Chance of getting into UCLA?

Chance Me / Match Me!
1

Would anyone be able to approximate if I had a positive chance of getting into UCLA? I’m planning to study journalism and I’m considering applying. Also I have bad SATS scores and haven’t had a legitimate job…

White female from Virginia

-I’m in a specialized four year program for the humanities within a school that doesn’t really have an impressive track record in terms of student grades, graduation rates, etc.

-By the time I graduate I’ll have taken AP Human Geography, Psych, U.S. History, Government, Language, Literature, Biology, Art History, Environmental Science, Stats and French (10 out of the 16 APs my school offers) My other classes have been honors when available with the exception of 9th and 10th grade math (I’m in honors trig now)

-Not sure what my grades will be like next year, but for the last three years I’ve had straight A’s in everything but math, which I’ve kept a B in.

-I’m president and founder of my schools LGBTQ Alliance; I’m not sure how relevant it is but I’ve been working on getting the school district’s policy on discrimination changed to include gender identity and sexual orientation. But there’s no saying that’s gonna work. And I’m gay if that’s not obvious

-Secretary in Key Club, joined freshman year, became an officer as a sophomore.

-Model UN Delegate, but I’ve never won anything for it

-French NHS and NHS

  • I have my gold and silver awards for Girl Scouts, which I've been in since first grade

-Eight years of piano

-Crew on school drama productions, beginning in 10th grade

-GPA is about 4.6. (3.8 unweighted)

-SAT: 460 math, 590 writing, 630 reading

-I’m likely going to Girls State this summer and college preparatory thing for the humanities

-I’ll have about 180 plus hours of community service, but not through continuous work with a single organizafion

-Exfenuating Circumstances??: I’ve had a spinal cord defect since I was born, and I’ve had six surgeries for if. Hospitalization and chronic pain have kept me out of school a lot… I’ve also been dealing wif clinical depression for six years

2

Probably very low, considering your SAT grades. The UCs weigh standardized test scores quite a bit higher than most other colleges do. If you can raise you SAT up to a ~2100, that would significantly increase your chances.

3

I suggest attempting the ACT. I know tons of people who did much better on the ACT than SAT (myself included). Otherwise, aim for at least an 1800.

Also, clinical depression isn’t something you want to flaunt to colleges unless you beat it. It has no relevance otherwise, and it’s seen as a weakness to some. Regardless, you’d only mention it in a college essay, but I think the spinal cord defect might be somewhat more interesting to write about given its uniqueness.

I’d say you’ve got around a 30-40% chance. I was chanced at 37% with a 4.3 weighted and 33 ACT (didn’t try very hard in high school, oops), decent extra curriculars, and mediocre leadership. Your GPA is higher than their 2011 average but probably on par with 2016 average. Your standardized tests are below average. Surprisingly, your seemingly strong extra curriculars are probably only about average for UCLA applicants, but you have high leadership skill. With a higher SAT, I’d say you’d move to a 60-70% chance.

Low chances aren’t necessarily bad though. I was calculated to have a 37% chance for a school I applied to and got accepted and invited to the honors program. Your essay has a huge impact, and you can’t expect to be that 99% chance kid for your first choice school.

4

Thanks for your input! UCLA would obviously be a reach school for me, but I’ve been trying to get a picture of what the typical admitted applicant is like in terms of background and extracurriculars, but obviously no two students are the same. Would the health issues (spinal and depression) be considered extenuating circumstances though? I don’t plan to bring it up in my essays, I was wondering if it would bring any sort of slight explanation to having a weaker application. As for the SATs, I’ve only taken them once in the beginning of junior year; I’ve used a lot of study books and guides, and I did prepare a lot, but what would you suggest is the best way to raise your score? I can’t afford a tutor or anything and I’ve never been all that outstanding at standardized tests.

5

Hi! I was recently accepted to ucla and I’m here to tell you that you have a high chance of getting accepted . Assuming that you are at the top 10 percent o your class you will stand out . My sat score was lower than yours with a 1550 and I have - 4.28 accumulative 5th in my class the way advice I could give you is to put your heart and soul into your essay ucla likes to see someone who goes deeper than just great grades so just make sure you’re essay is very deep and self reflective :slight_smile: hope this helps