I would like to go to UCLA but . . .

Chance Me / Match Me!
1

<p>Hi! I'm an official senior in September and I have many worries for college apps soon! I really would like to attend a UC school and preferably UCLA. I really love the campus and the rigorious reputation that UCLA has and it would be a dream come true to attend (:</p>

<p>The thing I am worried about is not being good enough for them.
Here is a little background information. I'm sorry if it's lengthy.</p>

<p>I am an asian girl, Thai girl to be specific.
I live in a family of four, and will need financial aid to attend college.
We aren't rich and are in the middle class section of society.
My academic career has been bumpy, and now I am curious and worried.
You see my freshman year I was an A+ student and I had regular courses then. I did well all of middle school till then. By sophomore year I kind of slacked off because I thought the classes would still be easy, but it was actually a little more challenging. I only took Honors English and World History. To sum up my sophomore year I was a C+ / B- student.
By junior year I had hoped I would do well because this is the year colleges look at the most. But unfortunately, I fell in love and my grades went down after my heartache. I was fell into depression and received a total of 3 fails on important classes such as AP US History and AP English and regular Algebra 2, and this is all only first semester. I made up English this summer and it was a regular class, they didn't offer AP of course. Now I only have to make up US History but I will do that before college apps are dued. </p>

<p>My GPA is really low, my first ACT test early this year was an 18, my SAT Subject for US History was 510 & English 540, my SAT was 1450. I volunteer at an aquarium throughout the whole year and any community events. </p>

<p>I believe my GPA weighted/unweighted will probably be around 2. something... :(
I am ashamed.</p>

<p>But my main questions is :
Should I even apply to UCLA?
Do I have any chance of being able to attend the school?
What can I do to improve my chances of even attending there?
What recommendation do you have for me?
Should I just apply to a CSU instead? </p>

<p>I'm going to take all the test (ACT/SAT) again in hopes of improvements & I will also add on more extracurricular activties. I hope that with all that I will also write an impressive student essay. </p>

<p>Thank you so much for your help.
I appreciate you reading this and helping.
Have a good day.</p>

2

<p>You should probably not apply to UCLA right now, but if you have your heart set on it, instead of going to a CSU, go to a CC and then do TAG into UCLA.</p>

3

<p>UCLA will not even look at your application if your UC GPA is under 3.0 for in state or 3.4 for out of state.</p>

4

<p>The bad news first :frowning: Since the UC’s appear that they will be making even more cuts next year, probably some in admissions, it would be a very far reach for you to be admitted to UCLA. If you have the money or on fee waiver, it won’t hurt to apply since your already going to be filling out the application but apply to schools that you realistically might get into if you like any others, however most of the UC’s and top CSU’s want to see over a 3.0.<br>
The good news :slight_smile: 1. UCLA looks at the whole person so you never know.
2. If you want something bad enough, there is more than one way to achieve it, like a previous poster said, do a TAG agreement with UCLA and if you do well in CC, your chances of getting into UCLA would be pretty good and in 3 years from now, the economy may have changed and they may be admitting more people again. I don’t know how close you live to UCLA but one idea would be to go to Santa Monica City College. It has a large amount of student go to UCLA.
3. The good thing is that you can learn from mistakes and make changes. Sometimes mistakes lead you to a path you never may have taken. Best of luck next year, you sound like a smart girl.</p>

5

<p>No shot whatsoever at UCLA, go to a CSU or CC if you ultimately want to transfer.</p>

6

<p>Don’t waste money applying to UCLA, good luck with possibly transferring.</p>

7

<p>I already posted my opinion, just posting again to emphasize that you should go into a CC not a CSU if you want to transfer into a UC. It’s much easier from a CC w/ TAG than a CSU even if the CSU is “better”.</p>

8

<p>thank you so much for your advice! it was very useful!</p>

9

<p>really? how is that better, because i have no idea.
thanks for your input, it’s really helpful</p>

10

<p>Don’t give up on your dream. As of now, I don’t think have a chance – UCLA is very competitive, but if you have a good story to tell, MAAYBE, JUST MAYBE they’ll accept you, but I doubt it. </p>

<p>My advice is to go to Community College (forget the stigma; they’re not all that bad, and much cheaper, so you can actually afford to go!) for 1 1/2 - 2 years and then transfer to UCLA. A lot of the CC’s in California have agreements with UCLA that will almost guarantee your acceptance. Just keep your grades up in CC. </p>

<p>Good luck, girl! You can do it :)</p>

11

<p>If you want it bad enough, don’t let anyone stop you! With your current stats, it would be best if you went to a community college and then transfer after two years. Good luck!</p>