Hey everyone, just wondering if someone could realistically chance me, not only for UCLA but for the other UC’s too?
Citizenship: Canadian
Ethnicity: 50% Cuban / 50% Italian
Neither parents attended University
GPA: UW - 4.0 / UC W - 4.33
SAT: 1330 - 710M / 620 ERW (the curve on this test sucked)
Rank: Top 1% (Valedictorian Candidate)
Self-studying for 3 AP Exams (School doesn’t help us)
I attend a self-directed learning school, I have to be very motivated to succeed.
7 Years of Competitive Swimming (National Level)
12 Years Conservatory Violin
400+ hours of work experience
Lots of volunteer hours
I solve Rubik’s Cubes competitively
Intended major? Since you are not a US citizen, first generation is not a consideration for your situation along with race/ethnicity for the UC’s. Are you parents comfortable paying $65K/year for you to attend?
Hey, @Gumbymom thanks for the reply. I applied as a Mathematics Major as well and a physics major as a backup. My parents are comfortable with it yes because neither of my siblings went to university so we’ve saved money for sure. Also, why don’t they consider me being the first generation? Regardless my EC’s and GPA are my strong suits but it’s my SAT that worries me.
First generation for college admissions is confined to US applicants to US colleges and for the UC’s, it would be California residents in particular.
Alright, cool @Gumbymom
What’s your verdict for the schools then 
@Serpickle No one can predict if you’ll get in or not. Only an Admission Officer knows the result.
It’s still nice to know whether or not I’ve got a decent shot or if I shouldn’t get my hopes up @10s4life
@Serpickle
What you are asking people to do is to take a fairly uneducated guess.
If you were a California student, then, I would guess that you are slightly below 50/50 at the most competitive UCs and you are above 50% at the less competitive ones. The reasons would be that your standardized scores are not very high, but your extracurriculars sound good. Thus, a lot would depend on your essays and who is reading them.
Whether being a national level swimmer would give you a big lift is another angle that is a big unknown. Assuming that it does not:
Further, people here are not as knowledgeable about how to evaluate an international student. For UCLA, you are in a different pool than California or other US students. Is it the same for other UCs? Is the Canadian pool separate from the rest of international? …? …? …?
Generally, from looking at admission statistics for internationals, GPA is not as important as standardized scores. However, standardized scores are very important and are much higher at UCLA. Where as 25th percentile of admitted California applicant SAT is 1290, it is 1470 for an international. If you are judged mostly on standardized tests, UCLA is a very, very long shot.
But, the bottom line is that I have no idea how your application is assessed.
The other part of this is that we are in single digits for days away from many of the actual decisions. (UCD is likely to announce tomorrow.) Consequently, chancing someone is not very useful. I would be surprised if me writing this message will change much for you or anyone else.
(Some useful UCLA stats: http://www.admission.ucla.edu/Prospect/Adm_fr/Frosh_Prof18.htm)
Some UCLA admit data for 2018 Freshman below and you should consider UCLA a Reach school.
2018 Freshman admit rates for UC GPA of 4.20 or above capped weighted and not major specific:
UCLA: 41%
2018 UC capped weighted GPA averages:
UCLA: 4.23
2018 Data:
25th - 75th percentiles for SAT:
UCLA: 1340-1540
Gumby mom, if UC’s are not allowed to discriminate or do affirmative action, how come my hispanic and african american classmates got in with much lower GPA’s and less extracurriculars, and simpler personal statements?
To add to my previous reply, I think it’s childish of anyone to think that anyone plays by the rules, not even the government. Businesses may claim they follow fair hiring and firing practices but really it can be anything as long as they don’t say it, as is the same for de facto racism in this country.
@mlsdream89 The UC readers don’t see race on there. However the UCs can take economic status into consideration. URMs tend to come from lower socioeconomic statuses. Simpler personal statements aren’t a fair judgement. Being overwrought isn’t good either. Readers like people who cut to the chase. The UC app isn’t a creative writing class. No matter what the people who get in are plenty qualified and there’s no need to take away from their achievements.
@mlsdream89 Well they could be first-generation or could have very compelling stories that describe family turmoil, and etc. Scores don’t make you who you are, it is the quality of your achievements, your passions, and yourself that really overweights any score you can get. UCs do not consider race as a factor, thats why UCLA is known to be the “asian” UC (haha).
Don’t forget to mention the power of exceptional ECs like abroad internships, research, published papers, and founding businesses. They can easily get you into top schools with the right mindset. (ﾉ◕ヮ◕)ﾉ*:･ﾟ✧