Chance an int'l applicant?

Colleges and Universities A-Z University of California - Los Angeles
1

<p>Hey guys, </p>

<p>I am a rising senior who attends a Canadian public school. </p>

<p>I plan on majoring in Political Science and applying to the College of Letters & Science</p>

<p>Here are my stats:</p>

<p>GPA: 4.0 (92% high school average so far)</p>

<p>Academic Rigor: I take 4 of 6 AP courses offered at my school - Math (Adv. Functions & I plan on taking Calculus & Vectors next year), English (Literature & Composition), Biology, Economics ** All of these courses I plan on taking next year</p>

<p>SAT scores:</p>

<p>Critical Reading - 770
Math - 730
Writing - 800</p>

<p>SAT II scores:</p>

<p>Biology - 780
Math II - 800
Literature - 750</p>

<p>•Political staff writer for high school newspaper
•Mentor/Prefect – peer advising; peer leader; freshman orientation program
•Founder/president of community service club/student organization – human rights awareness for youth
•Class president on student government
•Co-President & founder of school’s Model United Nations team
•Editor-in-chief of yearbook committee
•Co-President of DECA
•School advisory council – Student Representative
•Chair/councilor of city youth council
•Special Needs children’s ministry – church community service & volunteer work
•Captain/Coordinator of provincial Model Parliament school team
•Worked as a lifeguard and taught swimming lessons to children; taught first aid & CPR (summer jobs)
•City council work; re-election campaign worker for political race
•Executive on region's Presidents’ Council
•Member of debate union
•Founder & Co-President of Politics Club </p>

<p>I'm working on my essays right now, and I have a unique passion that I believe will stand out and truly show who I am as a person. I plan on getting a recommendation letter from my history teacher who knows me personally beyond my work as a student. My other letter will probably come from my AP English teacher, as I got the highest mark in her class. In addition, I believe the LOR from my guidance counselor and principal will be nothing short of stellar.</p>

<p>Unfortunately, I do not have any significant honors/awards. I have A LOT of school awards, but no academic awards beyond school. I know this isn't an excuse, but there are very few academic extracurricular opportunities in Canada in comparison to the States.</p>

<p>As an international applicant, the competition will be more rigorous, but I would like to know how you guys think I will fare.</p>

<p>Thank you for your time!!</p>

2

<p>Please help me out!</p>

3

<p>Are OOS students and international students placed in the same applicant pool?</p>

4

<p>I’m like 99% sure you’ll get in. Don’t stress over it. I had stats below that and got in. Also UCLA doesn’t accept/ask for letters of recs.</p>

5

<p>Thank you so much kansastocali! Were you also an international applicant?</p>

6

<p>Nope! I was an out of state student, but I think it’s the same pool.</p>

7

<p>Most (if not all) UCs have different pools for international students I believe. They often post Int’ admission rate independent of OOS and in state, so that’s my assumption for UCLA as well. UCLA has a 30% admission rate for Internationals while it is much lower for OOS.</p>

<p>To comment on your chances, I think UCLA will easily be a match for you. I am a fellow Canadian student and your scores are stellar. Only thing I’m not sure is the GPA as 92 doesn’t always constitute to a 4.0 GPA. You’ll enter your Canadian marks, I believe, and you’ll be compared to people within the same applicant pool.</p>

8

<p>Does the different applicant pools for OOS and international apply to Berkeley as well? Wow, 30% admission rate? If I may ask, how do you know this info, eggopop? Isn’t it unusual that the int’l rate is higher than that of OOS? Is this international rate of 30% similar to Berkeley’s? Do you think Berkeley will be a match for me also? Sorry for all of the questions!</p>

9

<p>Haha it’s quite alright to ask questions :wink:
The 30% comes off the UCLA website.
(link:<a href=“http://www.admissions.ucla.edu/prospect/adm_fr/Frosh_Prof12.htm[/url]”>http://www.admissions.ucla.edu/prospect/adm_fr/Frosh_Prof12.htm&lt;/a&gt;)
I just checked and this was the profile for last year (32.7%)
This year, it was actually 20.2%. Seeing on how the yield goes, they might take more/less applicants this year :S. (Higher yield=Less applicants this year)
Although it is strange indeed, OOS and Int’ acceptances mainly depend on yield rates and how many students actually enroll.
Many on CC say that UCLA is doing this to raise some funds as a large public school always needs money to keep it going.</p>

<p>The student profile of Berkeley says that about 14% (cant remember but it was in the low teens) of internationals get in. I think you still have a strong chance given your marks and ECs.
Do you mind if I ask you which school that you go to? I’m also applying to a bunch of UCs as well, and I’m from an Ontario school.</p>

10

<p>I’m also from an Ontario school. I go to Thornhill Secondary School. What school do you go to?</p>

11

<p>Hey! Thornhill’s my home school! I went to Henderson PS and Thornhill had the gifted program so most of my friends go/went there.
I’m currently at Bayview SS for IB. I did slightly regret the flexibility of AP, but IB’s not too bad either.</p>