How hard is it to make UCLA Business-Econ?

Hi,

I am a first year community college student, my plans and ambitions were to attend USC as a business administration major, but being rejected 2 years in a row now,(second time was less than 30 units so took highschool/sat scores) makes me feel hesitant that I will be accepted the third time, so I want to leave myself with options and apply to UC’s as well for my junior year standing.

I have a 3.85 gpa right now, and project something along those lines, maybe lower depending on my future math grades lol

How hard is it to make UCLA business-econ? As I was so sure I wanted to attend USC, I didn’t apply for my community college’s honors/TAP with UCLA when I first started community college. Will that come back to bite me in the ass? Is it possible to get accepted with a GPA around 3.7 or so without being in the program? I know USC focuses primary on the rigor of your courses and GPA, but do the UC schools also take into consideration internships, and extracurricular? I also heard business/econ is the most competitive major to apply to, so I’m wondering what exactly they are looking for.

Thank you all for your help

First of all, keep your GPA high. A 3.85 puts you within the threshold of students accepted to Business programs (consider applying to Haas, UCI, and possibly UCR as well).

The 25th percentile for students accepted into UCLA’s program is a 3.9, and the 75th percentile is a 4.0 (https://www.admission.ucla.edu/prospect/adm_tr/Tr_Prof15_mjr.htm). So if you want a good shot at UCLA, try to bring your GPA up. Work hard in your math classes and be sure to do well - and you can take easier, filler classes to boost your GPA. The difference between a 3.7 and a 3.85 is VERY substantial when applying to competitive programs.

No, not doing TAP isn’t the end of the world, although it certainly would have boosted your chances.

UCs do not take into account rigor of courses, to my knowledge - just your GPA is what matters (and completion of required courses, check assist.org).

Good ECs like internships, club officer positions, and/or jobs are pretty much necessary to get into Business programs like that of UCLA and UCB.

Demonstrate passion for your major and clear interest, and you’ll have a good shot (but keep your GPA high, and perhaps even try to improve it). You should start writing your personal statements (or are they personal interest questions now?) over the summer.

I got waitlisted with a 3.95/tons of work experience/good essay

I got rejected with a 3.89 GPA.

@Immensethinker24 @itakenotes Super bummed to hear that both of you didn’t get a straight up acceptance. Did you get accepted to any other schools?

@silvermansachs I got accepted to Irvine and San Diego, gave my SIR to San Diego. Still waiting for UCLA AND USC.

@silvermansachs same with @Immensethinker24 except I didn’t apply for USC.

@itakenotes you submitted the SIR for SD?

@Immensethinker24 I did for Management Science in Muir.

Im also in Muir, have u visit the campus yet? @itakenotes

@Immensethinker24 Nope you?

@itakenotes Yes, you should visit you’ll like it.

As a UCLA student, getting in is the easy part. Getting past that “pre” status is the hard part.

Best of luck.