Can I make it into UCLA?

Applying to College
1

<p>Hey I just joined this forum, literally a minute ago, and wanted to ask your guy's opinion regarding my chances of matriculating into UCLA. Below is a list of both my academic and extracurricular activities... I would like it if current/former ucla students could provide information of their own academic achievements and such... Thank you.</p>

<p>Grades:</p>

<p>Freshman<br>
Honors Ancient Civilizations - A, A
Honors English 1 - A, A
Honors Geometry - A, A
Honors Biology - A, A
Spanish 1 - A, A
Basketball Freshman (Scholar Athlete Award)</p>

<p>Sophomore
AP World History - A, A (5 on AP exam and 710 on SAT II Subject Test and was Student of the semester chosen by teacher)
Honors English 2 - A, A
Honors Chemistry - A, A
Honors Algebra 2 - A, A
Spanish 2 - A, A
Basketball JV (MVP Award and Scholar Athlete and Co-Captain)</p>

<p>Junior
AP US History - A, N/A
AP Environmental Science - A, N/A
Honors Pre-Calc - B !!! I HATE THIS TEACHER, N/A
Honors English 3 - A
Spanish 3 - A, N/A
Basketball JV (Scholar Athlete)</p>

<p>Senior (projected)
AP Calc BC
AP Computer Science
AP Bio
Honors Physics (no AP provided)
AP Literature
Basketball </p>

<p>SAT: 2150
Taking Math IIC Subject test this JUNE!
Taking AP U.S. History and Enviro Sci this JUNE!</p>

<p>GPA 10-12:
unweighted - 3.93
weighted - 4.73 </p>

<p>^ I understand there is a UC accepted GPA? What is that?</p>

<p>Extracurricular:</p>

<p>HSYAT club all three years
This year I am volunteering at a library
Tutor at local academy
Over summer I was a cook for my church's Vacation Bible School and Group Leader another year.
Volunteered at an abused child center during summer (plan on reconnecting this year)
Getting a job at a coffee shop (starbucks) this summer
Shadowing my aunt who has a doctorate in dentistry... I plan on becoming a dentist.
Link Cru (Freshman orientation group)</p>

<p>Well that's about it... I want to major in biochemistry... I know my classes aren't really geared towards it - at least this year's - that is because I originally planned to major in Political Science but then I was awakened by just how hard it is to get a well-paying job with a major in Poli-Sci. </p>

<p>So.... what are my chances of making it into UCLA? Any info would be helpful!</p>

2

<p>Seem pretty solid to me what ethnicity are you? I say they seem solid because my brother had a 3.8 and a 2200 on SAT and 34 on ACT and he got into USC which ik USC and UCLA are very much alike meaning they are both competitive schools and accept top quality kids.</p>

3

<p>You have a very good chance, especially if you’re a California resident.</p>

4

<p>I am half white and half asian. Does race play a role in the admissions procedure? And by solid do you mean a good or bad solid? Or just decent?</p>

5

<p>Do I really? Why do you say that? And thank you so much that makes me feel extremely relieved haha. Do you say I have a good chance off of experience or just guessing? And yes I am Californian… what does that have to do with admissions? I have heard about it all over the place. Thanks again.</p>

6

<p>Being accepted as a California resident is much easier. Still EXTREMELY competitive, but easier nonetheless.</p>

<p>The reason why I say you have a very good chance is because I am a California senior at a large public high school where approximately 25-30 of my peers have been accepted to UCLA for fall 2010. Most of those accepted students have stats and a courseload similar to yours.</p>

<p>Obviously it’s not a guarantee that you’re in, but it shows that you’re a highly competitive applicant.</p>

7

<p>Oooh really? Haha YES!! My parents were smart to move here then!!! Love em
And oooh I see… that encouraged me! Thanks again for your information! Did your friends get any B’s? And did they take only 3 AP’s by their junior year as I did? I am a little worried that I have not taken enough AP’s so far…</p>

8

<p>I have friends who got B’s and got into UCLA. In the end though, their weighted GPAs rounded out to above a 4.0, which you have.</p>

<p>Some of them didn’t take the hardest courseload offered, but they still had a high GPA. I know someone who got in by taking only 1 AP class sophomore year and 1 junior year (they had straight A’s and took honors classes too, though).</p>

<p>Your advantage is that you have over a 4.0 and your class schedule is still pretty rigourous with all of the honors classes.</p>

9

<p>Thank you so much for taking the time to answer my questions btw… I know its late haha.</p>

<p>Hmm… I guess I am set academic wise… how about my extracurriculars? Did your friends pile up on the EC’s?</p>

10

<p>No problem. Extracurriculars look pretty good; only problem is that most don’t really show longevity/commitment. Don’t worry about it too much though. At this point it all comes down to how that particular admissions officer is feeling when they read your application, and you give them things to like.</p>

11

<p>Yea… if only I had known earlier :frowning: haha. But I have a feeling I will get in… and my guts are usually right! Thanks again for the info!</p>

12

<p>UCLA is very random with their decisions. I have several friends with similar or better stats than yours, most of whom had much better EC’s-- half of them got in, the others didn’t. Unlike most other places, UCLA doesn’t have a pattern as to the students they choose from what I’ve gathered from this years acceptances. </p>

<p>Also, a lot of it will depend on your remaining SAT2 scores. I do think that you have a good shot, though!</p>

13

<p>You have as good a shot as any. That being said, I know of students who received full 4 yr scholarships to places like U of Chicago, Northwestern, Vanderbilt, Duke and admissions to places like Dartmouth, Brown, Washington U, Georgetown etc that DID NOT get into UCLA. Point being, apply far and wide. UCLA has sooo many applicants (more than any other institution) it can’t take everyone.</p>

14

<p>By solid I mean really good chances and I ask about race because it really does matter. I’m not trying to be funny when I visited USC I asked about UCLA and they refereed it to University of Caucasians Lost Amongst Asians so by the nickname given to by the rival school you can see there is a lot of asians at UCLA. Schools won’t admit it but its common sense they need to meet quota with a percentage of certain races.</p>

15

<p>Nice SHOT.</p>

16

<p>Thanks to all of you for your opinions! And abuot the race quotas… I understand completely what you are saying that seems reasonable… so if I am white I have a better chance than if I am asian? If so I will just mark myself as a white applicant rather than half…</p>

<p>At convikted… yea the truth hurts dude… but atleast you were honest about my EC’s. Yes they are VERY weak… what did your friends do to make theirs better? Thanks for this honest answer.</p>

17

<p>have u looked into USC?</p>

18

<p>Hahah no… It is way too pricy… mooney is currently an issue for me!</p>

19

<p>ummm. there are NO racial quotas at ANY UC school because by proposition 209, UC schools are not allowed to use race in making admissions decisions.</p>

20

<p>What HitMan says above is correct. Additionally, UCLA does not require teacher recs, but looks at your essays, ECs, along with high GPA and SATs. </p>

<p>Having just gone through this process (I was accepted to UCLA, USC + Berkeley) I can tell you that the outcome is very unpredictable. So begin crafting your essays early and get involved in community service and leadership roles. </p>

<p>Apply to several UCs to increase your odds of acceptance at more than one school, just in case. That said, you are on your way. Best of luck</p>