<p>Correct me if I am wrong...</p>
<p>you do not need letters of recommendation from counselors/teachers for UC Berkeley and UCLA?</p>
<p>Can someone explain the process to me. I e-mailed UCLA and they said something like "don't send your SAT scores until we ask for them."</p>
<p>Seems so strange. So different than schools on east coast...</p>
<p>Thanks!</p>
<p>UC's basically have their own "common app" .No letters of recommendation unless requested for a scholarship, or maybe if your on the "bubble". SAT's are self reported, then sent when you are accepted and commit to enroll.</p>
<p>no transcript either. You self-report grades, SAT, etc on the single UC application filed in October. With the one app you can apply to one, some or all UC campuses. In March you hear from each seperately. </p>
<p>If accepted and you confirm with the SIR (statement of intent to register) then you are asked to verify with transcripts, SAT reports and the like - these verifications are conditions of your acceptance. </p>
<p>In a very few cases, you may be asked to complete a 'supplemental' application sometime between your submission of the first app in October and when the decisions are communicated to you in March. </p>
<p>The supplemental is the one place where a single letter of recommendation is requested. No counselor/school form is needed. </p>
<p>This is due to huge volume of applications. Transcripts only for accepted ones.</p>
<p>The UC's have to have on of the easiest applications in the country. No transcripts. No recommendations. The downside is that you have to convey who you are into a very succinct application and (most) do not have the opportunity to bolster your application file with letters of recommendation, etc. One thing to remember is that the top UC's (and probably the rest as well) have their readers evaluate the personal statements for information about achievements or circumstances that do not fit in the 5 spaces on the application allowed for extra-curricular activities or honors and awards. For the UC's, make sure you include this type of information in the personal statement so you "get credit" for all you have done. They also use information from the personal statement to determine if you have achieved well despite hardship/challenges. Good luck.</p>