I am currently a 10th grader in high school, which is fairly competitive and a really tough school in general. I was wondering how holistic UCLA really is? I screwed up 9th grade, due to my lack of trying in classes and studying so I got about a 2.9 GPA. I know that the UC’s don’t put freshmen grades into their GPAs. But I didn’t really try in some classes that I probably should have studied in so currently (haven’t got back all the grades yet) in the first semester of 10th I will have a low 3.0 GPA. I plan on fixing it this semester to get better and I have already been putting steps in place so I expect a higher GPA. However, I have a lot of ecs. By the time I am applying, I would have played on my school golf team for 3+ seasons, and I would also play a lot more tournaments. I also will be certified in a well-respected golf program that teaches youth development as well. I will also have about 2 bachelors degrees from taking guitar tests in electric and acoustic guitar. I would also be apart of my school FBLA club, compete in some events, and I plan of adding debate and some more programming clubs next year, and I will have at least one internship at a company. Finally, I might have my own company/app up and running on both IOS and Andriod. SO I was wondering if my ecs would help get into UCLA, with not that great of a GPA? I am a California resident as well.
If you really want to get into UCLA, you need to do the in class work. You need a high GPA and high test scores. You cannot make up your GPA with a bunch of ECs. The ECs are supplemental. They don’t take the place of grades.
UCLA gets over 100k applicants with strong grades, scores and ECs.
If you really want to go there, you need to work on your grades FIRST.
People who go to UCLA, go to classes, not firstly to EC activities.
If you can’t keep up with the academic pace and do the work at UCLA, they will drop you.
First and foremost your UC GPA and test scores will be highly considered along with your essays and then your EC’s. Doing well on both HS classes and tests should be your priority. EC’s definitely help and that is what can set you apart from the rest of the high performing applicants but there has to be a balance so school work should come first.
UC’s do not use 9th grades in their GPA calculation (only 10-11th) but they are required to make sure you passed all your a-g courses so you need to get your act together since you only have a 1 1/2 years to prove to UCLA that you are a viable applicant. Senior grades are not considered in the admission decisions either.
UC GPA calculator: https://rogerhub.com/gpa-calculator-uc/
- Los Angeles
- Very important: Academic GPA, Application essay, Rigor of secondary school record, Standardized test scores
- Important: Character/personal qualities, Extracurricular activities, Talent/ability, Volunteer work, Work experience
- Considered: First generation college student, Geographical residence
- Note: GPA, test scores, course work, number of and performance in honors and AP courses most important. Essay considered. Strong senior program important. Extracurricular activities, honors and awards also reviewed.