<p>A common complaint about UCLA admissions is that it is "random." So, for those of you who were accepted, what do you think were your main outstanding characteristics that got you in?</p>
<p>UCLA isn't a straight numbers school like most other UCs (uhum....UC Berkeley, lol) the essays <strong>actually</strong> count...that was my main thing, I had decent scores- just like everyone else...the essays are what separate the admits from the rejects</p>
<p>Slic, Berkeley admits 50% of its students based on qualities other than adacemics. UCLA admits 25%.</p>
<p>This information is easily found in any UC handbook.</p>
<p>Well, for me:</p>
<p>I got 1260 on my SATs... not exactly great.</p>
<p>I definitely think my essays got me in. I wrote about leading a campaign that saved my high school library from being closed, appearing as a contestant on national television, and meeting a woman who's husband died in the world trade center. I tried to choose things that set me apart as an individual with motivation and character.</p>
<p>Also, one thing that I think may have set me apart is that I am from a poor, overcrowded high school in a rural county. Region is an important factor that I think a lot of people overlook.</p>
<p>1480 SAT1, 800/790/730... 4.32 UC GPA... and add on im a first generation college student.. </p>
<p>nothing more needs to be said. (my essays coulda been crap... which they were)</p>
<p>42000 apps.. they read all 42,000 essays??...right.</p>
<p>Actually 126,000 essays.</p>
<p>I had an accomplishment that gave me significant media attention. I really emphasized my passion for politics and theater in my essays. My activities and my committment to them matched my passions. I'm from California? and...</p>
<p>I was lucky. </p>
<p>Congratulations to everyone that got in!!!</p>
<p>I had no outstanding qualities! m3ssi and kfc4u both know that lol</p>
<p>yea ..aim.. i forgot times three. I was actaully mentioning tat to my friend earlier.. at least ur admitting that laguna</p>
<p>Bubbles, you pull numbers out of your ass.</p>
<p>I was pretty shocked. I had Ds on my transcript...3.8 W overall. I didn't think they'd look past.... </p>
<p>I think they mainly liked my essays, which were totally unique. </p>
<p>But the part that REALLY shocks me is that FOUR readers all decided that my TWO Ds didn't matter that much.</p>
<p>I had almost the exact same scores as irock but had slightly higher sat2s. Honestly, I think if not for the stats, the essay helped me. I just reused my stanford essay for the main essay and it was one of my favorites pieces of writing.</p>
<p>The super secret selection process--
1. print out all the applications
2. gather in a line
3. throw the applications
4. observe the ones they go the furthest-- these are the new students! :)</p>
<p>Kidding, really. How did I get into UCLA? Well, the usual-- grades, decent SATs, and extracurrs. I hate personal statements-- so we can rule that one out...</p>
<p>It's great that you folks are accepted. But, really, why do you even care about wut got you in.</p>
<p>You got in. End discussion.</p>
<p>Maybe I'm being bitter, but I want to know why I DIDN'T get in. I mean, at least give me an acceptable reason.</p>
<p>Because people like to boast without looking arrogant. ^^;; As someone who might not have gotten into the crem de la crem schools, I really wanted a reason why (maybe a letter) I did not get in given that I was above the "avg" for some of the schools. But, then I got over it and realized I did not want to leave Southern California.</p>
<p>And, wow, I just went off on a tangent.</p>
<p>"Maybe I'm being bitter, but I want to know why I DIDN'T get in. I mean, at least give me an acceptable reason."</p>
<p>starman, it may actually be possible to contact the admissions office and find out why an application wasn't accepted. i know someone a few years back who was rejected by uc davis. her counselor contacted undergraduate admissions and was told that the application scored low because of low SAT scores and less than stellar essays.</p>
<p>starman, i saw your stats on the "Ucla Rejects Unite" thread, and wonder if they were possibly <em>too good</em>? sometimes, I think colleges might allocate a certain percentage of admissions slots for super achievers and another percentage for <em>potential or less than stellar</em> achievers (I'm not talking Affirmative Action). either that or, if you declared a major, maybe there is no more space available in your declared field of study. </p>
<p>this is why you should definitely contact admissions and ask why your application was rejected.</p>
<p>Like I said, pick up a UC handbook and it will explain that. </p>
<p>I CITED my sources. It says on page 40 of "University of California, Introducing the University...2002-2003</p>
<p>"Berkeley... criteria to select 50% of freshmen.. on the basis of academic performance"</p>
<p>"Los Angeles.. 75%.. solely on academic performance"</p>
<p>If you go to UCLA, that's another nail in the coffin of UCLA. This year, their admissions were none other than insane. Why do they accept people with 1300's, and reject people with 1500's and 4.30's? Honestly, trying to be Caltech when you're nowhere near that is absurd.</p>
<p>If anyone wants my acceptance last year and burn it, you can. I feel sad even getting admitted.</p>
<p>MzLover - I love you! Two D's? Really?</p>
<p>Okay, I've been accepted, which I'm thrilled about, but I got a D on a mid year exam (term grade was an A, though). I'm afraid that when I do report it, my admissions will be revoked.</p>
<p>Thing is, the D wasn't so shocking in my school because everyone else got the same (and worse) grades in the subject.</p>