@pleasgod Really only 47%… it’s not like the total average admit rate is 17%. Thanks for pointing out I’m overqualified… 
It can also be that they think with your oustanding performance, you may pick some other “better” school over UCLA, and offering you admission at the first place will be pointless. So they gave you the waitlist option, because they may have thought that if you really want to attend the school, you will submit yourself to the waitlist. Thats just one possible reason. And yes, according to last year data, gpa of a huge number of students was similar or higher than yours, plus you have minimal EC.
@E17 I have seen many applicants with 1570, nearly perfect gpa and very good ECs get denied. So don’t waste time and energy feeling irked. Often times colleges don’t choose excellent students; not getting into UCLA does not mean you are less qualified. Don’t take it personally. Besides, college admission people are not perfect.
Besides, a lot depends on the intended major and the person reviewing the application.
My kid (no hooks) got into Stanford REA and got flat out denied by UCLA for the same non-STEM major. Frankly, UCSD’s program was higher ranked than UCLA’s program in this major, and my kid was admitted at UCSD. I am curious whether my kid will get denied by UC Berkeley also. I do not at all believe my kid was a lesser student than some students who got accepted.
Think of it this way. A girl you liked picked the other guy instead of you even when you thought you were better looking, smarter or had a better personality. Who knows why the girl picked the other guy. Maybe the other guy had certain look she liked better, who knows. Maybe both shared the same belief in some religion. Maybe his parents were richer. You can go on and on.
Anyway, I know you just want to blow off some steam. Lol I actually sympathize with you.
Last week, 4.24. So by last year’s info, a 10% chance.
I think OP may be having a little fun with us.
@E17 Cheerleading is an impressive EC imo because for the life of me, I cannot be a cheerleader because I have a hard time smiling and stretching etc.
47% is still majority-rejection. “Overqualified” =))
I know 1280 is very diff from your stats, but there are also kids who got 1500+ on their SAT who got rejected or waitlisted like you… There are so many people in the world with perfect stats, but colleges don’t want the best student-- they want the best fit.
I was recently rejected (not waitlisted) from Emory, and all the people I know of who got in/waitlisted had less EC’s, lighter course work, lower SAT, and lower GPA. Emory is a great school and I worked hard on those supps but even I knew Emory was not my first choice (or anything near the sort). If you declined UCLA so quickly, I think the admissions officer can tell you’re not genuinely as passionate about UCLA as your friend might have been. Colleges are crapshoots-- its really unpredictable tbh, so it may not be your fault or anything related to you. perhaps this year UCLA wanted less business majors and more enviro majors (example), so who knows
It does not seem like we can help you a lot, so I think we should stop here, and if you really want to clear things out, you can.
First, accept your waitlist offer.
Second, if you are not accepted, file an appeal.
Third, if you still can’t get in, file a complaint with the institution, here is the link:
https://www.chr.ucla.edu/conflict-resolution/how-to-file-a-complaint-or-grievance
Fourth, if your voice is not heard, file a complaint with the California Department of Education, here is the link:
http://www.cde.ca.gov/search/searchresults.asp?cx=001779225245372747843:gpfwm5rhxiw&output=xml_no_dtd&filter=1&num=20&start=0&q=Complaint
If you are still not satisfied with the outcome, bring your concerns to your district house representative.
If all that does not help too, you can choose to bring this to the county court, state court, or federal court. The supreme courts deal with constitution involved cases (maybe discriminations?)
During this process, you should also panticipate “temporarily” accepting one of the offers in case things do not turn out in your favor.
Those are your choices beside this forum. Frankly, this is not a mocking reply. I am just trying to show you all the options available to you. Please consider them because none of CC member can help you with the issue.
Thx for giving all the valuable info to everyone here . I believe most people just want to air their frustrations here , not that they believe they can get anything changed much. It is because once the acceptance,rejections or waitlists are out , it is almost impossible to change the results. However, there are two major points here. Most, if not all colleges use objective ( sat, gpa etc) and subjective( extracurriculum, essays, “achievements”) to decide on admissions. If subjective measures become more dominant , possible bias or even discrimination could happen. Remember , subjective opinion usually means personal opinion. A lot of the time , when it is very " personal" , it can become bias or even discriminating. When any institution or company uses a very subjective view in making decision, they are inviting possibilty of bias and even discrimination. .
@E17 I sympathize with you, and I would be disappointed if you didn’t feel this way given all the sacrifices and hard work you have put in and the results you got for it in grades and test scores. Unfortunately, the result you received for your application isn’t what you think you deserved, and by trying to make sense of it, you resort to the most logical method of “objective comparison” to your peers. The reality of the subjective acceptance method employed by fine institutions such as UCLA is that it has no logic, which of course makes it impossible for a brilliant applicant like you to accept, and I commend you for it. I have known way too many individuals that share your disappointment and anger. I am proud to say that most of them turned their “miserable” reality into an amazing college experience and used the “rejection” as a motivational force and with the chip on their shoulder they overachieved and excelled to the highest level of success both academically and socially.
@E17 It may feel unfair, but that’s not the reality. There were over 100,000 (mostly qualified) applicants - Too many applicants, too few spots. It’s just the way it works.
As far as your HS friend - They are not specifically comparing you to her just because you are from the same school. It doesn’t work that way at all. Get that out of your mind. Asking her anything about her application helps you zero as it has nothing to do with your application.
You had to write four essays for the UC’s - these were very important. It’s hard to know how yours came across without reading them.
As everyone else has said, rejection is a part of life, it’s how you handle it that matters. Take a little time to feel disappointed but don’t dwell on it. Don’t become a hater. Embrace those schools that have embraced you. Focus on all the wonderful admits you’ve received and select the one that best fits you and be positive!
Agreed. Asking your friend anything about her application is insulting. In her place, response would be blistering, since you obviously think she took something she doesn’t “deserve”, and her whole being isn’t as good as your whole being. Regarding cheer vs book club? Cheer isn’t my thing but having a DD doing it in high school, I can say it is a major time commitment, built on school spirit, develops a team mentality, optimistic viewpoint, and leadership qualities. Your friend met the admissions criteria and brings more than a number. (If you go for her, you will be remembered as the former friend/hater.) This is a life lesson; learn it the first time.
@websensation Yeah I’m just venting a bit. I also applied to Stanford and am waiting to hear back. However, to be honest, I am expecting the rejection and will take it graciously as I don’t really “deserve” to get in. Congrats to your kid though!
@bodangles Do you really not get it? Isn’t it obvious? The average applicant has a 17% chance but according to the person above with the link, I had a 47% chance meaning I am above the aceragevUCLA applicant… @lookingforward …because that’s how admit rates work right…?
@andrewjchang wow how sarcastic of you. But thanks for the links even though I’ve already started my appeal… <:-P
@E17 I thought you already declined the olive branch. How can you now appeal?
@uciparent A chip on my shoulder is definitely how I feel. Fortunately for me I enter my “zone” when upset or wronged. With this new motivation, I look forward to creating a reputation as a top student at whichever school I chose.
@Fishnlines29 sigh, some people get hung up on the dull, corporeal details
@uciparent choose
I have no idea what you mean by that.
Here’s the thing: you haven’t been wronged. This should be a good life lesson for you to learn some modesty.