<p>If UCLA has been your “dream school for years,” why would you be “kind of stuck between USC and UCLA?”</p>
<p>ELC is top 4%, for me it was like the 25-30 top students I think. ELC invites you to attend some kind of presentation at any UC campus (I think) where the deans of admissions come and give presentations on their specific UC’s.
This thread was posted a year ago, before I knew anything about USC (they make you feel REALLY welcome… and they actually gave me money). And I’ve also been hearing some things about UCLA (both from friends who currently attend and from CC) that make me a bit hesitant.
However I’m attending College Day @ UCLA next Wed., and Explore USC the next day so we’ll see. :)</p>
<p>Holy crap is this who i think it is?!</p>
<p>who do you think it is?</p>
<p>
Because he/she was being insincere. It’s life, get used to. On how many colleges essays did you yourself write, “[fill in the blank] is my dream school!”?</p>
<p>@sentimentGX4</p>
<ol>
<li><p>You forgot the “it” at the end of the phrase “get used to it.”</p></li>
<li><p>It was a simple question for jayjiggle, no reason to get your panties in a bunch over it.</p></li>
<li><p>I didn’t write “this is my dream school” or anything of that nature on any of my applications. Putting that on there would have wasted valuable space which I needed to provide reasons/arguments as to why I should be admitted into the school. Nobody in admissions cares what my dream school is or how bad I want to attend.</p></li>
</ol>
<p>@jayjiggle</p>
<p>That makes a lot of sense. Tour both schools and go to whichever one feels right for you. Try to judge them based on what you want/think and not what others say.
Good luck! :D</p>
<p>Hey JayJiggle!!!</p>
<p>I’m currently a junior and I am in the EXACT same position you were in last year… hahaha I hate this!</p>
<p>I have a 2150 on SAT and my SAT II subject tests I have gotten a 710 in world history and will definately score high on math 2C because I have been getting consisten 800’s on practice exams. I have an unweighted gpa of 3.93 and a weighted of 4.73. Do you think I will be able to get in score wise?! Any information would be greatly appreciated!</p>
<p>DavidSouth - academically, your scores fit very well. You should have little problem getting into UCLA with a good essay and decent ECs. I have very similar stats in fact :)</p>
<p>@TheRageKage12 Thanks very much! 
Are you currently attending/planning to attend? That is exactly what I’m planning to do this week.</p>
<p>@sentimentGX4It WAS my dream school… at the time. So I was being sincere (sorry if it seemed otherwise). Since then, as I’ve stated before, it’s become not so much a dream (because before I used to look at it as perfect, as up on a pedestal), but a great college with a few setbacks. There are tons of things about UCLA that still make it a dream for me though! E.g. the area, athletics/school pride, opportunities open to students…
I too did not write on ANY of my essays that _____ was my dream school. I don’t understand why or how I would be able to. Especially with the UC essays which are sent to all UCs you apply too: I focused on explaining myself as a person and trusted that the UCs would know where I fit best, even if I personally thought it was UCLA. The only time I could see declaring your love for a school in application okay is if you’re trying to appeal/get off waitlist. Brownie points! 
jk</p>
<p>@DavidSouth your stats look pretty good! 
I’m no expert but they’re somewhat similar to mine. My SAT I was a little higher, but SAT II’s probably lower in general (good job on math! haha I never had time to study for those so totally tanked :(), and also lower GPA.
Just make sure you get involved, and if you can, leadership positions. However, don’t try to get into a bunch of activities/positions just to fatten up your college app. Do what truly interests you, that you’re passionate about and feel comfortable leading. There is nothing I despise more than people who don’t do this. They end up failing the club, the members, the purpose etc. (LOL sorry if I seem harsh but it’s just I’ve had really bad experiences with that this year…) And if you love an EC and really helped make a difference, it’ll show.
Essays can make SO MUCH MORE of a difference than you might think! If there are tons applying to UCLA with the same stats, what else do you think is going to separate you from the crowd? Good luck to you!! Don’t stress TOO much! Just have people you can trust and who know you well check and double check for you.</p>
<p>Yeah I’m a current student. Just do what you’ve gotta do to be happy for the next 4 years :)</p>
<p>
Just be vague. For example,</p>
<p>“I greatly admire the number of Nobel Laureates inspired by this college. I have always looked up to this university as the pinnacle of the UC system.”</p>
<p>(mild compliment- Berkeley, big compliment - UCLA, borderline believable flattery - UCSD) :D</p>
<p>jayjiggle,</p>
<p>We just did admit student day at both USC and UCLA last week. Both are great so my child is even more confused…</p>
<p>If USC’s progam can be at UCLA’s location, it’d be the perfect/dream school!</p>
<p>@collegeproject seriously!! i really liked USC and the people, but i get bored really easily and outside it’s not that great (I didn’t feel unsafe, just bored :P)</p>
<p>@sentimentGX4 still not sure what you’re talking about but haha thanks for your input :)</p>
<p>do you still have time to join a sports team? I heard the school loves that.</p>