10,11,12), 10600 literary magazine staff (10,11,12), Marque literary magazine staff (10,11,12)

Work Experience

Day Camp Counselor (9), Started a business painting addresses on peoples' streets

SAT: 2100, ACT 33

So please just comment below and tell me if I have a shot. Thanks a ton.

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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You definitely have a shot

Your SAT/ACT scores are good and your extracurriculars are outstanding. Just make sure that you knock the essays out of the park to compensate for those Bs and Cs from 9th and 10th grade. It’s good that you have shown steady improvement there, but I’m not sure whether admissions has access to year by year grades. Of course, your chances are even better considering that you are out of state, which is a plus these days.

Hope that helps and good luck!

by Sideout11 on May 25, 2009 1:14 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Did you take any AP courses and tests? I think a B from an AP course (or at least an honors course) would look better than a B from a regular course. And of course passing AP tests with 5s or 4s definitely helps as well.

by BruinDrums on May 25, 2009 1:59 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

AP B = normal A in terms of GPA

So a few of those would make a difference re admissions.

It has been a few years, but I seem to recall that UC admissions focuses mainly on 10th and 11th grade performance, and not so much 9th (but I could be wrong). That, along with the strong test scores and extracurriculars gives the OP a fair shot at being admitted.

Good luck!

by bruinhoo on May 25, 2009 2:23 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

I was told time and time again

that they put a heavy emphasis on not just how well you do, but the difficulty of your class schedule. They want to see that you challenged yourself with AP classes, honors classes or other classes that are on a difficult subject matter.

by Ryan Rosenblatt on May 25, 2009 2:41 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

yeah

average number of APs it like 5

Without them, VERY difficult to get looked at

by impaulv on May 25, 2009 6:55 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

What is your weighted GPA?

And what is your rank in HS?

Back in late 80s I got into UCLA with a weighted GPA of 4.375 and a #7 rank from TX, although my SAT/ACT was average.

Based on your SAT/ACT, it looks like you will be able to get in, unless your GPA falls below 4.0 and your rank is not in the top 10. The last time I checked, I think the incoming frosh class for 2008 had an average incoming GPA above 4.0.

Then, your extras and your ability to write thoughtfully and coherently on your app will be the deal maker/breaker for you.

Not sure if this helps.

by LoyalAlum94 on May 25, 2009 4:28 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Go for it!

My mom had to beg me to apply to UCLA because I was convinced that I wouldn’t get in (even though I had exemplary grades, scores, extra curriculars, etc.). And even if I did get in, I didn’t want to go because I was hell bent on going to a school in a smaller city. It just goes to show you that you never know what can happen!

I’m not sure what your SAT score means because I took that test when the best score was 1600. I’m sure there is perfectly plausible reason for them changing the scoring (yeah right).

I feel that UCLA puts a premium on high school students who are well rounded. Rye and bruinhoo are right…it would help if those classes are AP/honors because it shows that you challenged yourself. UCLA is very competitive, and it’s amplified by the fact that many classes are graded on a curve. Either way, I wish you the best of luck on your new journey!

Go Bruins.

by hicalliber on May 25, 2009 4:36 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

I think the non scientific way to calculate your new SAT

Add your SAT score + SAT II Writing test score, since the new section is a writing section.

There’s this too:

http://www.spartanburg6.k12.sc.us/dhs/Guidance%20website/SAT-ACT%20Conversion%20chart.html

by freesia39 on May 25, 2009 9:35 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

2100 over 3 sections

is equivalent to 1400 over 2 sections.

by SuperBruinMan on May 25, 2009 9:51 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Your personal essay is critical!!

This is the one point I make to all young students taking the plunge. I actually spoke to my friend’s daughter today, a HS Junior entering her Senior year in the fall. The point I like to make is this:

If you are an admissions officer and you are looking at 3 applications of students with exemplary grades and extra curriculars, but you know that you can only pick one of the 3, how do you make that choice? The difference is in the essay. A writing sample speaks volumes about who you are. Are you a book smart person who understands and uses big words or are you a seasoned person with a lot to say? That is going to make a big difference. And it is the one aspect of your application you have complete control over. I would advise you (as I did with my friend’s daughter) to spend you entire Senior year writing and re-writing your personal essay. You have only one shot to make it count. Make sure it is perfect and leave no doubt.

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

by MexiBruin on May 25, 2009 11:08 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

For better or worse

You probably have a better chance applying this year, with UCLA looking to increase out of state student admissions in order to profit from out of state fees.

by brand0n on May 25, 2009 11:15 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

+1

WIth the out of state fees becoming more outrageous, expect more admissions for out of staters, and fewer grants to offset that cost.

by bruinhopeful on May 26, 2009 8:03 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

You have a shot, but...

When I was coming out of High School, I was 3 time MVP in one sport, lettered in 4 others, was in honor bands, AP classes, honors classes, captain of math league, had my Eagle Scout, similar SAT scores, and a 4.2 GPA out of a private school and got turned away. I went to Junior College for two years and applied with a 4.0 and finally got in (but this time they gave me a bunch of scholarships, so it worked out really nicely financially).
It depends a lot on the major you choose (my department was only about 25 total people, 3 with my specialization, and no one graduated to open a spot for me), and just understand that there are a LOT of competitive applications out there. This is the most applied to school in the country, and the average GPA of students admitted last year was about 4.1-4.2.
You have a shot, but keep a level head and keep working hard, because you can get a full ride to another school, but be declined from UCLA (like me). If you want to get in bad enough, you can find a way (like me).
p.s. this was my story from a class of 2008 bruin (2004 from High School)

by sponkey21 on May 26, 2009 11:42 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Best of luck

I don’t remember my GPA and all that stuff, but I guess it was good enough to get in to UCLA.

Don’t be too down if you don’t end up getting in, because there are just way too many people that apply to this school every year. I have a friend who, on paper, was virtually the same as me. In fact, he probably took a couple more AP classes and did a little more extracurricular activities. However, I got into UCLA while he didn’t. But then again, he got into Cal and I didn’t. I graduated high school c/o 2004, btw, before they changed all the SATs. I had a good number of B’s, but they were mostly from AP classes.

Just focus on your personal statement, and keep up the grades. Even if you don’t end up at UCLA, don’t take it too hard on yourself. I know this is all cliche, but its true. Your college experience is how you make it to be, no matter where you go.

by gookso0 on May 27, 2009 12:01 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Grades are definitely a bit low

I think typically you should have about a 3.7+ unadjusted for AP/honors (and about a 4.2-3 adjusted). Your grades seem to be around a 3.4 unadjusted. The C hurts. A lot. Coming from a competitive private school actually may or may not help, because there can be inflated grades.

Your SATs are good but not enough to differentiate you. Me and half of my friends got 1500-1600 (SAT I, corresponds to 2200+) and 2200-2400 (SAT II). Don’t know about ACT.

Your extracurriculars are pretty good, but did you do a lot of community service / volunteering as an Eagle scout? Make sure you emphasize that in your personal statement / essay, so you have good balance: sports and writing make you better, but admissions would like to see a desire to make others better.

Basically, you’re competitive. You’re not super-competitive, but if you frame your activities well and the dice roll in your favor, you have a good chance.

by dokein on May 27, 2009 9:11 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs