How important is Band Appeal and Early College in UCLA Admissions?

Colleges and Universities A-Z University of California - Los Angeles
1

Just finished junior year
SAT: 1500
GPA: 3.4 (10-11 UW), 4.08 W
Have not taken Subject tests yet
Ap: APUSH, APP1, APPC, all scores pending (For senior year, AP Chem and Calc AB, Self Studying Ap Music Theory)
Major: Mathematics for computation
I did early college at my highschool, which is a program that lets you graduate with an Associates Degree from highschool, from taking college courses at a local community college
ECs: Eagle scout, Internship at USC relating to Chemistry, 4 years of Marching band as a sousaphone, section leader for 1 year, CM LVL 8 for Piano, Classical Karnatic Music for 9 years, KCA (Kannada Cultural Association) Youth committee president for 1 year (worked on organizing fundraisers, community activities), wind ensemble at school, trumpet for 4 years, Tae Kwon Do for 6 years and 2nd degree black belt (Not sure if this counts because it was in middle school)
Hooks: First gen, parents were immigrants from India,

I have some communication with some other UCLA band members who play sousaphone, and they said I have an okay shot at getting in, but Im really not sure because of how my GPA is low compared to the average UCLA Applicant.

Do you guys think I have a shot at UCLA, or in general any other UCs? Are there any other things I could do to improve my resume?

PS: I wasn’t sure if this is important, but for the USC Internship, I have done 2 years, but I dont have much to show in terms of projects, just confirmation from the head of the chemistry department. The Intership only has 3 highschool students who just help out, but the work seems to be pretty important, the head of the project worked with a team to win a nobel prize in Carbocations via superacids, and the project right now is replacing normal fuel like gasoline with ethanol. Would mentioning or going into detail about this in my transcript be beneficial?

2

Not understanding your band appeal question - that only comes into play if you are rejected or waitlisted on your initial application. If/when you are accepted to UCLA, you then audition for the band - but that is separate from the admissions process.

3

Thank you for clearing that up! After the rejection, how impactful is band appeal in the appeal proccess?

4

My daughter got off the waitlist via the band appeal years ago and has thoroughly enjoyed her time in the marching band. Not sure how effective the appeal is - knowing would take a lot information that we do not have - but it is certainly worth a try if you are waitlisted or outright rejected. You certainly have the academic chops to attend UCLA based on your early college experience, so be optimistic on your chances but have a backup plan (like applying to other UC schools).

Honestly, nobody here can “chance you” with any reliability unless you are a rainbow unicorn - first generation college student, 1600 SAT, saved the whales, Intel award winner, and internationally published author :wink: Then you’ve got pretty good chances anywhere… Other than that there are simply too many unknown factors.

Cast a wide net. Appeal if necessary, but ultimately fall in love with and attend the school that wants you.

5

What is your UC GPA? https://rogerhub.com/gpa-calculator-uc/

6

3.71

7

@NovakStorm you can find out more info regarding the band appeal process on their webpage. Look up UCLA band. There was a separate appeal form to fill out if you had been either waitlisted or denied for admittance. Once you completed filling out the band appeal form, you would submit an audition tape (usually via YouTube). I know the band appeal form said you need a GPA of 4.0 or higher. Hope this information helps