…and here I am- under the impression that Davis was supposed to be slightly less selective than San Diego. (Would anyone like to attempt to explain the discussion title?)
After seeing others who were waitlisted as well, I thought the comparison of my scores to theirs was interesting. To be honest, my test scores aren’t the highest, but here’s what I submitted: ACT: 27; GPA: (uw) 3.82, (w) 4.04; AP scores: 4 (English), 2 (Chem, Psych, Art Hist.) I didn’t even submit my SAT subject test scores for Chem (530) and Bio (600)
I also applied for the Biochemistry major, which I suppose is quite a bit competitive. Still, I am shocked that I got into San Diego because I thought it would be over after the waitlist from Davis. I guess what might have set me apart was the fact that I did so may different ECs (band, orchestra, Academic Decathlon, STEM Academy, LGBT club, tutoring, etc.) and stressed my importance of being a global citizen and social activist.
I don’t even know. I’m not even complaining either- SD is pretty much my dream college. But I’m still curious about how I got placed on the waitlist… maybe I’ll apply for the waitlist and see what happens?
The admissions process is very weird. I have better stats than you and I got waitlisted for UCSD, and UCSB. I didn’t apply to Davis though. I guess your essays probably just spoke to one of the admissions officers at UCSD. Good for you 
Why apply for the waitlist if UCSD is your dream school?
In any case, this happens. It’s not as if all colleges admit from one master list where the top school makes their pick, then the second school, etc.
Different schools look for different thing, have different criteria, may have differently impacted majors, and there’s some luck involved in the process as well.
Thanks @rejectionssuck
You got waitlisted for UCSB?? I should probably mention that I also got into UCSB and UCSC. Now I’m just waiting on UCB, UCLA, UCI, and Stanford.
This admission process is very, very weird.
@Mulan97
The admissions process at each of the UC’s works independently from one another. Meaning that a qualified applicant could be denied from UCI, UCSB, and UCSD, but then get accepted to UCLA. Or, in your case, waitlisted at UC Davis and accepted to UC San Diego.
The explanation is very simple. They have more qualified applicants than slots, so some qualified applicants at each will go to the waitlist. They are holistic admissions so it is not entirely numbers driven, each campus with have a bit different blend of applicants to choose from to build their class. They make decisions independently from each other.
Please don’t clog the system by accepting waitlist you have no intention of accepting.