Im really worried that my GPA will affect my chances to get into UCLA.
My current GPA UW is 3.4 and W 3.7
I took 5 AP courses this year, as a junior, and 2 last year. Even though my GPA is low my SAT score is 1580 and ACT score 35 so does this “makeup” for my relatively weak GPA? Leaving aside extracurriculars and other factors with just a GPA of 3.7 weighted and an SAT of 1580 with ACT of 35 what are my chances of getting into UCLA?
Your GPA will not let you in, but you have good chances with mid-tier UCs.
Really? I’ve heard of a 2.9 GPA student get in. If I apply with stellar essays and extracurriculars do you think I can still get in?
It is really hard to tell without knowing extra curriculars. I am also looking at UCLA, and it seems as though they focus on the “total package.” With that being said, I think your testing scores are definitely something that stand out and your class rigor is to be noted… The only thing you can do now is apply and hopefully get in! 
Here are my ECS:
1 year soccer team, 1 year cross country
1 year world affairs club, 2 years Red Cross, ARK, Vietnamese, Indian, and Interact clubs, president of NHS 1 year, president of Model UN 1 year.
Note: I started the first NHS and Model UN clubs at my school.
During the summer I volunteered over 130 hours as a teachers assistant/tutor at a math and coding program.
I also taught English abroad for a week in Nepal as well as volunteering there to help with humanitarian relief and aid to poor villagers.
please can some one give me feedback! I’m so confused and desperate right now…!
I am in a similar situation, so I understand how stressful it can be to have a weak area of your application.
I think you should focus on the best parts of your application, such as your test scores (congrats, btw!)
They will also look at the fact that you challenged yourself while others have a 4.0 because they took easier classes. Don’t stress too much! Remind yourself that there will be people applying to UCLA that have WAY lower test scores and GPAs as you. Focus on the best parts of your application
Minimum UC GPA in-state to apply is 3.0 (minimum barely makes it for UC Merced). If the applicant had a 2.9 GPA, it was either unweighted or more likely a recruited athlete or having a special hook.
As stated above, UCLA will look at the whole package but they along with the rest of the UC’s are very GPA focused. The highest consideration in reviewing an applicant goes as follows: GPA>Test scores>HS course rigor>Essays>EC’s. You are not out of the running for UCLA, but you should consider it a slight Reach. Make sure you apply to a broad range of schools which should include 1-2 Safeties and solid Match schools. College admissions for many schools can be unpredictable, but if you have a well balanced college list, you should have several good schools to choose from come Spring. Good Luck.
Thanks for the feedback! Looks like I’ll really have to sharpen my personal statement and hope for the best!
The 2.9 GPA might also be from a URM (underrepresented minority) or athlete as mentioned above. I notice your ECS can be more consistent rather than i.e., 1 year soccer, 1 year cross country, etc. It would be better 3 - 4 years soccer, 3 - 4 years cross country, 3 - 4 years band, etc. The evaluators like longer term activities rather than jumping from one activity to another.
Re the 2.9 gpa; besides being a star recruited athlete or URM, it could be a transfer student.
I would suggest that you not put your eggs all in one basket.
Some students do get the perfect GPA’s but still aren’t accepted.
Many students don’t seem to grasp the fact that there are a finite number of seats in the classrooms.
If you’ve ever visited UCLA, you can tell that they have too many people there, as noted by the limited parking available on any given day.
The point is, your GPA tells the school a lot about your achievement as a student in a classroom. Since the university conducts their teaching in classrooms, they expect the same behavior in their classes.
You need safeties.
Your EC’s, don’t show a long-term commitment as noted by @UCBUSCAlum.
What most students don’t seem to get is that you are not supposed to have a laundry list of activities.
I had a 3.5 UW and I was accepted. non URM. check my post history and see if it’s relevant to you.
I mean ideally you want to have strong test scores and GPA. Most of the people that get accepted are relatively strong in both areas. (4.0+ GPA and test scores at or above the 90th percentile)
But if you can only have one I would say that having a high GPA and low test scores is probably better than having a low GPA and and high test scores. The latter makes you look lazy unless you have some kind of valid reason to explain the low GPA. And I think most college admissions officers (And most employers) value work ethic over talent/ability.
@kbj500 You may be able to guess your chances by looking at the statistics for freshman who enrolled at UCLA in 2015. Google “UCLA Common Data Set”, choose “2007-8 to present”, and then make sure “Fall 2015” shows as your selection. The GPA percentages are in part C11, but I don’t know if they are unweighted, weighted or UC weighted.
@seniorco2015 I saw in your history that your UC GPA was 3.86, but I think it may have actually been 3.87.