Why did I get wait listed at UCI and UCSD?

State Forums
1

<p>I got into UC Davis and UC Santa Barbara, how did I not get into San Diego or Irvine? I'm really frustrated, and I know how much more prestigious Davis is supposed to be than any of these UCs (despite its "less than ideal" location as some would say). I kind of understand about San Diego actually, since their amount of applicants was really high this year. But all 4 of these were safety schools, I'm still waiting on UCLA (1st choice). Is it possible that they somehow knew that they were safety schools and didn't admit me to ensure more spots doff other students? Do you think there's any chance for UCLA? I've pretty much lost all hope.</p>

<p>Stats:
W GPA: 4.26
SAT: 2130 (did great on math and writing, not so great on critical reading)
ACT: 32
Tons of community service
4 year cheerleader (varsity 2 years)
NHS
Key Club
Stand up to Cancer (led a big fundraiser with my cheer team for them as well)
1st choice major: electrical engineering
2nd choice: mechanical engineering
Ethnicity: caucasian
Also I should point out that I'm a female applying for engineering (don't know if that gives me any advantage but I doubt it) And I live in LA county but I don't know if they care that I'm local or not.</p>

2

<p>Also I got a 710 on the sat II physics and 700 on math 2</p>

3

<p>I am no expert, but I think it was the major. From what I have gathered on these forums, if you selected engineering and your alternate was also engineering, then your chances of getting waitlisted or rejected are higher. You have nothing to lose by APPEALING and sending them a passionate letter of what you can do for the university and highlight your 1st semester/winter senior grades or current progress report. Good luck! </p>

4

<p>San Diego is the most difficult to be admitted to of those four UCs; Davis is roughly equal to SB in incoming student stats and is definitely not the “most prestigious.” You look like you are well qualified for all of them, but engineering is tough to get into in all of them.
Congratulations, they all are great schools and there is still hope for UCLA! </p>

5

<p>You’ll most likely get rejected from UCLA if you applied to its engineering school. You’re way below in averages for UCLA engineering.</p>

6

<p>What is your unweighted GPA? That probably is the explanation for your rejections. </p>

<p>You should have chosen an alternate major that was outside engineering – you likely would have been accepted.</p>

7

<p>@SoCalDad2 my unweighted gpa is 3.73, and I agree that I should’ve picked a different second choice major. I wish I had realized that sooner.</p>

8

<p>What is your UC weighted GPA?
and there is no appreciable difference in the “prestige” of these mid-level UCs no matter how anyone tries to spin it. I have been a manager in a scientific field for more than 25 years in California and when looking at applicants would consider them equal.</p>

9

<p>

</p>

<p>Most people would disagree.</p>

10

<p>

</p>

<p>For UCSD, at least, this wouldn’t have mattered. You’re admitted to the school and then to the major. It wouldn’t have mattered what major you picked. You would have just been admitted as undeclared if you weren’t accepted as an engineering major.</p>

<p>

</p>

<p>Many would disagree, but if this is how you feel, then what does it matter? You have good options. Brush it off, and move on with your life.</p>

11

<p>

</p>

<p>Really? Nobody in Southern California knows about USC, UCSD or Caltech?</p>

<p>I live in the Bay Area, and would guess that more people here are familiar with SF State and San Jose State than UC Davis.</p>

12

<p>The schools have different admissions personalities imho. Some are more stat driven, some less, etc.</p>

13

<p>UC Davis is a very good school, but it’s in a state with lots of excellent universities. Unless you’re an alum, most people consider it middle of the pack when it comes to the UCs - below Cal, UCLA and San Diego.</p>

<p>USC and UCLA are better known to the general public for sports than academics. It’s the same with Notre Dame and Duke. They may prefer to be known for academics, but the fact remains that those schools are given huge exposure because of sports, and so are well known across the country. (BTW - USC’s admission standards are much more rigorous than UC Davis’.)</p>

<p>Why would anyone outside of California have heard of UC Davis? </p>

14

<p>OP, congratulations on your acceptance to some excellent schools. These days, no UC is a safety for anyone; there are so many applicants, not just in CA, but worldwide. No use wasting any more time thinking about the ones you did not get in. Turn your attention to the ones that want you. Davis and UCSB are both impressive to employers (my husband hired a Davis grad just this week!).</p>