<p>I'm looking to transfer to UCLA, I have my TAG for Davis. I was wondering, how important are EC's in UCLA's decision? I volunteered a lot 2 years ago, and put in on the UC app, but haven't done anything since then. I do help out at a local community theatre, but I put that in the hobby section of the UC app, as they do pay me (but far below minimum wage), I also work 32 hours a week for my real job.</p>
<p>Although I have work experience, I'm worried that my lack of volunteering will set me back. So I'm wondering, how much emphasis do they put on volunteer work? Also, what do you think my chances are for UCLA?</p>
<p>Major: History
Overall GPA: 3.91
Major GPA: 4.0
IGETC: Completed
Major Pre-reqs: Completed
Essays: Rushed, but okay</p>
<p>Work experience is basically considered as an EC. They understand if you need to work to pay your bills. You don’t HAVE to volunteer.
I actually didn’t list any volunteering in my application. I was also told I could include babysitting my siblings as an EC, so I did that.
I think they just care that you’re not just on your butt all day playing video games or whatever. I think you have a good chance.</p>
<p>Just my opinion, but in order of importance:
GPA + pre-reqs < personal statements < IGETC < ECs / Work Experience </p>
<p>It’s not like high school admissions, where they’re much more critical in terms of ECs. Applicants from community college come from many different backgrounds. Some have families, some are working part time/full time, etc so it seems like admissions tend to focus less on ECs than those other areas during the admission process. </p>
<p>For you personally, I’d be pretty surprised if you didn’t get in with a GPA pretty significantly above the average and with all of your prereqs finished.</p>
<p>@Almalex5 I’m also in your postion, but i want Berkeley more than ucla. I entered as much as I could for ec’s
major: history
Overall gpa: 3.82(somewhere around there)
Major gpa: 4.00
Igetc: done
Pre Reqs: all done, except one in progress.
Essay: ok 7/10 I’d say, but maybe I’m being harsh on myself. I have slightly more EC’s then you.</p>
<p>^ doesn’t every college in the world? haha. you should be fine, what sunbum said is correct. if you had to work so many hours a week its obvious that you weren’t sitting on your a** doing nothing while you weren’t at school so I wouldn’t worry too much about it. If anything it means you can juggle school and a job very well.</p>