I didn't get into UCLA with a 3.95 GPA?

I applied as a Psychology major as a transfer student with a 3.95 GPA, member of Phi Theta Kappa, Honors Student, CCCP, with work experience, and lots of extracurricular activities. I am honestly shocked I did not get in. All my counselors were sure I’d get in. I only had two major prep courses left, and I was told by my school’s UCLA rep that as long there was not more than two, I would still remain competitive. I was admitted as a Gender Studies major, and UCLA is my dream school. Looking at the past stats for Psychology, their average GPA admitted is a 3.7. What gives?? Should I appeal? Does anyone have any idea of what might have happened?

I’m so sorry to hear that. Maybe the major was full? Or maybe the other applicants finished all of their prep courses? Congratulations, though, on the Gender Studies. Hopefully others will chime in re: appealing. GL!

https://www.universityofcalifornia.edu/infocenter/transfers-major says that, for fall 2018, UCLA pre-psychology admits had 25th-75th percentile GPA of 3.78-4.00, with an admit rate of 20% (351 out of 1,757).

UCLA gender studies was less competitive, with 25th-75th percentile GPA of 3.38-3.75, with an admit rate of 48% (96 out of 198).

Of course, admissions for fall 2019 could have been different from fall 2018.

Your paragraph is disjointed. Did you get in for your Gender Studies major instead of you primary and that is your complaint? Or did you not get into UCLA at all?

Sorry, I got in with Gender Studies. But I do not understand why because of my GPA and the programs I was in. I know a girl who got in with a 3.5 which is why I’m dumbfounded.

Definitely could have been different, but my GPA was so high. And considering that I was an Honors Student in CCCP and Phi Theta Kappa? With a bunch of ecs?? Idk.

It seems like you haven’t processed that pre-psych is a very competitive transfer major…as linked above, for 2018/19 the acceptance rate was 20%. UCLA simply can’t accommodate all the very good students who applied.

Have you been accepted elsewhere as a pre-psych/psych major? Note that if you go to UCLA as a gender studies major, you can’t change to psychology at a later date. http://www.admission.ucla.edu/prospect/Adm_tr/lsmajors/psyc-pre.htm

Unless there was some mistake in your transcripts, or other application anomaly, I don’t see any basis for appeal.

Asking other people on CC… Is it possible that the other girl didn’t list a second choice major so she got her only choice (Psychology)… and perhaps by listing Gender Studies, the OP was given her second choice to accommodate others into UCLA? And if so… is it then a bad idea to list a second choice major in your application?

just out of curiosity, which two pre-reqs were you missing? quant-related?

Bio and stats. I attempted bio in Fall but due to personal reasons had to drop.

Yes, I have been admitted for Psych to other UCs. Are you sure transfers can change their majors? Even to a highly selective major? Either way, the financial aid they offered me was absolute garbage so it looks like I am going to another UC anyways.

You were missing two classes. That’s why you didn’t get in.