Question about UCLA supplemental questionnaire

I got an email offering the option supplemental questionnaire, most likely because I wrote about a serious hardship and they want further explanation. I don’t mind giving that, but then there’s a second part asking for senior year grades and uhhh I’ve sorta been slacking haha. Dropped from a 4.0 to getting three Bs last semester. Do I have to enter my grades in too or is that optional? If not optional, would you advise me to submit the questionnaire at all.

As a teacher of seniors in high school, I can offer an analogy that might be helpful: when I offer a student the opportunity to revise an essay to deepen their understanding and demonstrate a higher level of understanding (and, therefore a higher grade) and they don’t, I either assume that they forgot or that they chose not to (too busy, not of interest to them, etc.). I never take their decision personally, of course, but you might want to consider the messages you are potentially signaling by not taking them up on this opportunity. As for the grade request, I would think that not submitting grades would suggest they are lower than what’s typical for you. Could you submit them along with a brief statement that you are committed, second semester, to achieving your potential?

Completely agree with @inkhat and their assessment of why you should submit the supplemental and your grades.

@Gumbymom heyy I just got the supplemental questionnaire and I was wondering if you got in? Also any tips ?

I am a parent not a student.

Here are the five specific conditions under which an applicant might be selected

for an augmented/supplemental review.

 Evidence of focus on an area of special talent which may have limited a student’s

time to participate in a broader range of activities.

 Evidence of character traits that imply a strong likelihood of making a significant

contribution to campus life.

 Evidence of significant academic achievement or the potential for academic

achievement at the University in spite of extraordinary or compound

disadvantage or learning difference, or physical disability or other unusual

circumstances.

 Evidence of significant improvement in the academic record accompanied by one

or both of the following: reasons for the initial poor performance; and/or sustained

and in-depth participation in educational outreach programs, which demonstrate

the applicant’s commitment to succeed academically within a challenging

environment.

 Evidence of relative lack of access to, counseling about, or support to take

college preparatory, honors, Advanced Placement (AP) or International

Baccalaureate (IB) classes or required college entrance examinations.

TIPS regarding your response

  1. Be aware of your tone, stay positive, “Explain” without “Complaining”.
  2. If the supplement says, “Optional” letter of recommendation be sure to include one.
  3. Ask your teacher or counselor in person, if possible, if they would be willing to write. you a great letter of recommendation (if possible, be prepared and bring a copy of your transcript and student brag sheet with you when you ask for a letter of recommendation).
  4. Pay attention to the due date (usually 10 days after you receive it).
  5. Try to be as detailed, accurate and complete as you can about your situation.[quote=“Gumbymom, post:5, topic:2082097, full:true”]
    I am a parent not a student.

Here are the five specific conditions under which an applicant might be selected

for an augmented/supplemental review.

 Evidence of focus on an area of special talent which may have limited a student’s

time to participate in a broader range of activities.

 Evidence of character traits that imply a strong likelihood of making a significant

contribution to campus life.

 Evidence of significant academic achievement or the potential for academic

achievement at the University in spite of extraordinary or compound

disadvantage or learning difference, or physical disability or other unusual

circumstances.

 Evidence of significant improvement in the academic record accompanied by one

or both of the following: reasons for the initial poor performance; and/or sustained

and in-depth participation in educational outreach programs, which demonstrate

the applicant’s commitment to succeed academically within a challenging

environment.

 Evidence of relative lack of access to, counseling about, or support to take

college preparatory, honors, Advanced Placement (AP) or International

Baccalaureate (IB) classes or required college entrance examinations.

TIPS regarding your response

  1. Be aware of your tone, stay positive, “Explain” without “Complaining”.
  2. If the supplement says, “Optional” letter of recommendation be sure to include one.
  3. Ask your teacher or counselor in person, if possible, if they would be willing to write. you a great letter of recommendation (if possible, be prepared and bring a copy of your transcript and student brag sheet with you when you ask for a letter of recommendation).
  4. Pay attention to the due date (usually 10 days after you receive it).
  5. Try to be as detailed, accurate and complete as you can about your situation.
    [/quote]