<p>I know for a university like UCLA, it's strongly recommended to take the most rigorous course load available at your high school. My question is just how important is that? Is it a deal breaker? Let's say a student only took a "demanding" course load but not the most rigorous (some IB and honors classes, but not the maximum available), would it automatically rule them out even if they had a top GPA and SAT scores?
Or would it just be one disadvantage (albeit significant)? </p>
<p>For a specific scenario, let's say the student only took regular classes their freshman year. During sophomore year they enrolled in 2 honors classes (english and history). By junior year half of their classes (3) were IB, and by senior year all classes were IB. On top of that they were not a full IB diploma candidate (of course) but only IB certificate.</p>
<p>It isn't the most rigorous but it's not the easiest route..would they have no chance at UCLA?</p>
<p>Of course you still have a chance, just get as close to a 4.0 as possible (or just GET a 4.0) and you should be set for that part. Plus, you’d probably need some time-consuming ECs to justify not taking the most “rigorous” curriculum offered to you.</p>
<p>Yes you have a chance. It could only help to take those classes though. I’m no admissions officer but I can give you my experience:</p>
<p>At my school, we had 3 types of students: College Prep, Honors, and AP students. Only the students who generally took AP classes got into UCLA (athletes/minorities got into some other good schools)</p>
<p>Remember, you are mainly compared against your peers. The UC’s have profiles on every school. They understand that not every school has IB/ as many AP classes/etc. So relative to your PEERS, how competitive are you? If there’s 10 students at your school who took more IB classes yet have a similar GPA to you, you bet they are going to be pushed ahead of you.</p>
<p>And of course, the SAT is another factor where you will be compared against them. I’m not saying you will automatically get in if you are #1 at your school, but it’s a lot better to stand out from your peers. Of course, don’t load up on IB classes and get B’s…that’s not helping your case</p>
<p>Anyway, IMO why not challenge yourself? UCLA is the most applied to school in the country, and it has one of the lowest admissions rates in CA (even lower than Berkeley). You want to make yourself as competitive as possible. Push yourself to do well in class. To be honest, AP/IB are not bad at all compared to college classes.</p>