So for a while now, I’ve really wanted to attend UCLA, but I was rejected without the opportunity of being on the waitlist. I thought I was a perfectly viable applicant too, with:
3.85 unweighted GPA (4.54 weighted),
2310 SAT score,
over 700 on three SAT Subject Tests,
the National Merit Finalist Award,
and I was in the IB program at my school.
Aside from academics, I had many extracurriculars, including fundraising for charity events, cooking at homeless shelters, being vice president of the JSA chapter at my school, being a part of high school band for 4 years, membership in a few other clubs, etc. I also play the violin at an advanced level, and gave a link to a solo concert I performed in. My personal statements were good in my teachers’ opinions. I don’t understand how I wasn’t even waitlisted, and how I didn’t get into UCSD either? Do any of you have any ideas? Because I’m totally dumfounded. What do you think are my chances for Berkeley or UCSB?
Which major did you apply to?
These are rather impressive stats, so I’m guessing one of the following things went wrong.
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Your teacher recommendations weren’t very good. (They may have represented you as arrogant, overly-competitive, or something else colleges don’t look for)
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You essays weren’t as good as you thought. (Admissions officers are not English teacher, they look for different things!)
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You didn’t show depth or passion (At top schools like UCLA, Berkeley, and other UCs, they not only want students who are academically strong, they want students who show depth and passion on a deep level. Not just learning to get into a good college, but learning for the sake of learning)
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Worst of all - maybe you’re just unlucky (Maybe you were compared to a relatively strong group of applicants, and you looked weaker compared to them, maybe the admissions officers just didn’t like your essays, or maybe you were just SO impressive, they thought you were using their school as a safety and rejected you to protect their yield rate (it’s rare, but it happens!))
Sorry for your unfortunate situation. If it was one of the first 3 reasons, I wouldn’t put your money on Berkeley. However, you do have a rather good chance of admission to UCSB, so good luck!
UCLA had around 100,000 applicants this year. I’ve talked to a few very highly qualified kids who were rejected. Tough break, for sure. You’re a terrific applicant, though, and I’m sure you’ll get some great news soon.
College admissions can be a real crapshoot especially when considering colleges so high in ranking (>20). Don’t get me wrong, you are an outstanding applicant. I don’t know UCLA’s thought process, but it’s possible that they don’t see you as a “fit,” despite excellent attributes.
If you applied to Berkeley L&S, you are competitive (but Berkeley’s a crapshoot for most everyone). Depending on the major you applied to, you should get into Santa Barbara.