<p>I would argue that it is because their achievements, no matter how menial compared to those actually accepted into Cal/UCLA, are a sharp contrast against the general student population at community colleges. For example, my Philosophy class had forty people ten dropped out because they thought it was too difficult and received Ws, another five pulled on and received Incompletes and more than half have a GPA in the mid 2.0 range. That said, there are quite a few eager students in my class who come to the conclusion that since they are in the top ten percent in the class (3.0-3.4), that every community class has the same kinds of students and therefore, they will be accepted to the UC of their choice.</p>
<p>Plus, it probably doesnt help that there are volunteers from UCLA that set up an information booth every Thursday in the quad. I think just the proximity of the schools booth, the testimonials on the community college website citing the number of students who go to UCLA/Cal, and the fact that there are UC posters splattered all over the school lend the idea that getting accepted isnt too hard after all.</p>
<p>Honestly it is all about entitlement. People think they are deserving of a spot because they pulled B’s and 3 A’s. Not that there is anything wrong with those grades, but they aren’t going to do it for you unless you have an extraordinary story. Most people our age (18-28ish) feel like they are entitled to everything else in life so they think it is the same way with college admissions.</p>
<p>I got into UCLA with a 3.5 but I also applied to a non impacted major but I would have been INSANE to not apply to UCI and other schools.</p>
<p>Yep, people just don’t realize what they’re up against at schools like Berkeley and UCLA. Both schools are top tier colleges and pretty far above the other UCs. I have a 3.9 and I never even considered not applying to other UCs as well. In hindsight, it was a waste of money since I got into Berkeley and UCLA, but I’d rather play it safe than spend another year at a CC.</p>
<p>I have a friend who got into Cal last year with a 3.2. It’s unlikely, but definitely not impossible. Although people with a low GPA should not be surprised when they are rejected, we shouldn’t discourage them from applying in the first place.</p>
<p>lipper: Exactly. It just seems like common sense. Actually, my sister applied only to UCI but she had a 3.8 for Art History. I know that UCI is easier to get into, but even I was stressed out for her.
Considering even 4.0 students get rejected from both schools, it just seems like such a gamble.</p>
<p>I had a 3.57 at my CCC in mechanical engineering. Looking back, I probably could have tagged into Cal, but I decided I didn’t like the environment, and I applied to Davis instead. Don’t get me wrong, Cal is an awesome school and a great place to visit, but I wouldn’t want to live there.</p>
<p>I definitely notice alot of entitlement . I think these tap programs should mention that if you want to go to UCLA A’s should be the rule not the exception on your transcript .</p>
<p>For me I have a 3.0 but I still got into UCSC and UCR , which are perfectly fine .</p>
<p>CAL accepts people with low GPAs if they are able to prove that they’ve been working hard and had significant personal setbacks or an accomplishment after a setback. They are looking for people that persevere and will continue to try to improve their lives and others instead of going to a good school and having parents fund them through.</p>
<p>Keithr726 ,
It doesn’t matter what your story is, the odds of getting in with less then a 3.5 are slim at best . Its fine to apply and just think what if i get accepted. But its plain silly to complain and whine when you get rejected with a 3.0, 3.1 UC GPA .</p>
<p>I thought about writing about how my lifes been so hard, hoping for some pitty from admissions at my UC of choice, but I have no desire to make some else depressed . I wrote a P.S. on why I picked my major and how fun it is to upgrade computers .</p>
<p>are you talking about getting in to UCLA using these tricks? cuz Im applying this fall to UCLA and I am going to be TAP certified after this fall semester, so i guess they will see im TAP certified after I update my application in January or December. Im applying with a geography/environmental studies major (not impacted) and have like a 3.25ish gpa. Also, the reason my GPA is so low is because I had a rough start at my cc, but my personal statement is gonna have stuff about why i messed up so hopefully they see my trend. Still think I have a good shot? thanks</p>
I know someone who had a 3.5 and got into Cal as a Rhetoric major with a large scholarship (she had great student government and volunteering ECs and hard life circumstances, lots of hooks). That, and the fact that every classmate I’ve encountered who has applied has gotten in (these were math/engineering majors) really lowers my expectations of the school. So I don’t really think to judge people with “low” GPAs because I’ve seen others do it. Though to be fair, I’m not sure what the GPAs of the STEM majors were, but these are all students with important personal stories to tell and ultimately I think it was not just their grades but the strength of their character and life experiences which got them in. They are inspiring intelligent people.
I think a 3.5 can be enough to get in if you also have really great stuff going on outside of that. They’re really looking for diversity of thought and experience. Especially life circumstances. After all it’s a holistic process.
With that being said, I’ve encountered people with 4.0s or 3.9s or 3.8s who say they’re not applying to Cal and are aiming to get into UC Davis or UCSD instead. That is their goal, and I’m always a bit surprised that they don’t aim higher when I think they could certainly stand a great chance to get in. However, having visited the school, I can say that personally Cal wasn’t for me so perhaps these people didn’t like the environment or feel as well. Who knows.