Along with others, UCLA is my dream school. I do believe my grades have screwed up most of my chances of being accepted, although I have worked to the best of my abilities, and i've put more effort into everything I do involving school. I do ask for an honest opinion please.
9-11 grade GPA (Weighted): 3.78
9-11 grade GPA (Unweighted): 3.53
12 semesters of honors, 4 semesters of AP, 20 a-g courses completed
Clubs: Interact (Dedicated to volunteering), DECA (Distributive Education Clubs of America), FCCLA (Family, Community and Carrier Leaders of America), Latinos Unidos (Spreads the diversity of the Latinos).
Leadership position: So far 2 year presidency of FCCLA
Hours of community service (starting freshman year): 83 and counting
This included a mission trip taken to Peru last summer which added 35 hours. (Public health)
Thank you :>
I forgot to mention I will be a first generation high school grad.
While I cannot say that you cannot get in, keep in mind that a very strong majority of UCLA admits have well over 4.0 weighted GPAs and the average unweighted GPA I believe hovers around 3.8-3.92ish. I believe that last year’s were 3.91 or something. So just based off your grades and course rigor given the weighting, UCLA is almost certainly a reach school. And although I don’t see any SAT scores here, I do not believe that SAT scores would be enough to make up for the grades and increase your chances by much. Your academic record is extremely important to UC admissions. Perhaps an upward trend would do it, but again, don’t expect much unless it’s very significant. From my experience (UCLA admit '14 cycle) and from what I’ve heard, the UC system really likes upward trends, but on the other hand, downward trends do just the opposite if they’re significant. A 0.1 point drop might not be a big deal, or even a 0.3 drop if it’s like 4.0 to 3.7 cause a 3.7 unweighted is still quite good, or “alright” among admittees. But a 3.6 to 3.3? From “just above average” to “significantly below average” even among the applicant pool? That changes things.
Furthermore, while your extracurriculars do demonstrate significant commitments, nothing “jumps out” at me as something that could necessarily make up for your grades. I don’t see national/state level competitions or details on what you did at the clubs you participated in and/or led. If that stuff is missing here, make sure you highlight your biggest accomplishments on the application portal so that they know you did something for the community.
I didn’t mean to be harsh or a dream killer when talking about the way UCLA is a reach for you and I apologize if you took these words as an unfair criticism. I hope this post provided helpful information for you. Best of luck to you and your applications!
EDIT: I do remember that the UCs do consider your 1st generation status, which should significantly improve your chances. But I do not believe that makes up for your grades enough to push UCLA into a high/mid match range.
If anyone wants to play the chances game with me, here is my thread #shamelessplug:
http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/what-my-chances/1749840-am-i-competitive-for-upenn-johns-hopkins-and-cornell.html#latest
Thank you so much. I appreciate your honesty. This gave me a reality check that was much appreciated!