@UCLAFFF you mention that the admission committees look for suitable candidates in their programs, can you shed some light as for what kind of quality they look for in their candidates ? Thanks!!!
Well, it definitely depends on what program you are applying to. However, there are general or even common qualities that accepted applicants share, regardless of the program they get into. They’re just looking for hard working individuals who recognize the burdens they carry, but resist the temptation to use them as excuses. They want students to not only be book smart, but street smart; it is very competitive here at UCLA–from getting those grades to getting an internship–you’ll have to learn to hustle’! They also want a diverse population of students and they understand culture is deeply imbedded into societies; so don’t be shy to express where you come from in your personal statement. They also want students to go above and beyond the disciplinary standards. For example, me being an African American student, I may have a tendency to give back to the African American community, but UCLA wants students who understand it’s not only the community they come from that needs help, but the entire world that needs help! They want students who have keen experiences for if they were to tap into them, it would endow them with empathy; the ability to understand what it is like to be in someone else’s shoes. UCLA wants these characteristics because it shapes a person to do what is right for the many world issues that are going on. Here at UCLA, we take responsibility and put it upon ourselves to challenge ideas, make things better and stand up for the issues that are going on in this world. We understand, as students, that the world is indeed BIGGER than UCLA and that a degree from here is not guaranteed anything, but with confidence, hard work, and focus, we will be alright.
When any of you get accepted to this amazing school, come here focused because the academics can eat away at you! I remember crying during my first two quarters here.I could have dropped out, but I kept going and I reaped the benefits from that. I deeply believe UCLA is not just a school to do well in, but a place to learn and grow from. A place where you extend yourself ten times as much to get A’s in your CC classes, and a place I will never forget! Everyone here is so inspiring and determined that it literally, as if it were contagious, spreads and motivates everyone to do better. There are people here who have lived on the streets, people who have no families, girls who you’d never expect that are stripping late nights at a local bar to make money! But it doesn’t matter WHAT they’re doing because they are apart of the bruin community, and we support each other for the sake of that!
Sorry if that seems sloppy, but I really have to get to my next class.