<p>I currently have a 3.96 GPA, and I will be completing my pre-reqs by Spring. I have some extracurriculars such as playing in the Junior Olympics for hockey the last 3 years, starting a school hockey team, volunteering, and I have a teacher's aid job at a Math enrichment program. My concern is that the average UCLA Econ GPA is a 3.9, and my extracurriculars are not Econ related, nor are they amazing. What can I do to make myself more of a competitive applicant, and what kind of ECs should I do?</p>
<p>Please note that the information I’m about to post is purely my speculation.</p>
<p>Based on what I’ve been told and by what I’ve read here on CollegeConfidential, UCLA admissions is based on statistics (ie: GPA, unit count, etc.), while UCB runs a more “holistic review” (we read everything you send us and look at everything). </p>
<p>Your GPA seems to be really great, and although your extra-curriculars are not extremely major-related, they are still good. </p>
<p>That being said, my only advice to you would be to raise the GPA, and possibly look into some sort of leadership opportunities in your school/extra-curriculars. It definitely won’t hurt to apply to UCB as well.</p>
<p>My unit count has an effect on my chances? After the Spring semester, I will have just shy over 60 units, which is barely passing the minimum.</p>
<p>Your unit count can affect your chances if you have too many or too little units. </p>
<p>60-80 units is generally the range you want to be in, so that definitely isn’t the issue.</p>
<p>You would be fine…I don’t had any ECs and I had a 3.91 GPA…I got accepted to Econ…
Good luck!</p>
<p>one thing, math tutoring is GOOD… remember an Econ Phd is basically a specialized Math degree… If you want to improve your chances, maybe join a club related to business or economics at you CC and half ass it…</p>
<p>^ school extra-curricular, lol. Do it! It’ll only help.</p>
<p>Thanks for the input guys. I’ll try to join some clubs to boost my chances in an already very competitive major.</p>
<p>Oh geez. 3.9 GPA with volunteering and a teacher’s aid = You’re in.</p>
<p>My sister and I were both accepted to UCLA (although neither of us attended) and neither of our GPAs were that high.</p>
<p>Honestly, you’re info seems very very competitive. I got into biz-econ which has a slightly higher avg admitted gpa and my gpa was slightly lower than yours. I had zero major-related ECs including zero major-related WE. This is just my opinion but try not to fall into the trap of “trying to make your app look good” especially since you’re applying this fall. They’ll see you doing ECs that you’re involved in that isn’t even a semesters worth. Its too transparent and they’ll notice. More importantly, you do not want to increase the risk of these ECs affecting your ability to finish out the last semester with the best grades you can get. </p>
<p>Because of Cal’s “holistic” approach, as gsg mentioned, I feel like UCLA is much more concerned with GPA and whether you have all your pre-reqs finished. Obviously they look at the rest of your app including essays but try to focus on that(GPA/class work), especially since your ecs already sounds incredible. It may not be major-related but the fact that you’re passionate about something is clear and a huge plus. Compared to a bunch of random clubs/orgs that you haven’t had significant time invested in.</p>
<p>For the UC app you have to worry about these sections Education Prep Programs, ECs, Community Serive/Volunteering, Honors/Awards, and WEs. since you’re concerned with ECs, on that part focus more on what you’re passionate about, and the teachers aid. You said you volunteer so that’s good. Overall, keep doing what you’re doing, work on your essays ASAP and have them checked over and over, and start thinking about how you’ll be filling out the sections I’ve listed above(each section will have 4 blank spots so just think of four things per section).</p>
<p>Hey if I can also ask, I have about the same stats as HockeyGiant and finished all pre reqs except calc. I will only finish Math 1b (two quarters of calc) by spring. I also have a 3.93. Would it be wise to stay back a year and finish the series?</p>
<p>@deanzakevin - No, you don’t have to finish the entire series if you’re majoring in Econ. I’m going to UCLA this fall (same major, also transferring from De Anza) and I only completed up to Math 1B. :)</p>
<p>@blackdelias oh thank you very much and happy to meet a fellow don. Good luck at UCLA!</p>
<p>Your stats are great. Honestly, I don’t think EC’s are really important for transfers. What will set you apart is your personal statement.
I suggest you start early, get it read by someone who will give you an objective opinion, and revise it at least 8 times. (<<This advice was given to me by a professor at UCLA)</p>