How competitive is getting into UCLA?

Hi everyone, so I'm trying to figure out my college list, and I'm really interested in UCLA. Can anyone give me some insight into how competitive it is to get accepted? What do they look for in applicants?

Hi there! UCLA is definitely a competitive school, with an acceptance rate of about 10% in recent applications cycles, making it one of the most selective public universities in the United States. It's also important to keep in mind that the acceptance rate varies across majors, and there might be differences in competition depending on whether you're an in-state or out-of-state applicant.

UCLA admits its students through a holistic review process. This means they look at multiple aspects of your application, including:

1. Academic achievement: Your GPA, course rigor, and achievements in school are vital. UCLA values students who challenge themselves and maintain strong academic records. Most admitted students have a GPA in the top 9 percent of their high school class.

2. Extracurricular involvement: UCLA looks for students who are actively engaged outside the classroom. They value applicants with a “spike” in a specific area, who can demonstrate skill, passion, and potential in that field. Your "spike" helps set you apart from even other highly qualified applicants.

3. Personal insight questions: UCLA requires students to answer four out of eight available personal insight questions, which allow you to tell your unique story. Make sure to choose prompts that showcase different aspects of your personality and experiences, as this is your opportunity to let admissions officers understand your passions, growth, and how you might contribute to the campus community. CollegeVine's blog contains detailed guidance on how to tackle the PIQs: https://blog.collegevine.com/how-to-write-the-university-of-california-essays.

4. Letters of recommendation: UCLA usually doesn't ask for letters of recommendation, but they might request them for certain programs or in specific situations to learn more about you. If you are asked to submit letters, choose recommenders who can speak to your abilities, character, and achievements in detail.

In conclusion, UCLA is a competitive school, but remember that the strength of your candidacy depends on your own accomplishments, not the competitiveness of the school as a whole. Aim to present a comprehensive, engaging, and genuine picture of yourself, which showcases your academic achievements, extracurricular interests, personal strengths, and potential contributions to UCLA's campus community. Good luck with your college application process!