<p>I think it's a little more than picking names out of a hat! UCLA definitely looks at the overall package, not just GPA and SAT. Essay's and EC's and the potential of the student has alot to do with an accept or reject.</p>
<p>About three or so students got in to UCLA with SATs in the 1500-1800 range, with Weighted GPAs varying from 3.8 to 4.5. They were however ELC so its not too surprising. </p>
<p>While they may appear weak statistically, I think UCLA saw what they needed to see in ECs and Essays.</p>
<p>Admissions definitely seemed easier this year from my school. We're sending at least 30.</p>
<p>I think UCLA weighted a lot of ECs and personal statements this year. My SATs and GPA were not GREAT and I got in... I think it was the personal statement that did it for me?</p>
<p>I do agree that essays are impossible to judge on here, but all this week I have been amazed over and over at school by some of the people that were accepted and rejected. One of my friends was accepted with a 3.4 UC GPA and little to no EC's, almost certainly because of his 2330 SAT's.</p>
<p>As an outsider (a parent) looking in it is easier to rationalize the decision making process... age probably has a lot to do with it too.
My son had a great overall package except his test scores. He used the following as a guide for completting his application to the UC's:</p>
<p>and I think it made the difference in getting accepted vs rejected. He gave UCLA and UCB everything they asked for in the application and and more. It gave them a reason to overlook his test scores.</p>
<p>SOCalPatty</p>
<p>Link did not work. Is there another way to access this page?</p>
<p>Congrats to your son!</p>
<p>I got it off the UCLA website. It's under Prospective Students and in the UCLA Viewbook. It's called the Freshman Admission Flyer. We got them at a College Fair last Spring. We only found them for Berkeley and UCLA, which is of course the 2 he really wanted.</p>
<p>Socal</p>
<p>Thanks a bunch! Printed a copy for S#2 (sophomore).</p>