Out-of-State African American's chances at UCLA

Chance Me / Match Me!
1

<p>Hey guys,
I am a non-CA resident (ohio), but UCLA (UCB, UCSD, and UCSB are top choices too) is my dream school. Please, if u can, review my stats and give me your opinions on my chances for UCLA.</p>

<p>first off...let me explain my background, as it could contribute to my chances...i am an African-American male (specifically, Sudanese-American). I lived in Saudi Arabia and Egypt before i moved here about seven years ago, but i have the US citizenship. my father is from Sudan and my mother is form Egypt. </p>

<p>School stats:
GPA: unweighted 3.9 (only got one B+ in AP Euro)
SAT: 1960 (M: 660, CR: 600, W: 700)...will be retaking in october
ACT: taking in october
SAT II: US History: 750, Physics: 630, Math 2: november
AP classes: by the end of my senior year, i will have taken 10 AP classes and 3 Honors classes </p>

<p>clubs:
Model UN, JSA, Spanish CLub, Key Club (community service club), Diversity and Awareness Team, FCCLA, and helped found this club called SOTENI, which raises AIDS awareness in Africa and raises money. </p>

<p>honors/Awards:
National Honor Society, Spanish National Honor Society, Bausch and Lomb Honorary Science Award, Scholastic Achievement Award in Spanish, Red award of excellence for 4.0 GPA, and was invited into many of the NYLC and other leadership seminars but couldn't attend because of money, (should i include National Scociety of High School Schoalrs?)</p>

<p>extracurriculars:
I played tennis for 3 years on the tennis team (won the Junior Varsity city doubles championship). i love to play squash (maybe i cud join the berkeley or ucla team if they have one). every summer, i go to Saudi Arabia and i volunteer at the King Faisal Specialist Hospital, so i have a lot of documented hours there. i also volunteer at other organizatios such as Operation Smile and do walks/marathons and other community service things. i tutor people in my school, especially science, in all subjects. finally, i work at Kumon Math and Reading Center, where i am the Head Tutor there. i tutor kids of all ages and all levels in english and math. I also do the computer work and "administrative work" since i am the chief tutor. i have been working there for six years, even though i wasnt officially paid until mid-sophomore year. </p>

<p>those are basically the main points of my credentials....so what are my chances? i know its really difficult for out of state people to get in, but UCLA is really my dream school. </p>

<p>......oh yea, one more thing....my parents are very reluctant to send me away to college because of money so they said the only way i can go out of state is if i get a full or almost full tuition, becuase i basically have a full ride at university of cincinnati, but i would be miserable there. my dad is the only significant income in the family and theres five dependents on the tax form. i have one sister in medical school and a brother in undergrad planning on going to medical school. will my african-american status and family status help me, along with other outside scholarships i might apply to?
thanks for all ur help.....</p>

2

<p>i plan to either double major in chemistry and spanish or to major in chemistry and minor in Spanish and plan to go to med school.... is chemsitry a good choice for UCLA or is there a better science related major?</p>

3

<p>It's unfortunate that the UCs are your dream schools as they are among the few that can't give you an AA advantage. While I think they bend for in state kids, I wouldn't count on it out of state.</p>

<p>Also, financial aid is very limited for oos students yet the UCs will cost you as much as top private colleges ($40K/yr) and 4 year grad rates are low.</p>

<p>There are many fine schools that would be happy to have you and where you would benefit from AA. Financial aid is a whole different issue and will hinge on income and assets. For merit aid, apply to schools where you are clearly over qualified.</p>

4

<p>MEI8828:</p>

<p>UCLA: Reach (out of state)
UCB: Reach (out of state)
UCSD: Slight Reach (out of state)
UCSB: Match (out of state)</p>

5

<p>You have a good chance for all of those schools, make sure u have a bombass essay</p>

6

<p>my parents are very reluctant to send me away to college because of money so they said the only way i can go out of state is if i get a full or almost full tuition,>></p>

<p>Don't want to burst your bubble but the UC's tend to rely heavily on loans not grants for out of state students in terms of financial aid packaging. There is some merit money available but your stats are on the low side for that as an out of state student. Doesn't mean you shouldn't give it a shot, but you could do much better elsewhere if you need significant financial aid. I would, for example, urge you to take a look at the University of Southern California as a possible option. Good luck.</p>

7

<p>i am an entering freshman at ucla! i love that school! you have a great chance! i strongly advise you to talk about your background in your personal statement (especially living in africa). talk about the opportunities the the uc's have to offer. do not just address ucla because cal will not like that. i have noticed that cal accepts more African Americans than ucla. do not accept another uc thinking that you will be able to trasnfer. it is extremely difficult to transfer from one uc to another because they essential offer the same thing just some are better equiped than others and have more prestige. your essay is critical. it must be clear and crisp, truthfull, and do not give a sob story. they hate that. be real and show them who you are. i wish you the best and good luck.</p>